11 Ways To Totally Defy Your Over The Ear Headphones Wireless

Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music anywhere, without the need to run a wire from your audio device. They're an excellent choice for public transportation, at work, or at home.

Wireless over-ear cans are available in a variety of styles and noise cancelling features. They typically come with a stylish storage case.

Soundcore Q30

A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears are more attractive, feel more durable and are generally more polished. They're still mostly plastic, however the hinges are more secure and the soft leather ear cups are a bit larger. You can also swap out the 3.5mm cable for a high-quality USB-C version so that you can make use of them with portable Hi-Fi systems as well as stationary Hi-Res players. They also come with two mics built in that worked well during our tests with FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app has a huge variety of EQ presets, which can be altered and saved to listen to music and podcasts in the way you prefer. The Soundcore app is easy to use and makes these headphones stand out.

When ANC is on the Q30's 40mm drivers cut out almost all ambient noise, and provide excellent listening. The Q30's sound signature is natural, but it's a bit harsh on the treble. Some might not be a fan of the bass response (we got better results using the Bass Booster EQ). But, you can solve this issue by using the Soundcore application, as there is an 8-band equalizer to allow you to tweak.

These headphones have a power button and pairing button on the left ear cup along with a USB-C port for charging. The right earcup is equipped with buttons for play/pause, volume up/down and volume up/down. Double-clicking these controls lets you skip tracks or replay the previous one. You can also make use of voice commands to instruct them to change modes or set alarms. The right ear cup can be covered with your hand to activate ambient mode so that you can be aware of what is happening around you without taking off the headphones.

The Q30 headphones offer a long battery life. The Q30 was able to last for a full hour in our tests when ANC was switched on than its rivals. This leaves plenty of time to prepare for an extended flight or an office day. The USB-C cord included in the kit lets you quickly recharge them. You'll also get an alert when the battery is about to run out.

Focal Bathys rydohi wireless bluetooth headphones review

Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of high-quality over-ear Bluetooth headphones that feature active noise cancellation, as well as Bluetooth playback. They are designed to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or while on the move. The headphones are a little more expensive than other headphones, but their outstanding sound quality is the reason they stand out.

The Focal Bathys are packaged in a compact elegant white box with a textured finish. It comes with everything you'll require. You can also get a fold-flat carry case for the headphones and a USB-C cable to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.

They're powered by a decent 600mAh battery that can get you through a full day of listening, and also have an audio input for wired use. Wirelessly, they're paired via Bluetooth. You can control their functions with an app (now called Focal and Naim in line with English sister brand Naim’s products that are network-aware) or the dedicated button on the left earcup, which scrolls through ANC profiles such as'silent,'soft transparent,' and 'full.

The app lets you alter various settings, such as the brightness of the LEDs and the EQ presets (including music's profile, which is more neutral and brighter than the other profiles) and the battery life. You can also select the ANC level and mode as well as setting an 'acoustic settings setting to alter the sensitivity in order to simulate the sound of headphones in a different acoustic room.

The Focal Bathys feature an incredibly bass-rich profile that gives extra warmth, punch and impact to your most loved tracks. This means that instruments and vocals be muted, and certain elements like cymbals could be less prominent than on other headphones. They're also not as effective in active noise cancellation compared to other over-ears with more advanced technology, like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony has earned a reputable reputation for its headphones, and the WH-1000XM5 is no exception. It is the best of the mainstream over ear headphone market and also falls within the luxury lifestyle segment where brands such as Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. This means that the XM5s come with a high price tag but, when you can afford it, there are few better over the ear wireless headphones available.

The XM5s come with features to help listeners and, in a few instances, automate tasks that they'd otherwise have to deal with manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music headphones wireless that has been compressed to near high-res) and Bluetooth's LDAC Technology, are all included. That allows for rydohi wireless bluetooth headphones Review streaming of high-quality audio with rates that are higher than traditional Bluetooth. It also has a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free.

Similar to the previous generation of WH headphones, the XM5s excel at noise cancellation. They're among the top-performing headphones to block out the continuous drones that can be heard in train and underground carriages. The XM5s do a great job isolating listeners from the traffic noises of busy airports and streets, too.

The sound quality is very good. The XM5s aren't as clear in the low frequencies as the XM4, however, there's a more pronounced sense of clarity and transparency as well. For instance the bass track on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real power and definition without flattening the other elements. Similarly, Massive Attack's brooding Angel showcases the XM5's' ability to deliver precise and precise bass notes.

The battery life is fantastic with up to 30 hours listening time when ANC is on and 40 hours if it's off. This is more than enough to last the weekend or a few days' heavy use.

The XM5s aren't dust or water resistant. Sony actually advises against sweating into the XM5s or taking them out in the rain. This might not be a problem for everyone else, but for those who spend long hours in the gym or live in a rainy region, it could be a significant issue.

Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of over-ear wireless headphones equipped with Bluetooth technology and noise cancelling. Apple created dynamic drivers measuring 40mm with a neutral sound profile that focuses on highs and mids, but not going overboard. They are ideal for music and movies. They also provide higher fidelity compared to other headphones.

The headphones have a light design that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups, which are made of memory foam, are covered with woven fabric, and sit comfortably over the ear and do not place pressure on the sides or forehead. The earcups can also tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges offer a firm, but not too much clamping force that ensures the earcups remain in place throughout listening sessions.

A small button located on the top of the right earcup can be used to toggle noise cancellation modes. You can also utilize a pushable jog dial-like button similar to the digital Crown on the Apple Watch. You can twist it for volume control and press it once, twice, or rydohi wireless bluetooth headphones review three times for playback controls. Siri is invoked by pressing and pressing the button. The buttons are simple to use and well-placed however I would have liked to have an option to power off or shut off the headphones when not in use. The headphones automatically switch to standby mode when removed from your ears or placed in their case, and they only come back on when you place them on your head again.

Another cool feature is spatial audio, which uses the gyroscopes and accelerometers in the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to determine the direction you're going, and then repositions sound to appear as if they're coming from these locations. This creates a theater-like experience with videos and movies recorded in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 or 7.1. The only drawback is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to be used and you won't be able to enjoy it with other devices.

The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd be a bit ripped off entering an Apple Store and spending $549 on them if I knew they'd be beaten in a year by the new model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and a better battery performance, making it difficult to justify the additional cost for the majority of people.