5 Headphones Lessons From The Pros

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you in the audio. They are usually tuned for audiophiles, and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless device that comes with ANC as well as a mobile app to alter the EQ and presets. They also support hi-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation line-up. The headphones have a new design and improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but they have superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

At just 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband is supple, and has an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sonic signature that is designed to please people who listen to music for pleasure as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, but it is not harsh or imposing. They have a large and wide soundstage, headphones skullcandy with good instrument separation, which allows you to hear specifics in your music. The earcups come with control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe forward to play the next track, back to listen to the previous one as well as up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones can be connected to two devices at once and will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can enable the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other useful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is exceptional. In our test of the standard battery we had 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on calls is exceptional, and there's no muffled or static-y audio in the background. Noise cancellation is also great and these headphones are perfect for public transportation or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming and optimized active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled to fit in each earcup, offer more deep and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music using any compatible device.

The headphones sport a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups, and a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium but never feel tight. The redesigned shape and form took a long time to perfect, providing an incredibly comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard even on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are slightly smaller. They're light enough to fit in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and they'll stay comfortably in place during long listening sessions. The headband can be folded up using a sturdy hinge at the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-quality audio as well for a tight video sync. You can play them wired too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful gesture that flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W App offers the same control options that the hardware onboard buttons offer including bass and treble adjustment, action button assignments, wear detection, cycling through ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's title when you play music using your iPhone. Some popular features like music presets, soundscapes and music mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones from Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet most demanding requirements. The technical design was designed to give an incredible detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier to operate to the levels you want without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, headphones skullcandy as this will double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

These headphones are made for a professional use and feature a sturdy metal frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is rather minimalist and doesn't appear like a fancy pair of headphones for ipad, but they feel premium in the palm and are well-built. They come with a carrying case, an additional audio cable, and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with a natural sound, even though they are a little light on bass. This is due to the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region also has a linear quality which means you won't have issues with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of a drum snare.

Despite the lack of a loud bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when needed. They will still be enjoyable for those who love listening to music with strong basslines, however they may not sound like some of the competing models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are very linear and have a slight slop in the upper mids which will not be noticed by most listeners. They also reproduce fine time gradations in vocals which is a huge benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice because of their excellent sound quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are costly, however they will last for many years and perform in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that will do the trick for anyone looking to kill some time or simply needs a cheap pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch which will provide protection when you put them into a bag, and their battery can last multiple long haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, however their audio profile is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to use and clearly marked. On the left earcup there are buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as for turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function button that activates your phone's voice assistance and turns 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 a rich and immersive listening experience due to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones skullcandy feature a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling is specifically designed to block out a broad range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a pity. This means you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's lower latency when you're gaming on your PC.

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