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Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears, allowing you to be immersed in the sound. They are generally designed for audiophiles and have features like active noise cancelling and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. The headphones feature a brand new design and enhanced ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with a superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones at just 250g. 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 that is similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which keeps your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sound signature created to please casual music listeners as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, however it's not abrasive or overpowering. They have a large and headphones Wireless open soundstage with excellent instrument separation that lets you hear specifics in your music. The earcups have control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe forward to play the next track, back to hear the previous one and then up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at once and thanks to a built-in sensor, they will automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can enable ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup. This lets you hear the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our most basic test, we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC activated which is much 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 muffled or static audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent and these headphones wireless (check out this site) are great 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. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits and optimized active noise cancellation, and clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully angled inside each earcup to provide an enhanced, more immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls, even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone lets you control 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 that wrap around the earcups as well as a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium, but don't feel tight. The new form and shape was refined over a period of time, and delivers a comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't force into my skull, which is a rotund one.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to fit in your bag or backpack without any discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place during long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them for easy transportation in an enclosed case.

The headphones sony are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful feature with a green flash to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W app offers the same features as the onboard buttons in the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and more. When you play music on your iPhone the app will display album cover and track titles. However, some popular features such as music presets and soundscapes feature are not available.

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 construction technology is optimized to give an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic sound you'll ever hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier will be needed to drive it at 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 a professional use and have a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of leather and plastic. The design is minimalist and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their build are superb. They come with a carry 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 light in bass. This is due to the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good with minor peaks and drops. The Treble region also has a linearity which means you won't have issues with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

Despite not having a loud bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when required. They'll still be a great choice for those who enjoy listening to music with powerful basslines, but they may not be as enjoyable as some of the competing models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are linear with an incline on the upper mids that won't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fitting make them a great option. They are expensive, but they'll last for years and perform well in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that can do the trick for anyone who wants to pass the time or just wants an affordable pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag which will provide protection when you toss them into your bag, and their battery can last for several long haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy passengers 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 to power up and pair the headphones and for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, there are media playback controls. This includes a multi-function control that activates the phone's voice assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone offers a deep immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver, which is certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and detail, as their active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a wider range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support aptX, which is disappointing. This means you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to be worn for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are capable of turning and adjust to the unique shape of your head so that you can get a snug fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.