Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you into music. They are typically tuned for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control apps.
The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile app to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancelling lineup. The headphones feature a brand new design and have improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but with superior sound quality and higher-end materials.
They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250 grams. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband features a friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.
The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sonic signature that is designed to please casual music lovers as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, yet it is not harsh or overpowering. The earphones feature a wide and wide soundstage, as well as excellent instrument separation. This allows you to listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups have touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. You can swipe forward to access the next track, reverse to hear 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 whenever you take them off your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right-ear cup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without removing the headphones.
They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of top quality fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. In our test of the standard battery we had 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.
The WH1000XM5 is a great mic for voice calls. There's no muffled or static sound in the background. Noise cancellation is also great and these headphones are perfect for public transportation and the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 provides a significant improvement over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and performance. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a premium model with a variety of features, including 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 and angled inside each earcup, offer more immersive and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone lets you control music and calls from any device compatible with it.
As with the original PX7, these headphones are sleek and elegant with accent rings around each earcup, and an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium, but don't feel tight. The redesigned form and shape took a long time to perfect, delivering an easy clamping force that isn't too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.
At 10.8 grams (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and are slightly thinner. They're light enough to carry in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place for long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them up to make it easy to transport them in the protective case.
The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio aswell as tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful touch with a green flash to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.
The B&W app has similar controls to the buttons on the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album cover and track titles. However, headphones online store like music presets or soundscapes feature aren't available.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones and is made to meet the highest expectations. The design and construction of the headphones is optimized to give a detail resolution that encompasses all frequencies, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic audio you'll hear on headphones with open backs.
The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is required to drive it at desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, since this can double the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.
The headphones are designed for professional use and feature a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of plastics and leather padding. The design is simple and doesn't resemble an expensive pair of headphones, however they feel luxurious in the palm and are well-built. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.
With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are a bit light on bass. 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 also has a linear quality and you won't have issues with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.
Despite the lack of a loud bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when it is needed. These headphones are still great for those who enjoy rock music with punchy basses however they might not sound as great as the other models on this list.
In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are a linear pair with a slight incline in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations which is an added benefit.
The HD 800 S is a pair of premium headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. They are a top choice because of their outstanding audio quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are costly, however they will last for a long time and will perform in any situation.
Anker Soundcore Life q20
The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good pair of headphones for those looking to pass the time or just want an affordable pair of headphones that cancel out noise. The headphones come with a basic case which protects the headphones when you place them in the bag. Their battery can last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles when on the plane, but 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 earcup, you'll see buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see media playback controls. This includes a multi-function control that activates your phone's voice assistant and turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). The built-in mic can be used to make phone calls hands-free.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide a rich and immersive listening experience, due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones can provide outstanding clarity and detail, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.
One important thing to be aware of about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means that you won't not be able to benefit of the better codes' lower latency while playing on your computer.
The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are soft enough to be worn for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adjust to your unique head shape. You can also listen to your music with a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is provided for charging the battery.