A Step-By Step Guide For Choosing Your Headphones

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears, allowing you to be immersed in the sound. They tend to be designed for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless device that includes ANC and a mobile application to tweak the EQ, and noise cancelling headphones presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation range. They sport a new design, improved ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors but with premium materials and slightly more premium sound quality.

At only 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. 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 it features the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sonic signature that is designed to please casual music lovers as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, however it's not harsh or blazing. The earphones feature a wide and open soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to go to the next track, then back to listen to the previous one and then up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at once and thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can turn on 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 take off the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of premium fabric, and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our most basic test we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC turned on, which is better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on voice calls is excellent, and there's no muffled or static-y sounding background. Noise cancellation is also great and these headphones are perfect for public transportation or in 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. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 is a premium model with a variety of features like 24-bit wireless streaming and active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully angled inside each earcup to create an even more focused and immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone lets you control your music and calls on any compatible device.

These headphones have a similar sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups, and a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably but not too tight on the cranium. The new shape and form was developed over the course of several months and offers a comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't press into my rotund skull.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and are just a little thinner. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear throughout long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them for easy transport in a protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is ideal for both high-resolution audio and 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 an excellent gesture, flashing green to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W App provides the same control options that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track 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 a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones for swimming and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. The design and construction of the headphones has been optimized to provide a detail resolution that encompasses all frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic sound you'll ever hear on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is required to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which can increase the output and enhance the sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a steel frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is simple and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their construction are top-quality. They come with a carry case, an additional audio cable and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments in a natural way, even though they are a little less bass-y. The open-back design creates a spacious, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor drops and peaks. The treble region is also very linear, so you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and the upper sound of a drum snare.

Even with the absence of booming bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when it is needed. They'll still be enjoyable for those who enjoy listening to rock music with punchy basslines, but they might not be as fun as some of the models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

The Sennheiser headphones have a great mid-range. They are very linear and have a slight scoop in the upper mids that will not be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations which is a bonus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. They are a top pick due to their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit. They're expensive however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for years to be able to perform well in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of headphones for those looking to kill time or simply want a pair of affordable noise cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that will give them some protection when you put them into your bag, and their battery is capable of lasting many long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles. However, noise cancelling headphones their audio quality is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. 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 there are media playback controls which include a multi-function button that allows you to activate your phone's voice assistant and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in mic can be used to make hands-free phone calls.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offer an immersive and rich listening experience, thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that offer certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble that stretches up to 40 kHz, these headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and detail, as their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wider range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means you won't able to take advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while playing games on your PC.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without creating discomfort. The ear cups also be rotated to accommodate your individual head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.