What's The Fuss About Headphones?

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears, allowing you to be immersed in the sound. They are generally designed for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest model in their noise cancellation line-up. They feature a new design, improved ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors but with better materials and slightly more premium sound quality.

With only 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband has a friction-rod design that is similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which keeps your ears from getting too cold.

With an audio quality that can satisfy those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass but is not excessively loud or harsh. The earphones boast a huge and wide soundstage, as well as good separation of instruments. This allows you to be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups have touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe forward to go to the next track, reverse to hear the previous track and then up and down to control the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices at once and will automatically stop playback when you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can also switch on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup, which allows you to hear what's going on around you without taking off the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. bluetooth Headphones jbl low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of high-end fabric and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is awe-inspiring. In our most basic test we were able get 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC turned on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for voice calls is excellent and there's no distorted or static-y sound in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also top-quality, and they're a good fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering premium performance and features. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features, including 24bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled to fit in each earcup, provide a more immersive and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you control your music and calls using any compatible device.

Like the PX7's original design These headphones have elegant and Bluetooth Headphones Jbl refined with accent rings around each earcup as well as a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium, yet don't feel tight. The new design and shape took many months to perfect, and provides a comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard even on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are just a little thinner. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and stay in place comfortably for long listening sessions. The headband is foldable by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-quality audio as well as tight video sync. You can play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful feature that flashes green to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W app has similar controls to the buttons on the hardware including bass and treble adjustment, action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and more. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. The most popular extras like music presets, soundscapes and music mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones and is made to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to achieve an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic sound you'll ever hear in a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended as this will double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame, and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is simple and doesn't look like a fancy pair of headphones, however they feel premium in the hand and are built well. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable and an adapter from 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. This is due to the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor drops and peaks. The treble region is extremely linear, which means you'll not have issues piercing sibilants and the upper bite of a snare drum.

They can still provide impact and dynamism when needed despite the lack of a powerful low-end. They are still a great choice for those who like rock music that has punchy bass however they might not sound as good as the other models on this list.

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

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. They are expensive, but they will last you for years and perform well in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will provide the perfect solution for anyone who needs to kill some time or simply wants a low-cost set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that will give them some protection when you put them into a bag, and their battery can last for many long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out loud passengers and engine rumbles, but their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones wireless apple, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are controls for playing back media which include 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 provide an immersive and rich listening experience, thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz they are able to provide exceptional clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancellation technology is designed to filter out an extended range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means you won't capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency when you're 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 ear cups can also rotate to adapt to your unique head shape. You can also enjoy your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included to charge the battery.