Are Wireless Over Ear Headphones Really As Vital As Everyone Says?

The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

The PX8s might be costly but their sound and design are superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver and Nappa leather enhance the design. A DAC mode is included to allow high-res audio.

This Bluetooth flagship is Bose's top-of-the-line ANC technology, outstanding control, and a sleek design. The battery life is the most important selling feature.

Sound Quality

In general, wireless over-ear headphones generally sound better than earbuds due to the fact that they completely cover your ears. They also come with larger, more powerful drivers that deliver high-quality bass and a wide soundstage. But this comes at a price and over-ear headphones usually have higher price tags, with flagship models starting at around $250, PS250 or AU$450 and often featuring active noise cancellation.

It's all a matter of preference and what you use headphones for. If you are looking to listen to music in a noisy setting and are looking for comfort over audio quality, an affordable pair like the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good option. If you're looking to spend a little more, the I-MEGO THRONE Gold have a stunning sound quality and battery life while the Focal Bathys are designed for serious audiophiles, with their DAC mode that can support high-res audio over USB-C.

There are also some great headphones that fall in the mid-tier price range. A range of brands make headphones that sound great at a reasonable price. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is a fantastic example. They feature a thumping bass and bright treble, ideal for pop and rock music However, they also have a clear midrange that keeps the instruments and vocals at the forefront. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another solid option, with improved ANC and bluetooh headphones a useful companion app with presets to suit different listening styles. If you're a fan of Bose's premium headphone, consider the QC35 II for a similar experience with more passive noise isolation and a more durable design.

Audiophiles have well-trained ears and know how to hear the difference between a pair of headphones. But even casual listeners will notice the differences in sound quality between wired and wireless headphones, as wireless technology has numerous issues that could affect the quality of audio. For instance, audio codecs can alter the bandwidth, sample rate and the latency of buy wireless headphones transmissions which can cause distortion and loss of audio detail.

Thankfully, these issues are now much better with modern wireless headphones that utilize the latest Bluetooth technology and support advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless over-ear headphones we test offer excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.

Noise Cancellation

Wireless over-ear headphones are a great option for blocking out the noise in your workplace or on an airplane. These headphones are generally much more comfortable than earbuds, and a lot of models provide active noise cancellation to make your music and audio calls clearer.

Active noise cancellation employs microphones to detect noise in the surrounding area and use frequencies to counteract it, effectively separating you from the surrounding. Over-ear headphones that support this feature also come with a built-in microphone, which ensures that your voice is heard when you make phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT wireless noise cancelling headsets come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and batteries that last up to 60 hours. These over-ear headphones make a great choice for commuters and are small enough to fit into bags or purses.

The Focal Bathys wireless over-ear headphones are a great option for those who want to invest in a high-end audio experience. They feature outstanding audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. These French high-end audio manufacturer's first pair of wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream with an open back design and luxurious materials like leather and aluminum details. The bluetooh Headphones are packed with features, including a companion app that includes an equalizer with a graphic design and presets for fine-tuning your listening profile. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic Leather cups, they provide great isolation. They also have lossless audio support, allowing them perform as premium Hi-Fi headphones when wired.

For a less expensive option the Monoprice B-600ANC is a light, comfortable pair of wireless over-ear headphones that have high-quality sound and outstanding noise cancellation for the price. These headphones have a wide range of features, including ambient awareness and ANC modes, touch controls as well as AAC and aptX support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The bt headphones wireless-600ANC is also one of the only pairs of headphones to feature a programmable ambient awareness mode, which lets you listen to the background noise at a lower level without switching off the music.

Battery Life

The worst thing you could happen is to be unable to get juice halfway through an extended commute or workout. Wireless headphones remove the need for a cord and offer an easier solution. However, their battery power diminishes with time, so you'll need a pair with impressive endurance capabilities.

Some models are able to remain running for several days or weeks on just one charge. This is a long-lasting feature that comes with compromises. To get there, manufacturers must reduce the size of the battery or compromise other features. The best wireless headphones have an excellent balance between battery capacity and performance.

Over-ear headphones usually come with larger batteries, however the bulky design means they also consume more power to run features like active noise cancelling. On-ear headsets are more compact and lightweight. However, they do not have the same noise-blocking features as their larger counterparts.

In terms of battery longevity, the Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless have set the bar for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for up to 60 hours with ANC. They are able to easily outlast top headphones in a similar price range like Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's 740 III.

Similarly, Focal's debut wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 headphones sport an open-back design that is comfortable to wear. The headphones deliver a dynamic sound profile with an emphasis on the thumpy bass and the bright trebles. The Focal Px8 headphones also feature a companion app that lets you adjust the sound to suit your preferences.

On the other side, Focal's wireless headphones are also among the most expensive in the market. This is due to their premium materials and construction. The headphones also have an option for fast charging that allows you to get two hours of music within just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are an excellent choice if you're willing to trade in a longer battery life in exchange for superior sound quality and the comfort of a snug fit.

Comfort

As opposed to earbuds and earphones, over-ear headphones rest on the ears instead of around them. This means the ear pads press less against your ears, which reduces the amount of pressure on your earlobes and allows you to listen longer. Ear cups also help to keep your music in place which makes it more immersive and give you an amazing audio experience. This also increases audio clarity since you can listen to every detail of the song without being distracted by other noise or the sound of your own voice.

On the other hand, many over-ear headphones don't have the same portability as earbuds. The bulkier construction and lack of folding mechanisms make them harder to fit in a backpack or pockets. A case is also needed to protect them when they are not in use. While most headphones come with a carrying case, it can be cumbersome and may be a hinderance for those who want to listen to music while on the move.

This pair of wireless headphones is the ideal option for audiophiles looking for top-quality headphones that can be worn while travelling. The Bose QC35 II is a premium headphone that provides great comfort, sound quality and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. The earcups are made of premium materials and the headband is extremely comfortable. The audio quality has improved from its predecessor with a more clear and rich sound. You can also alter the sound to suit your preferences by using a companion app which includes an EQ and presets.

Focal Bathys wireless headphones are another premium alternative. They feature high-end design and plenty of comfort. They are available in a range of colors, and feature premium leather. They look elegant enough to go with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy. This produces more punchy and thumpy sound that is perfect for EDM and Hip-Hop as well as other dance music genres. Vocals and instruments may sound veiled or buried in the mix, which you can fix with the Focal audio app's built-in graphic equalizer.

While it's difficult to say which kind of headphone is more comfortable the overall experience will depend on your personal preference. If you prefer headphones for over-ear use with a thicker padding, select a model that has a medium clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from feeling swollen even when ANC is on.