10 Top Books On Headphones

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you into sound. They are usually tuned for audiophiles and come with features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. They sport a new design, enhanced ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors, but with better materials and slightly higher-quality sound.

At just 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or a 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.

With a sound quality that is able to please those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass, but not overpowering or harsh. The earphones boast a huge and open soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls, which are easy and responsive to use. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track and reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at the same time and thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can enable 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 features that are useful 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 sturdy carrying case made of high-end fabric as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones work with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our standard test, we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for calls is superb, and there's no muffled or static-y sounding background. The noise-canceling performance is also excellent, and they're a good 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 high-end performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming enhanced active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled in each earcup, provide a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone lets you control your music and calls on any compatible device.

These headphones have a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups and a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium, yet they never feel tight. The redesigned form and shape required a lot of time to perfect, delivering an easy clamping force that doesn't press too hard even 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 backpack or bag and remain in place throughout long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them for easy transport in the protective case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-quality audio as well for a tight video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful gesture, flashing green to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W App has the same features that the hardware onboard buttons offer such as bass and treble adjustments actions button assignments, wear detection, cycling through ANC modes, etc. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app will display album covers and track titles. Some popular features like music presets and a soundscapes mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor headphones Sennheiser to the legendary headphones from Sennheiser, and it is meant to meet the highest expectations. The technical design was designed to provide stunning detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic audio you'll hear on headphones with open backs.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier will be needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which can increase the output and enhance the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal frame, and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is minimalist and they don't look fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carrying pouch and an extra audio cable and a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments in a natural way, even however they are light on bass. The open-back design produces a wide, out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb with only minor dips and peaks. The treble region is very linear, so you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and the upper sound of a drum snare.

Even with the absence of loud bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when it is needed. They'll still be enjoyable for those who like listening to rock music that has powerful basslines, but they may not sound as fun as some of the other models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones marshall are hard to beat. They are straight and have a slight incline in the upper mids that won't be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to 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 an excellent option. They are expensive however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for years to be used and perform to their best in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent pair of headphones for those looking to pass the time or simply want an affordable pair of Headphones Sennheiser that cancel out noise. The headphones come with a basic bag which protects the headphones when you place them into the bag. Their battery can last for a long time on long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out loud passengers and engine rumbles. However, their audio profile is a little heavy and warm.

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 off or on active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup, you'll find controls for playback of media that include a multi-function switch that lets you activate the voice assistant on your phone and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make calls hands-free with your phone.

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

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support aptX, which is disappointing. This means you won't in a position to benefit from the superior codec's low latency when playing games on your PC.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without causing any discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of rotating and adjust to the particular shape of your head so that you can achieve a perfect fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.