10 Headphones Strategies All The Experts Recommend

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears to immerse you in sound. They are generally made for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile app to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation line-up. The headphones are updated with 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.

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250g. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. The headband is soft and has a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

With a sound quality that is able to please those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but it isn't excessively loud or harsh. They feature a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation that allows you to hear the subtleties in your music. The earcups have control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. You can swipe forward to access the next track, back to hear the previous track and then up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously and headphones Samsung will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can also turn on ambient mode by resting your palm on the right earcup that lets you hear what's going on around you without taking off the headphones.

Other useful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones samsung come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our battery test we recorded 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30 hours battery life.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone for making calls. There's no muffled or static sound in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also excellent and they're a perfect choice for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 provides a significant improvement over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and improved performance. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits, optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled inside each earcup, give you a more deep and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote allows you to control music and calls from any compatible device.

The headphones have a sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings that wrap around the earcups and a silver sheen for the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably but not too tight on the cranium. The redesigned form and shape took a long time to perfect, delivering a comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard, even on my own cranium that is rotund.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to carry in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and will remain comfortable in your hand during long listens. A strong hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them for easy transportation in an enclosed case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for high-resolution audio as well as tight video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful feature with a green flash to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W app provides the same controls as the hardware onboard buttons such as bass and treble adjustments and assigning action buttons, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and more. When you play music on your iPhone, the app displays album covers and track titles. However, the most popular features like music presets and soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. The technical design was designed to provide an incredible detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever hear on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier that can drive it at the desired 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 doesn't resemble the most expensive pair of headphones, however they feel premium in the palm and are built to last. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable, and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are light in bass. The open-back design creates a wide, out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region also has a linearity, so you will not have any issues with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still provide impact, dynamism and impact when needed despite the lack of a loud low-end. These headphones are still great for those who love rock music that has punchy bass, but may not sound as great as other models on this list.

The Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful mid-range. They are extremely linear, with a slight scoop in the upper mids that shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals, which is a big benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional Headphones Samsung, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fitting make them a great option. They're costly however you're buying a pair of headphones that will last for many years to come and perform at their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or simply need an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag which will provide protection when you throw them into a bag, and their battery can last several long haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles on an airplane, although their audio profile is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll see buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function button that activates your phone's voice assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about it 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 offer certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones have a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling is specifically designed to block out a wide range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

One important thing to be aware of about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means you will not be able to benefit of the superior codes' lower latency while gaming on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of rotating and adjust to the specific shape of your head, so you can achieve a perfect fit. You can also listen to your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included to charge the battery.