Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Whether you're on the train or in the office, noise-cancelling headphones are a godsend for anyone who loves to listen. Which ones are the best, though?

With a brand new design with superior sound quality and an enviable list of features, Sony's new flagship headphones offer exceptional value. From the raucous chorus to Sinead O'Connor's unstable bridge, these headphones deliver superb detail and real-world realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a pro at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of this line. A few well-thought-out enhancements over ear headphones with noise cancelling the XM4s makes this model an excellent all-round pair of headphones, particularly for commuters and travelers. They are comfortable, feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously and feature the most powerful ANC Sony's ever produced. They're light and can run for up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough time for a week of commutes or an extended flight.

The WH-1000XM5s feature an elegant, minimalist design and are made from recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Branding is minimal, though there is a tiny "Sony" logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned with plush soft material that is comfortable on all but the largest heads. The ears can be adjusted to perfect fit your head.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, over the ear headphones Wireless noise cancelling which cancels out ambient sounds. This improves overall quality of the sound, and helps to reduce engine and cabin noises on flights. The XM5s come with a second processor to enhance noise cancellation more on planes and the audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment using air pressure data.

Other features of the WH1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that is easy to use and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to enable stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming using Sony's LDAC codec, but don't support aptX or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If a company has been making headphones for as long as Sennheiser, you expect class-leading sound quality and a comfy fit. With their new over the ear headphones wireless noise cancelling (http://www.softjoin.co.kr)-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they provide both. They have reworked their design to eliminate a few trademark elements that gave their earlier models the look of an aviator. They also upgraded active noise cancellation with their newest Adaptive Noisy Cancellation Technology. They've rated the headphones to last for 60 hours of listening with ANC enabled, which doubles the battery life of most competitors.

They're also a lot more mobile than the previous model since they fold up and are smaller overall. They're made of synthetic PU leather for the re-usable headband and earpads which feel comfortable on my head even when I wear them for the entire day at work. They are also not very tight, so you can wear them for long flights or even during your workout.

The sound is clear and well-balanced, though there are some peaks in the low-mid and high-mid which cause slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is too loud with a lot of energy and thump in genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not a huge deal, but some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid area has a little uneven balance which pushes instruments and vocals to the forefront of mixes, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants within certain songs.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless comes with all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that mixes outside sounds into your music to enhance awareness and mobile application support for custom and preset EQ options. They can also be used with an 3.5mm cable if you're connecting your phone to it via wire. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device, and they're able to cut down latency by up to 25 and that's a huge benefit.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their launch in 2004, the original PX7s have appeared on countless lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, and have been ranked high in many cases thanks to their outstanding ANC and strong sound quality. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were getting old and required a refresh. This is why the PX7S2. B&W did not just alter the design however, they also made improvements to ANC, and added more features for voice calls.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is just how lightweight they are, which makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is mostly the same as the previous model. This includes the stylish oval-shaped aluminium top-plate that is used for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are smaller however, and the headband is a bit less bulky overall.

The software from B&W lets you adjust EQ settings for bass and treble, however, you don't have as much control over the mix between those two elements like you do on more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the environmental modes and can be set within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a soundstages that have plenty of space and excellent separation between the various sound elements. It shines in particular on works that showcase acoustic instruments, like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones and a sense of air. It can also handle heavier songs as well. The bass power and midrange clarity of Entombed's garage/deathn'roll crossover To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth, give an imposing soundscape while keeping things clear to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. Although they held a stranglehold on the market for a long time but they are now competing with more modern headphones that offer more features and superior audio quality. However, the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal option for those who want to hear their podcasts and music without being interrupted by constant rumbles and hums.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC is excellent at eliminating background noise. However it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than other headphones such as the Sony WH1000XM5.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones for listening to audiobooks and podcasts. They feature a passive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noise cancelling headset with mic yet still keeps you secluded from the world around you. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share", so you can listen to music with one set of headphones while taking an incoming phone call from the other set of headphones.

The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, however the sound quality is drastically diminished and battery life isn't as great as with wireless models.

The QC35s sport a classic Bose style that may not appeal to some consumers as the sleeker designs of other brands. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a cover with decals from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headbands, just like the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can get right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. They also have a premium companion app that gives you numerous sound-related features that can be customized.

The XM3's excellent audio quality is one of their biggest draws, and they've been upgraded since their release to provide the best performance. They're equipped with a little more depth in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is superior at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded controls like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you are and what you're doing.

There are some problems, however. The midrange can sound too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. They do have the potential to boost the bass too much on certain tracks, which makes them sound too heavy and full. But this is something you can correct through the headphone settings or through EQ adjustments in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, specifically for commuters and frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless, and they have a better battery and one of the best noise cancellation features available on the market. They're also more flexible and better-equipped to use on the go than Audio-Technica's M50X wireless, although their noise cancelling is less impressive. And they're not waterproof, which can be a major issue for some people.