The Reason Why Headphones Is The Obsession Of Everyone In 2023

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you in the music. They are usually designed for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the latest model in their noise cancelling lineup. They sport a new design, improved ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors but with premium materials and slightly higher quality sound.

At just 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're extremely comfortable to wear, even if you're reading or listening a book. The headband features a friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature that has been designed to please casual music lovers as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, however it is not harsh or overpowering. They have a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation, which allows you to hear specifics in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe forward to play the next track, then back to listen to the previous one as well as up and down to control the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at once and due to an inbuilt sensor, they will automatically pause the playback when removed from your head. You can also turn on ambient mode by resting your palm on the right earcup and allowing you to hear what's going on around you without taking off the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of high-end fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and improved performance. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features like 24-bit wireless streaming and active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are precisely positioned inside each earcup to provide a more focused, immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

The headphones have a elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, and a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tight on the cranium. The new form and shape was perfected over many months and offers a comfortable clamping pressure that isn't too hard on my skull.

At 10.8 grams (or [Redirect-iFrame] 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and are slightly thinner. They're light enough for carrying in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place for long listens. A strong hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them up for easy transport in an enclosed case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio aswell as tight 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 touch, flashing green to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W app offers similar controls to the onboard buttons in the hardware - bass and treble adjustment and assigning action buttons wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and much more. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. Popular extras such as music presets, soundscapes and music mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones by Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet most demanding requirements. Its engineering was designed to give an incredible detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever experience with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, so a good headphone amplifier will be needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which can double the output and improve the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mixture of leather and plastic padding. 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 case, 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 due to the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region is also extremely smooth, meaning you'll not have issues piercing sibilants and the upper sound of a snare drum.

They can still deliver impact, dynamism and impact in the event of need, despite the absence of a booming low-end. They'll still be a great choice for those who enjoy listening to music with punchy basslines, but they may not be as fun as some of the models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

The Sennheiser headphones gaming have a great mid-range. They are linear with a slight scoop on the upper mids that won't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals, which is a big benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are ideal for professionals and audiophiles. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fit make them a top option. They are expensive, but they'll last for a long time and will perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone who wants to relax or simply want an affordable pair of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a simple bag which protects the headphones when you place them into the bag. Their battery can last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles on an airplane, although their audio profile is a little warmer and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left ear cup there are buttons to power up and pair the headphones, as well as for turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are controls for playback of media that include a multi-function switch that allows you to activate the voice assistant of your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and rich listening experience, thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that offer certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones jbl wireless feature a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling is designed to block out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

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

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to the shape of your head. You can also listen to your music with a 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB cable is included to charge the battery.