How Headphones Transformed My Life For The Better

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you in the music. They are usually made for audiophiles, and come with features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile app for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support hi-res audio for wired listening through USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 earphones uk from Sony are the latest model in their noise cancelling lineup. They sport a new design, enhanced ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors, but with premium materials and slightly higher-quality sound.

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, weighing 250 grams. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband features a friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which keeps your ears from getting too cold.

With a sound quality that can satisfy casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass, but it isn't overpowering or harsh. The merchandise earphones feature a wide and wide soundstage, as well as excellent instrument separation. This lets you hear the details in your music. The earcups have touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe forward to play the next track, then back to hear the previous track and then up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can be used for xilubbs.xclub.tw connecting to two devices at the same time and, thanks to a built-in sensor, they will automatically pause the playback when removed from your head. You can activate ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other useful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made from premium fabric and an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers running Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is excellent. In our most basic test we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC activated which is much better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic mic for voice calls. There is no muffled or static sound in the background. Noise cancellation is also great, and these headphones are great for public transportation and the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and improved performance. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 is a premium model with a variety of features like 24-bit wireless streaming with active noise cancellation that is optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully angled inside each earcup for an even more focused and immersive listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote lets you control calls and music from any device compatible with it.

The headphones sport a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups and a silver sheen for the headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly, but not too tightly on the cranium. The new design and shape required a lot of time to perfect, and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard on my own cranium that is rotund.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are slightly smaller. They're light enough to fit in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place for long listens. The headband is foldable using a sturdy hinge at the back.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is ideal for high-resolution audio as well as precise video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful gesture with a green flash to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W App provides the same features that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes as well as other features. The app also shows an album cover and track title when you play music on your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets and soundscapes mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to achieve a detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever experience on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, which means it requires a top-quality headphone amplifier that can drive it at the right levels, without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which can increase the output and enhance the sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use and have a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of leather and plastic. The design is minimalist and doesn't look extravagant however the quality of the headphones and their build are excellent. They come with a carrying pouch and an additional audio cable and a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals in a natural way, even although they are a bit less bass-y. This is because the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding with only minor peaks and dips. The treble area is extremely linear, which means you won't have issues with hitting sibilants or the upper impact of the drum snare.

They can still provide impact as well as dynamism and impact when needed despite the lack of a booming low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who enjoy listening to rock music with powerful basslines, but they might not be as fun as some of the other models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

These Sennheiser headphones have a great mid-range. They are very linear and have a slight scoop in the upper mids that should not be noticeable to the majority of listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is a nice benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fit make them a top choice. The headphones are costly, but they'll last for many years and perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that can provide the perfect solution for anyone who needs to relax or just wants an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic case that protects them when you throw them into a bag. Their battery can last for several long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles from the plane, but their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup, there are buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup you'll find controls for playing back media, including a multi-function button that allows you to activate the voice assistant on your phone and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). You can also make use of the built-in microphone to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offers a deep and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones can provide outstanding clarity and detail, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out an extended range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a pity. This means you will not be able to benefit of the higher codes' lower latency when playing games on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adjust to your individual 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.