Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you in music. They tend to be tuned for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control apps.
The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair with ANC and a mobile application for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. The headphones have a new design and have improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but they have higher-end sound quality and better materials.
At just 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're listening to or reading the audiobook. The headband is supple, and it has an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.
With an audio quality that will please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass but is not overpowering or harsh. They feature a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation, which lets you hear details in your music. The earcups also feature touch controls that are easy and responsive to use. Swipe up or down to change the volume. uk headphones can also swipe forward to listen to the next track and reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices at the same time and, thanks to a built-in sensor, they will automatically pause the playback when removed from your head. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones.
They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of premium fabric, and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.
The WH1000XM5 is a great mic for voice calls. There's no static or muffled audio in the background. The noise cancellation performance is top-notch, and they're a good fit for public transport or the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, delivering premium performance and features. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 comes with premium performance and features, including 24-bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled inside each earcup, offer more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone allows you to control music and calls from any device compatible with it.
The headphones sport a similar sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, as well as a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium but don't feel tight. The new shape and form was refined over a period of time and offers a comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't force too hard on my skull, which is a rotund one.
They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough for carrying in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place for long listens. A strong hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in an enclosed case.
The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio aswell as tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful gesture with a green flash to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.
The B&W app offers similar controls to the buttons on the hardware including bass and treble adjustment and assigning action buttons wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and more. When you play music on your iPhone, the app displays album covers and track titles. The most popular extras like music presets and soundscapes mode are missing, however.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones by Sennheiser and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction has been optimized to achieve a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic sound you'll hear with an open-back pair of headphones.
The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms, so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier that can drive it to the levels you want without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended since this can double the output power and improve the overall sound quality.
These headphones are made for professional use. They have a steel frame and a mixture of leather and plastic padding. The design is simple and doesn't appear like a fancy pair of headphones, but they feel luxurious in the palm and are built well. They come with a carry case, an extra audio cable and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.
The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with naturality, though they are a little lighter on bass. This is due to the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent, with minor drops and peaks. The treble area is extremely linear, which means you won't have issues with cutting sibilants, or the upper impact of a snare drum.
Even with the absence of booming bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when required. These headphones are still great for those who enjoy rock music with punchy basses however they might not sound as great as other models on this list.
These Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic midrange. They are a linear pair with a slight scoop on the upper mids that won't be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations which is a nice bonus.
The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top pick due to their exceptional audio quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are costly, but they will last you for years and perform well in any situation.
Anker Soundcore Life q20
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will do the trick for anyone looking to pass the time or simply wants a low-cost set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that will give them some protection when you toss them into your bag, and their battery can last for multiple long haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles when on the plane, but their audio profile is a little warm and bass-heavy.
The Life Q20's controls can be easy to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup there are buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function control that activates your phone's voice assistant and switches on Anker BassUp (more about this later). You can also make use of the built-in microphone to make hands-free calls with your phone.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and rich listening experience thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. These headphones have a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancellation is designed to filter out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sound.
One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while gaming on your PC.
The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam ear cups are soft enough to be worn for long periods without discomfort. The earcups are able to rotate so that they can adjust to the unique shape of your head, so you can have a comfortable fit. You can also listen to your music with a 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB cable is provided for charging the battery.