5 The 5 Reasons Headphones Is Actually A Good Thing

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you in the sound. They are generally designed for audiophiles and have features like active noise cancellation 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 through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's latest addition to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation range. The headphones feature a brand new design and enhanced ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with a higher-end sound quality and better materials.

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

The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature that has been created to please casual music listeners as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, but it's not harsh or blazing. The earphones boast a huge and open soundstage, with excellent 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. You can swipe forward to access the next track, then back to hear the previous one, and up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at the same time and due to an inbuilt sensor, they automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

Other helpful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made of premium fabric and an USB-C cable for charging. 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 exceptional. In our test we were able get 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC turned on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 has a great mic for voice calls. There is no muffled or static sound in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also top-quality and they're a perfect option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, delivering premium performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a premium model with a variety of features, Headphones Gaming including 24bit wireless streaming and active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully placed inside each earcup for a more focused, immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you manage your calls and music using any compatible device.

Like the PX7's original design The Headphones gaming sport elegant and refined with accent rings on each earcup and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit well but not too tight on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form took a long time to perfect, delivering an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't press too hard, even on my own cranium that is rotund.

At 10.8 ounces (or 307g) They weigh 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as just a little smaller. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and are comfortable to wear throughout long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them up to make it easy to transport them in a protective case.

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

The B&W App offers the same control options that the buttons on the hardware provide including bass and treble adjustment actions button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes as well as other features. The app also displays an album cover and track title when you play music from your iPhone. However, the most popular features like music presets or soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones from Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet the highest demands. Its technical construction has been optimized to provide a detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic spatial audio you'll hear on headphones with open backs.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier to operate to the levels you want without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which can double the output and improve the quality of sound.

The headphones are designed for professional use and have a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of plastics and leather padding. The design is minimalist and they're not fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are top-quality. They come with a carrying case, an additional audio cable, and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with a natural sound, even although they are a bit light on bass. This is because the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor drops and peaks. The Treble region also is linear and you won't have issues with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

They can still deliver impact, dynamism and impact in the event of need, despite the absence of a booming low-end. These headphones are still great for those who enjoy rock music with a punchy bass however, they may not sound as good as other models on this list.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are straight and have a slight incline in the upper mids, which won't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations, which is a benefit.

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

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent pair of headphones for those who wants to relax or just want an affordable pair of noise cancelling headphones cheap. The headphones come with a basic case that will protect the headphones with best noise cancelling when you place them into the bag. The battery will last for 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 warm and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find 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 find media playback controls that include a multi-function switch which lets you turn on the voice assistant of your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make calls without hands your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and deep listening experience, thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones have a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a variety of low- and mid-frequency sound.

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 that you will not be able to benefit of the higher codes' lower latency when playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam ear cups are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of turning and adjust to the particular shape of your head, so you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.