7 Helpful Tips To Make The Most Of Your Headphones

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They are typically designed for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation range. They sport a new design, improved ANC and a lot of the same features that their predecessors had but with better materials and slightly higher quality sound.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, with just 250g. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband is soft, and it features the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents Get Your Game On with Philips A1105 Wired Headphones ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature created to please casual music listeners as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, however it is not harsh or imposing. The earphones feature a wide and wide soundstage, as well as good instrument separation. This lets you be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups also have touch controls that are easy and responsive to use. Swipe forward to go to 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 will automatically stop playback whenever you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. 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 removing the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. AEAK Bluetooth Sport Running Earphones - Wireless & Foldable low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers operating Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is exceptional. In our test we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There is no static or muffled audio in the background. The noise cancellation performance is excellent, and they're a good fit for public transport or 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 performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming enhanced active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully placed inside each earcup for a more focused, deep listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone lets you control calls and music on any device compatible with it.

Like the PX7's original design The headphones sport a sleekly refined look with accent rings around each earcup, and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit well, but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned form and shape took many months to perfect, shinhwaspodium.com providing an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard even on my own cranium that is rotund.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and stay in place comfortably throughout long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them up for easy transport in the protective case.

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

The B&W app offers the same features as the onboard buttons in the hardware - bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's title when you play music on 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, and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its engineering was designed to give a breath-taking detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic spatial audio you'll experience on open-back headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is required to operate it at the right levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which can increase the output and boost the sound quality.

These headphones are made for a professional use and have a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of plastics and leather padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't appear like an expensive pair of headphones, but they feel luxurious in the palm and are built well. They come with a carrying pouch and an additional audio cable and a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are somewhat light on bass. The open-back design results in a spacious out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor peaks and drops. The treble area is extremely linear, which means you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and the upper bite of the snare drum.

They can still deliver impact, dynamism and impact when needed despite the lack of a loud low-end. They are still a great choice for those who enjoy rock music with punchy basses however, they may not be as impressive as some of the other models on this list.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are linear with an incline on the upper mids, which won't be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals, which is a big plus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. The headphones are costly, but they will last you for years and perform well in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or simply want an affordable set of headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a basic case which protects them when you put them into a bag. Their battery can last for several long-haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles on an airplane, although their audio profile is warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and clearly marked. On the left ear cup 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 see media playback controls. This includes a multi-function key that activates the phone's voice assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). The built-in mic can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone offers a deep and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40mm dynamic driver, which is certified Hi-Res audio. These headphones have the treble range to go up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancellation is designed to block out a broad range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

One thing to keep in mind 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 low latency when playing games on your PC.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to your individual head shape. You can also listen to music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included to charge the battery.