10 Untrue Answers To Common Over The Ear Headphones Wireless Questions…

Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts and music without the requirement to connect wires to your audio device. They're ideal for public transport, while at work or at home.

Wireless over-ear cans are offered in a variety of designs and noise cancelling capabilities. They are usually packed in a stylish case.

Soundcore Q30

These earphones are a significant upgrade from the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They are more attractive, feel more durable, and have a more polished look. They're still largely plastic but the hinges are a bit more secure and the soft protein leather ear cups are bigger. You can also swap out the 3.5mm cable for a better USB-C model to use them with stationary Hi-Fi systems and mobile Hi-Res players. They also come with dual mics built-in that worked flawlessly in our tests using FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app offers a wide variety introduction of bluetooth Technology EQ presets that can be saved and adjusted to listen to podcasts or music in the style that you prefer. This is the thing that sets these headphones apart from most other ANC headphones and the Soundcore app is very easy to use.

When ANC is on, the Q30's 40mm drivers cut out almost all ambient noise and make for excellent listening. The Q30's sound is natural, however it lags it is a bit the treble. Some might find the bass response lacking (we have had better results with the Bass Booster equalizer). However, you can easily fix this with the Soundcore app, since there's an eight-band equalizer to help you tinker.

The left ear cup has a power button, a pairing button, and USB-C charging port. The right earcup features buttons for play/pause, volume up/down and volume up/down. Double-clicking these controls lets you skip tracks or repeat the previous one. They also support a voice command, so you can request to change the mode or set an alarm. You can also cover the right earcup with your hand to activate ambient modes, so that you can hear the world around you without taking off the headphones.

These headphones have a great battery life. In our tests with ANC switched on the Q30 ran for almost an hour longer than its competitors. This lets you enjoy an extended flight or a full day at work. The included USB-C cord allows you to quickly recharge them. You'll also get an alert when the battery is about to run out.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of powerful over-ear headphones that feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. They're made to be a premium bluetooth headphones, high-end headphone that are great for listening to music and podcasts on the go but also sound amazing when used for audiophile home use as well. They're more expensive than similar headphones but their superior sound quality is the main selling factor.

The Focal Bathys come in a small elegant white box with a fabric finish. It includes all the accessories that you'll need. You can also get a fold-flat carry case for the headphones, a USB-C 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 to music and also have an audio input for wired use. When they're wirelessly connected, they're connected via Bluetooth and you'll be able control their functions using an app (now known as Focal & Naim likely in line with their English sister brand Naim's products for audio that are network-aware) or using the button on the left ear cup that scrolls between ANC profiles such as'silent','soft' transparent', and full.

The app allows you to modify various settings, including the brightness of the LEDs as well as the EQ presets (including music's profile, which sounds brighter and neutraler than the other profiles) and the battery life. You can also select the ANC mode and level and select an 'acoustic environment setting to alter the sensitivity to mimic the sound of headphones in a different room.

The Focal Bathys feature an incredibly bass-rich profile that gives additional warmth, punch and impact to your favourite tracks. The result is that vocals and instruments can be muted, and details like cymbals might be less noticeable than on other headphones. They're also not as effective in active noise cancellation when contrasted to other headphones with higher-end technology like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are renowned for their high-end quality and the WH1000XM5 is not an exception. It is a top pick in the over-ear headphone market, which is a mainstream market and is in the luxury lifestyle segment in which brands like Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are located. The XM5s can be expensive however, if you are able to find them, there's not a better pair of wireless headphones.

The XM5s are loaded with a number of features that simplify the lives of the listener, and also automate tasks that they would have to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music compressed to near hi-res) as well as Bluetooth's LDAC Technology are all included. That allows for streaming of high-quality audio with bitrates higher than conventional bluetooth wireless headphones. The built-in microphone is capable of 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 for removing the constant drones heard in underground and train carriages. The XM5s are also excellent at separating listeners from the noises of busy streets and airports.

The sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s do not have as many details in the low-frequency range as the XM4, however they do possess an increased sense of clarity and openness. The bass in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head shows the Sonys strength and clarity, without affecting the music. The XM5s are also able to deliver precise and tight bass notes on Massive Attack's Angel.

Battery life is also good, providing up to 30 hours of listening with ANC active and up to 40 hours when it's off. This is more than enough to last an entire weekend or a few days of heavy use.

The only issue is that the XM5s do not have any dust or water resistance protection. In fact, Sony recommends that you avoid sweating on them or wear them out in the rain. This might not be a problem for some people, but it might prove a stumbling block for those who spend a lot of their time at the gym or lives in a city that is rainy.

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max is a pair of wireless headphones over-ear that come with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. They feature 40mm dynamic drivers that are designed by Apple and have a a neutral audio profile that is focused on the mids and highs while not going overboard on either ends of the spectrum. This makes them great for both music and movies. They also offer superior fidelity compared to most competing pairs of headphones.

The headphones are lightweight and feel comfortable on your head. The ear cups, which are made of memory foam covered with woven fabric and fit comfortably over the ears they do not place pressure on the sides or forehead. The ear cups also tilt and rotate to accommodate various head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges offer a firm, but not too strong clamping force to ensure that the ear cups stay in position during listening sessions.

A small button at the top of the right earcup allows you to switch between noise cancelling modes. You can also use an earphone-style jog dial with a push button similar to the digital Crown on the Apple Watch. You can twist it for volume control and press it one three, twice, or times to playback the controls. Siri is invoked by pressing and pressing the button. These buttons are well-placed and easy to use, but I missed having a power button to switch off the headphones when not in use. The headphones automatically switch to standby mode when they are removed from your ear or placed in their case. They only wake up when you slide them over your head once more.

Spatial audio is another cool feature. It makes use of gyroscopes, accelerometers, and Introduction Of Bluetooth Technology iPhones or iPads to determine where you're moving. Then, it adjusts the sounds to make them appear to come from the location you are in. This creates an immersive theater-like experience for movies and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. Only iOS devices are able to listen to audio in spatial format.

The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I'd feel a little ripped off when I spend $549 at an Apple Store knowing that the second-generation model would be better in the next year. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and improved battery life, making it hard to justify the extra expense for most people.