What's The Fuss About Wireless Over Ear Headphones?

The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

The PX8s are expensive, but they sound and look way above other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver as well as Nappa leather elevate the style. And a DAC mode can play hi-res audio.

This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose's industry-leading ANC technology, excellent control and a sleek look. The most attractive feature, though, is battery longevity.

Sound Quality

Wireless headphones with over-ears are more immersive because they surround your ears. They also have larger earcups that allow room for powerful drivers to deliver massive soundstages and deep bass. However, this comes at a cost: over-ear headphones typically have higher price tags and the most expensive models starting around $250 / PS250 / AUS$450, and often with active noise cancellation.

It's all a matter of preference and introduction of Bluetooth Technology what you're using headphones for. If you are looking to listen to music in a noisy setting and value comfort over audio quality, an affordable pair such as the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good option. If you want to spend a bit more, the IMG Throne Gold offer impressive audio and battery life, while the Focal Bathys are specifically designed for serious audiophiles with their DAC mode that supports hi-res audio over USB-C.

The mid-tier price range has many great options and there are a variety of brands offering headphones that are great sounding for reasonable prices. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a good example, with a powerful bass and bright treble for rock and pop, but also a clear mid-range that makes instruments and vocals prominent. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another good option. It's got improved ANC and an app companion to it that has the various presets for different styles of listening. If you're a fan of Bose's premium headphone, check out the QC35 II for a similar experience, with more passive noise cancellation and a more durable design.

Audiophiles have well-trained ears and are able to hear the difference between headphones. Even the casual listener can tell the distinction between wired and wireless headphones. The wireless protocol has numerous drawbacks that can affect audio quality. For instance, audio codecs can change the bandwidth, sample rate and the latency of wireless transmissions which can cause distortion and loss of audio clarity.

Thankfully, these issues are now much better with modern wireless headphones that use the latest Bluetooth technology and also support advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm AAC. Most wireless over-ear headsets that we test offer excellent audio quality at an affordable price.

Noise Cancellation

Wireless over-ear headphones can be an excellent option to block out noise at your workplace or on an airplane. These large headphones are usually more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also come with active noise cancellation that helps to make your music and audio clearer.

Active noise cancelling uses microphones to detect ambient sounds and then employ frequencies that block out unwanted noise, to effectively isolate you from the surrounding. The majority of over-ear headphones that have this feature also include a built-in microphone, which ensures that your voice is clearly heard during phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT noise-canceling wireless headsets come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, as well as the battery can last up to 60 hours. These over-ear headphones make an excellent choice for those who commute and are small enough to fit in the bag or purse of a person.

The Focal Bathys wireless over-ear headphones are a great choice for those looking to invest in a high-end audio experience. They offer outstanding audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. The first wireless headphones from an French high-end audio company, the Focal Bathys are an audiophile's delight. They have an open back design and luxurious materials like leather and aluminum detailing. They boast a rich suite Introduction Of Bluetooth Technology features that include an app companion with a graphic EQ and presets that allow you to adjust your listening profile. They offer excellent isolation thanks to their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and the acoustic leather cups. Additionally, they support lossless audio playback that allows them to function as premium hi-fi headphones wired.

Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless headphones are a great choice for those who are on a tight budget. They're light and comfortable, with a excellent sound quality and noise cancellation that is impressive. The headphones offer a wide variety of features, like ambient awareness and ANC modes, touch controls, and aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT-600ANC is also one of only a handful of headphones that come with a programmable ambience awareness mode. This lets you listen to ambient noise at a lower volume without having to shut off the music.

Battery Life

The last thing you need is to be running out on a long commute or during your workout. Wireless headphones cut out the cord and offer a more comfortable alternative. But their battery capacity diminishes over time, so you need a pair with impressive longevity capabilities.

Some models are able to remain running for days or weeks on just one charge. This is a long-lasting feature that comes with compromises. To achieve this, manufacturers have to reduce the size of their batteries or cut down on other features. The best wireless headphones offer a good balance between battery life and performance.

Over-ear headphones usually have larger batteries, but the bulky design means that they consume more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets are smaller and portable. However, they do not have the same noise-blocking features as their more bulky counterparts.

The Cleer Enduro ANC, and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set the new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for 60 hours with ANC. They will easily beat other top headphones in similar prices including Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose's 720 III.

Similar to the Focal Px8's first wireless headphones are a dream for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 headphones have an open-back design, which is comfortable to wear. They have a vibrant sound, with a focus on bassy trebles and powerful bass. The Focal Px8 headphones also come with a companion app that lets you adjust the sound to your liking.

On the other hand, Focal's wireless headphones are also one of the most expensive on the market. This is partly due to their high-end materials and premium design. They also come with a fast-charge port that will give you up to two hours of listening time with only 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is a great option if you're not worried about the loss of battery life in exchange for better sound quality and a more comfortable fit.

Comfort

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones rest on your ears rather than around them. The ear pads will press less against your earlobes and allow you to listen to your music for a longer time. Ear cups also help to keep your music in place which makes it more immersive and offer an amazing audio experience. This also increases audio clarity because you can hear every nuance of the song without being distracted by background noise or the sound of your own voice.

Over-ear headphones are, however, not as lightweight as earbuds. The heavier construction and absence of folding mechanisms makes them harder to fit in a backpack or pocket. A case is also needed to protect them when they are not in use. The majority of headphones come with a carrying bag, but it can be a hassle for those who enjoy listening to music moving around.

This pair of wireless headphones is a great option for audiophiles that require high-quality headphones that can be used while travelling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone wireless bluetooth is a great choice for comfort as well as high-quality sound and noise cancellation for a reasonable price. The earcups and the headband are made of top quality materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The sound quality has improved from its predecessor, with more clear and vibrant sound. You can also alter the sound to your preference by using a companion app that includes an EQ and presets.

Another premium option is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones which offer a premium design with plenty of fashion and comfort. These headphones are available in a range of colors and come with premium leather. They look stylish enough to pair with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile is bass heavy, resulting in more thump and punch that compliments EDM, hip-hop and other genres of dance music. Instruments and vocals can be buried or obscured in the mix, which you can fix by using the Focal audio application's built-in graphic EQ.

It's hard to say which type of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience will depend on the individual's preference. If you prefer headphones for over-ear use with a greater padding, choose one with a moderate clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from feeling uncomfortable after long listening sessions, even with ANC turned on.