Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears, allowing you to be immersed in sound. They are generally designed for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.
The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes 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 WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's latest addition to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation lineup. They feature a new design, upgraded ANC and a host of the same features that their predecessors had but with premium materials and slightly more premium sound quality.
They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250g. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. The headband is supple, and has a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.
With a sound quality that will please those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but it isn't overpowering or harsh. The earphones feature a wide and spacious soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This allows you to be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups also have touch controls, which are easy to use. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song and backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones can be connected to two devices at once and will automatically pause playback when you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can also turn on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup and allowing you to hear what's going on around you without removing the headphones.
Other helpful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of premium fabric, and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is awe-inspiring. In our standard test we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC switched on which is more than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.
The WH1000XM5 is a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There is no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise-canceling is also excellent, and these headphones are ideal for public transportation or the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, delivering top-quality performance and features. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit, optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are precisely positioned inside each earcup for an even more focused and immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone lets you control calls and music from any compatible device.
These headphones have a similar sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings that wrap around the earcups as well as a silver sheen for the headband. The memory foam earcups fit well but not too tight on the cranium. The new form and shape was developed over the course of several months and provides a soft clamping pressure that doesn't force too hard on my skull.
At 10.8 grams (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and slightly smaller. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them for easy transport in an enclosed case.
They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for both high-resolution audio and tight video sync. You can play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful feature that flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.
The B&W app offers similar controls to the buttons on the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments and assigning action buttons wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and more. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album cover and track titles. However, the most popular features like music presets or soundscapes feature aren't available.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction was optimized to achieve a breath-taking detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic spatial audio you'll hear on headphones with open backs.
The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended since this can double the output power and improve the overall sound quality.
The headphones are designed to be used by professionals and have a sturdy steel frame that is adorned with leather and plastic. The design is minimalist and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their build are excellent. They come with a carry case, an extra audio cable and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.
With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are somewhat light on bass. The open-back design results in an expansive, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor peaks and drops. headphone stores is extremely linear, which means you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and the upper bite of the drum snare.
Despite not having a loud bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when needed. They'll still be a great choice for those who love listening to music with punchy basslines, but they might not be as fun as some of the other models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.
In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They're very straight, with a slight scoop in the upper mids that will not be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals which is a huge plus.
The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice because of their outstanding sound quality and a comfortable fit. They're costly, but you're paying for a pair of headphones that will last for years to be able to perform at their best in any environment.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20
The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of headphones for those who wants to relax or simply want an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a simple bag that protects them when you throw them into the bag. Their battery can last for several long-haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles when on an airplane, although their audio profile is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.
The Life Q20's controls are easy to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll see buttons to pair and power up the headphones as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playing back media that include a multi-function switch which lets you turn on the voice assistant of your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in microphone can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offers a deep, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature the treble range to go up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling is designed to block out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sound.
Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means that you won't not be able to take advantage of the better codes' lower latency when gaming on your computer.
The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of rotating so that they can adjust to the particular shape of your head so that you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.