The Full Guide To Headphones

Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The Focal Bathys is a wireless pair that comes with ANC, 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 WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancelling lineup. The headphones feature a brand new design and enhanced ANC. They also have many of the same features, but with a superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

At just 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. They're extremely comfortable to wear, even if you're reading or listening an audiobook. The headband is supple, and it has an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

With a sound quality that is able to please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but not too loud or harsh. They have a large and open soundstage with good instrument separation that lets you hear subtleties in your music. The earcups also feature touch controls that are easy to use. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song and backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at the same time and due to an inbuilt sensor, they will automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can enable ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without removing the headphones for tv.

Other helpful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made from high-end fabric as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones work with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our standard test, we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC switched on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery duration of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for voice calls is excellent and there's no distorted or static-y sounding background. The noise-canceling performance is also excellent and they're a perfect fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 provides a significant improvement over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and improved performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming, optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled in each earcup, give you a more deep and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone lets you manage your calls and music on any device compatible with it.

The headphones have a elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, and a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit well, but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form took a long time to perfect, providing a comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard on my own cranium that is rotund.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough for carrying in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and they'll stay comfortable in your hand during long listens. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in an enclosed case.

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

The B&W app provides similar controls to the hardware onboard buttons - bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and much more. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music using your iPhone. Popular extras such as music presets and a soundscapes mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones, Headphones running and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction has been optimized to achieve a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It's the most realistic audio you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, so a good headphone amplifier will be needed to drive it at desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, as this will double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

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

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with naturality, although they are a bit lighter on bass. The open-back design creates a wide, out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region also is linear and you won't be able to deal with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of a drum snare.

Despite the lack of a booming bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when needed. They are still a great choice for those who like rock music with a punchy bass however they might not sound as good as some of the other models on this list.

The Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic midrange. They are extremely 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 nice benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of premium Headphones Running that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fit make them a top choice. They're costly however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for years to be able to perform well in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that will provide the perfect solution for anyone who needs to kill some time or simply wants a low-cost pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag that protects them when you throw them into the bag. The battery will last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chatty 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 you'll find buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup there are controls for playback of media that include a multi-function switch that allows you to activate your phone's voice assistant and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver a rich and immersive listening experience due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a wide range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means you will not be able take advantage of the superior codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without creating discomfort. The earcups are able to rotate so that they can adjust to the unique shape of your head so you can get a snug fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.