The Reason Headphones Is Fast Becoming The Most Popular Trend In 2023

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears to immerse you in sound. They tend to be tuned for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless speaker with ANC and a mobile application to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the latest model in their noise cancellation line-up. The headphones feature a brand new design and have improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but they have higher-end sound quality and better materials.

At only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. The headband is soft, and it has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sound signature designed to satisfy both people who listen to music for pleasure as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, yet it's not abrasive or overpowering. They have a wide and spacious soundstage that has good instrument separation that lets you hear subtleties in your music. The earcups feature touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song or reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously and will automatically pause playback when you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can activate ambient mode by placing your hand on the right earcup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones noise cancelling.

They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of high-end fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones gaming work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is superb. In our battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for voice calls is excellent and there's no distorted or static-y audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent, and these headphones are perfect for public transportation and the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and improved performance. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 comes with premium performance and features like 24-bit wireless streaming and active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled in 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 remote and microphone allows you to control music and calls from any device that is compatible.

Similar to the original PX7 The headphones sport sleek and elegant with accent rings around each earcup as well as a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably but not too tightly on the cranium. The new form and shape was refined over a period of time and offers a soft clamping pressure that doesn't press into my skull, which is a rotund one.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a backpack or bag and stay in place comfortably throughout long listening sessions. The headband can be folded using a sturdy hinge at the back.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is ideal for both high-resolution audio and tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice feature. It flashes green to indicate rapid charging, and solid blue to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app offers similar controls to the onboard buttons in the hardware - bass and treble adjustment, action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and much more. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app displays album cover and track titles. However, some popular features such as music presets or soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. Its engineering was designed to provide stunning detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic spatial audio you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier is needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which can double the output and improve the sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable, as well as an 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 provides a wide and out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor drops and peaks. The treble region is also extremely linear, which means you'll not have issues hitting sibilants or the upper sound of the snare drum.

They can still provide impact, dynamism and impact when needed despite the lack of a loud low-end. They'll still be a great choice for those who love listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they might not be as fun as some of the competing models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are straight and have a slight incline in the upper mids, which won't be noticed by most listeners. They also reproduce fine time gradations in vocals, which is a big plus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. They are expensive however you're buying headphones that will last for years to be used and perform at their best in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good set of headphones for headphones noise Cancelling anyone looking to pass the time or just want a pair of affordable headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a basic bag that protects them when you put them into a bag. Their battery can last multiple long-haul flights. The ANC works well to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles. However, their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and clearly 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 ear cup you'll find controls for playback of media which include a multi-function button that allows you to activate the voice assistant of your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in mic can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones for gym offers a deep, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver, which is certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones can provide outstanding clarity and clarity, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means you won't able to take advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam earcups are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups also be rotated to accommodate your unique head shape. You can also listen to music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is provided for charging the battery.