Why Headphones Is Your Next Big Obsession

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you into audio. They tend to be designed for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 earphones from Sony are the latest model in their noise cancellation line-up. The headphones have a new design and have improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but they have higher-end sound quality and better materials.

At just 250g, they're a light weight for over ear bluetooth headphones (My Web Site)-ear ANC headsets. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband has a friction-rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sonic signature that is designed to please casual music lovers as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, yet it's not abrasive or blazing. The earphones boast a huge and spacious soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls, which are easy and responsive to use. Swipe forward to play the next track, back to hear the previous one, and up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can be connected to two devices at once and will automatically stop playback when you take them off your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made from top quality fabric, as well as 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 life expectancy is superb. In our battery test we recorded 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for calls is exceptional and there's no distorted or static-y audio in the background. The noise cancellation performance is excellent and they're a great choice for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade from its predecessor, providing high-end performance and features. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit enhanced active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled in each earcup, provide a more immersive and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote allows you to control music and calls from any device compatible with it.

Similar to the original PX7 The headphones sport a sleekly refined look with accent rings on each earcup as well as an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form required a lot of time to perfect, and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't press too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 ounces (or 307g), Over Ear Bluetooth Headphones they're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as just a little smaller. They're light enough to fit in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place during long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them for easy transportation in the protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for high-resolution audio as well as fast video sync. You can also play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is an excellent feature that flashes green to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W App has the same control options that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer such as bass and treble adjustments actions button assignments, wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's title 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 legendary Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. Its technical construction was designed to provide an incredible detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic sound you'll ever experience in a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which will increase the output and boost the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal 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 and their construction are superb. They come with a carrying case, an additional audio cable, and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals in a natural way, even though they are a little light on bass. The open-back design results in a wide out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding with only minor dips and peaks. The Treble region also has a linear quality which means you won't have issues with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still provide impact as well as dynamism and impact when required, despite the absence of a booming low-end. They'll still be a great choice for those who like listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they may not be as enjoyable as some of the competing models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They're very straight and have a slight slop in the upper mids that should not be noticeable to the majority of listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations which is a bonus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them a top option. The headphones over ear are costly, however they will last for a long time and will perform in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones bluetooth that will be a great choice 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 will protect them when you put them into bags. The battery will last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles on a plane, though their audio profile is heavy and warm.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left ear cup, you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones and to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function button that activates your phone's voice assistance and turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls without hands your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provides a full and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones can provide outstanding clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a wider range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a pity. This means that you won't not be able to benefit of the higher codes' lower latency when gaming on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The earcups are capable of turning and adjust to the particular 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.