10 Tips For Headphones That Are Unexpected

Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The Focal Bathys are a wireless speaker with ANC and a mobile app 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 upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. The headphones feature a brand new design and enhanced ANC. They also have many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and better materials.

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250 grams. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband is a friction-rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.

With a sound quality that is able to please casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but not excessively loud or harsh. The earphones feature a wide and open soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls that are easy to use. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track and backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices at once and thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically pause the playback when removed from your head. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones.

Other useful features include the possibility of pairing 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 high-end fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is exceptional. In our test of the standard battery we had 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic microphone for making calls. There is no muffled or static sound in the background. The noise cancellation performance is excellent, and they're a good option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, delivering premium performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins S2 comes with premium performance and features like 24-bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled inside each earcup, offer more complete and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls, even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your music and calls on any compatible device.

The headphones sport 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 on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably, but not too tightly on the cranium. The new design and shape required a lot of time to perfect, delivering a comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard even on my own cranium that is rotund.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a bag or backpack and are comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in a protective case.

The headphones are powered by bluetooth headphones 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio aswell as tight video sync. You can play them wired too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice feature. It flashes green to show rapid charging and solid blue to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App offers the same controls that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer - bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignments wear detection, cycling through ANC modes and more. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. However, some popular features such as music presets or soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones by Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet highest demands. The design and construction of the headphones has been optimized to provide the highest resolution in detail that covers all frequencies as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever hear in a pair of open-back headphones over ear.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, so a good headphone amplifier is required to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, because it will increase the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal frame, and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is simple and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their construction are superb. 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 with a natural sound, even though they are a little less bass-y. This is because the open-back design creates a large and kbphone.co.kr out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding, with only minor dips and peaks. The treble region is also extremely smooth, meaning you shouldn't have any issues cutting sibilants, or the upper bite of the snare drum.

Despite not having a high-pitched bass, they still produce a punch and dynamism when required. They'll still be enjoyable for those who like listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they may not be like some of the models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are extremely linear and have a slight scoop in the upper mids that shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They are also able to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals which is a huge benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top pick due to their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are expensive but they will last you for a long time and will perform in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of headphones for those who wants to relax or just want an affordable pair of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that provides protection when you throw them into a bag, and their battery is capable of lasting several long haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles, however their audio profile is a little warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to use and clearly marked. On the left ear cup you'll find buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones and for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are controls for playback of media which include a multi-function button that lets you activate the voice assistant of your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also make use of the built-in microphone to make calls without hands your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver 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 clarity, while their active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means you will not be able to take advantage of the better codes' lower latency when gaming on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adjust to your unique head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.