7 Little Changes That'll Make A Big Difference In Your Headphones…

Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend to those who love to listen, whether you're at work or commuting on the train. Which are the best?

With a fresh design with superior sound quality and a plethora of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer great value. They can capture every detail, from Sinead's trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is an expert in noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this line. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or are traveling. They're comfortable, have multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously, and offer the best ANC Sony has ever made. They're also lightweight and provide about 27 hours of playback without charging, which is enough to last a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimalist in design. They are made of ABS, a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. You'll find the tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned by a plush soft material that feels comfortable on all but the largest heads. The ears can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.

Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves to cancel out ambient sounds. This improves the overall sound quality, and can help reduce cabin and engine noise on flights. The XM5s have another processor to dial up noise cancellation even further on airplanes and the audio app can also automatically adapt your listening environment using the data from your air pressure.

Other features of the WH1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's simple to use and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products for multi-room music playback and stereo separation. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been making headphones for longer than Sennheiser is a top brand, you can expect superior best over Ear headphones Noise cancelling sound quality and a comfortable fit. With their latest over ear headphones with noise cancelling-ears dubbed Momentum 4 wireless noise cancelling headphones, they deliver on both fronts. They've reworked the design to remove certain elements that gave the earlier models the look of a aviator headset and also improved their active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. They've rated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of many rivals.

The new model is also more portable, since it folds up and is a bit smaller. The ear pads and headband are made of artificial PU leather that feels comfortable on my head even when I wear it all day. There's not a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place either which means they'll remain comfortable on flights and even during more intense workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, best over ear headphones noise cancelling however there are some highs that can add a bit of confusion to the mixes. The bass can be a bit overemphasized, which adds a little punch and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not an issue however it could be a problem for some listeners. The high-mid also has a sloppy balance, bringing vocals and instruments forward in the mix, but at the expense of bringing out some vocal sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all the usual features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside sounds into your music for improved awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. They can also be used with an 3.5mm cable for connecting your phone to it via wire. They can connect to your phone by using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can reduce delay by as much as one quarter second.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their introduction in the year 2000, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, topping them in many instances due to their exceptional ANC and strong sound quality. However, like many wireless headphones, the PX7s have been getting older and required an update, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just tweaked the design of the new version, but has made considerable improvements to ANC and also added more features for voice calls, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is how lightweight they are, which makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is basically the same as the model before it. This includes the stylish oval-shaped aluminium top-plate that is used for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides instead of clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are smaller though, and the headband feels a little less substantial overall.

B&W's software allows you to tweak EQ settings for treble and bass however, you don't have as much control over the mix of those two elements as you do with higher-end headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcups switches the modes of the environment. It can also be programmed to call the voice assistant of your device through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It offers a wide soundstage, and good separation of the different sound elements. It shines particularly on pieces featuring acoustic instruments like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon has woody tones with a sense air. It's also capable of handling heavier music, too, with the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's crossover of death-n'-rock and garage to Ride the Straight, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating an impressive sound wall while allowing to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They had a stranglehold for years but now they have to compete with newer headsets that have more features and better audio quality. That said the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal choice for anyone who wants to hear their podcasts and music without being interrupted by constant buzzing and rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is great at removing background noise. However, it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts The QC35s feature an impressive passive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noise while ensuring you are completely insulated from the sounds of the surrounding environment. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to music with one set of headphones while answering an incoming call on the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the sound quality is drastically reduced and battery longevity isn't as good as wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, but it may not be a favorite for everyone. Other manufacturers have sleeker designs. However, you can add a bit of personalization by buying a decal-covered cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the near future you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headband, just like with the earlier QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones with active noise cancellation you can buy today. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel much better-built. They also have a superior companion app that provides numerous sound-related features that can be customized.

The XM3's excellent audio quality is among their biggest draws and they've been improved since their introduction to provide even better performance. They're a bit more detail in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have better controls like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you're at and what you're doing.

However, they're not without flaws. The midrange can sound a bit recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. They are still prone to boost the bass too much on some tracks, which makes them sound too heavy and full. But that's something you can fix by changing the settings for your headphone or through EQ adjustment within the Sony app.

The XM3s make a great pair of headphones, especially for frequent travelers or commuters. They are more comfortable, look and feels premium, and last longer over the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery and one of the Best over ear headphones noise cancelling noise cancellation features available. They're also more versatile and more suitable for use on mobile devices than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise cancellation. And they're not waterproof which can be a major issue for some.