How To Recognize The Headphones That's Right For You

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you into audio. They are generally tuned for audiophiles, and have features like active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that includes ANC as well as a mobile app to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 earphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation line-up. They feature a new design, improved ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors but with better materials and slightly higher-quality sound.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones at 250 grams. They're very comfortable to wear, even when you're reading or listening to a book. The headband is soft and it has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature that has been created to please people who listen to music for pleasure as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, but it's not abrasive or overpowering. They feature a wide and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that lets you hear specifics in your music. The earcups have touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. You can swipe forward to access the next track, back to listen to the previous one as well as up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices at once and will automatically stop playback when you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right earcup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other useful 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 carrying case made of premium fabric, and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is superb. In our test of the standard battery we recorded 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on calls is exceptional and there's no distorted or static-y sounding background. Noise-canceling is also excellent, and these headphones are perfect for public transportation or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, delivering premium performance and features. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits enhanced active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, that are custom-designed and angled in each earcup, offer more immersive and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you manage your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

The headphones sport a similar elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups, and a silver sheen for the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably, but not too tightly on the cranium. The new shape and form was developed over the course of several months and provides a comfortable clamping pressure that isn't into my rotund skull.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and stay in place comfortably throughout long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in an enclosed case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio as well as tight video sync. You can also play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful feature with a green flash to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W app offers the same features as the hardware onboard buttons such as bass and treble adjustments and assigning action buttons wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. However, popular extras like music presets and soundscapes feature are not available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. Its technical construction has been optimized to provide a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic audio you can get from open-back headphones.

The buy headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier that can drive it to the levels you want without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, since this can double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed to be used by professionals and have a sturdy steel frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is simple and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carry pouch and an extra audio cable and an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments in a natural way, even though they are a little light on bass. The open-back design creates a wide, out-of-head phones uk soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor peaks and drops. The treble region also is linear and head phones Uk you won't be able to deal with piercingsibilants or even the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still deliver impact, dynamism and impact when required, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who enjoy listening to rock music that has powerful basslines, but they may not be as enjoyable as some of the competing models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They're very straight and have a slight slop in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations, which is a bonus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of premium headphones that are ideal for professionals and audiophiles. They are a top choice because of their outstanding sound quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are expensive however they will last for years and perform well in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will be a great choice for anyone looking to kill some time or simply needs a cheap pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a simple bag which protects them when you throw them into a bag. The battery will last multiple long-haul flights. The ANC works well to block out loud passengers and engine rumbles. However, their audio quality is a bit heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to use and clearly marked. On the left earcup there are buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones and for turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are media playback controls that include a multi-function switch that allows you to activate your phone's voice assistant and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in mic can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and rich listening experience thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and clarity, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out an extended range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means that you won't not be able take advantage of the better codes' lower latency when playing games on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of turning and adjust to the particular shape of your head so you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.