The Reasons Why Headphones Will Be The Hottest Topic In 2023

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you in music. They tend to be tuned for audiophiles and come with 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 headphones with bluetooth presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest model in their noise cancelling lineup. They feature a new design, upgraded ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors, but with better materials and slightly higher quality sound.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones in ear, with 250g. They are very comfortable to wear, even when you're reading or listening a book. The headband is soft and it has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature designed to please casual music lovers as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, yet it's not harsh or overpowering. They feature a wide and open soundstage with good instrument separation, which allows you to hear the subtleties in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe forward to go to the next track, then back to hear the previous one as well as up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices simultaneously and due to an inbuilt sensor, they automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can also switch on ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup and allowing you to hear what's going on around you without removing the headphones.

They can also be connected 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 an USB-C charging cable. The headphones wireless work with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers running Windows and headphones with bluetooth macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is superb. In our test of the standard battery we had 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on calls is exceptional, and there's no muffled or static-y audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent, and these headphones are great for public transportation or in the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and improved performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming, optimized active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully placed inside each earcup for an enhanced, more deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones ensure superior call clarity even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone let you control your music and calls using any compatible device.

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

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and are slightly smaller. They're light enough to carry in your bag or backpack without any discomfort, and will stay comfortable in your hand during long listens. The headband is foldable using a sturdy hinge at the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio aswell 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 touch with a green flash to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W App provides the same controls that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments, wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes as well as other features. The app also shows an album cover and track title when you play music on your iPhone. However, popular extras like music presets and soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. The design and construction of the headphones is optimized to give an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic spatial audio you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier that can drive it to the levels you want without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, because it will increase the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a steel frame and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalistic and they don't look fancy, but the quality of the headphones with bluetooth and their build are top-quality. They come with a carrying pouch and an extra audio cable as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are light in bass. This is because the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble is excellent with minor peaks and drops. The treble region is extremely smooth, meaning you won't have issues with cutting sibilants, or the upper sound of the snare drum.

They can still deliver impact as well as dynamism and impact in the event of need, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who love rock music with a punchy bass however, they may not be as impressive as 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 can also reproduce precise time gradations, which is a benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice due to their exceptional sound quality and a comfortable fit. They're costly however, you're getting headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform at their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or just want an affordable pair of headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a simple bag which protects the headphones when you place them in bags. The battery will last for several long-haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles when on an airplane, although their audio profile is warmer 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 to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup you'll find controls for playback of media, including a multi-function button that allows you to activate the voice assistant on your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offer an immersive and deep listening experience, due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones feature an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling is specifically designed to block out a broad range of low- and mid-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means that you will not be able take advantage of the higher codes' lower latency while playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are soft enough to wear for extended periods of time without creating discomfort. The ear cups are capable of rotating and adjust to the specific 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.