It's Time To Extend Your Headphones Options

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones cover your ears and plunge you in audio. They are typically made for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancelling and Headphones Apple control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation line-up. They have a fresh new design, enhanced ANC, and many 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, weighing 250g. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. The headband is a friction-rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature designed to please casual music lovers as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, but it is not harsh or blazing. They have a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation that allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups are also equipped with control buttons that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to play the next track, then back to hear the previous one, and up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices simultaneously and due to an inbuilt sensor, they will automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can also switch on ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup, which allows you to be aware of what's happening around you without taking off the headphones.

Other features that are useful include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of premium fabric and a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is exceptional. In our battery test we had 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic microphone for making calls. There is no static or muffled audio in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also excellent and they're a perfect choice for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and performance. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit, optimized active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled to fit in each earcup, give you a more deep and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer excellent call clarity even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you manage your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

The headphones have a elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They have accent rings that wrap around the earcups as well as a silver sheen for the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium, yet never feel tight. The redesigned shape and form took a long time to perfect, providing a comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard on my own rotund cranium.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and remain in place throughout long listening sessions. The headband can be folded up by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio aswell as tight video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice touch. It flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App offers the same control options that the buttons on the hardware provide such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignments wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes as well as other features. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music using your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets, soundscapes and music mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones apple (awab.co.kr said) from Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet highest expectations. The technical design was designed to give a breath-taking detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

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

These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is rather minimalist and doesn't resemble a fancy pair of headphones for gym, but they feel premium in the hand and are well-built. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are somewhat light on bass. The open-back design produces a spacious out-of-head soundstage. Their treble performance is excellent with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region is extremely linear, which means you won't have issues with cutting sibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still deliver impact and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a loud low-end. They'll still be a great choice for those who like listening to music with punchy basslines, but they may not be like 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 a linear pair with a slight scoop on the upper mids, which won't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also reproduce precise time gradations of vocals which is a huge plus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of premium headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them a top choice. The headphones are expensive but they'll last for a long time and will perform in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or simply want an affordable pair of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag which protects the headphones when you place them into a bag. The battery will last multiple long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles from the plane, but their audio profile is a little warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and clearly marked. On the left earcup, there are buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup, you'll find media playback controls that include a multi-function switch which lets you turn on the voice assistant on your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in microphone can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver an immersive and deep listening experience due to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. These headphones have an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a broad range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

One important thing to be aware of 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 lower latency while playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam earcups are soft enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The earcups are able to rotate and adjust to the particular shape of your head so you can get a snug fit. You can also listen to music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is included for charging the battery.