How To Tell The Headphones Right For You

Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's latest addition to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation line-up. They sport a new design, upgraded ANC, and many of the same features as their predecessors, but with premium materials and slightly higher quality sound.

At only 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. They are very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're reading or listening to an audiobook. The headband is soft, and it has an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

With an audio quality that can satisfy casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass, but it isn't overpowering or harsh. They feature a wide and open soundstage with good instrument separation, which allows you to hear details in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track, backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices at once and, thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can also turn on ambient mode by resting your palm on the right ear cup and allowing you to listen to what's happening around you, without taking off the headphones.

Other helpful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of high-end fabric and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is awe-inspiring. In our standard test, we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC turned on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery duration of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic microphone for making calls. There's no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent, shop Headphones and these headphones are perfect 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. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits enhanced active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully angled inside each earcup for an enhanced, more deep listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer excellent call clarity even in noisy surroundings. A remote inline and microphone lets you control your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

As with the PX7's original design The headphones sport sleek and elegant with accent rings around each earcup, and a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned with memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium, yet never feel tight. The new design and shape was perfected over many months and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that isn't into my skull.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to carry in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place for long listening sessions. The headband can be folded up using a sturdy hinge at the back.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for high-resolution audio as well as fast video sync. You can play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful feature, flashing green to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W App offers the same controls that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer including bass and treble adjustment, action button assignments, wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes, etc. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music from your iPhone. Popular extras such as music presets and soundscapes mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones, and is made to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction was designed to provide stunning detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic spatial audio you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms, therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier to drive it at the right levels, without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which will increase the output and boost the quality of sound.

These Merchandise Headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalistic and doesn't look extravagant however the quality of the headphones and their build are top-quality. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

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