Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They tend to be made for audiophiles, and come with features like active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair with ANC and 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 WH-1000XM5 is Sony's most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation range. The headphones are updated with a new design and enhanced ANC. They also have many of the same features, but they have superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

At only 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're reading or listening a book. The headband is supple, 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 is able to please casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass but is not too loud or harsh. The earphones online boast a huge and spacious soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups also feature touch controls that are easy to use. Swipe up or down to alter 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 simultaneously and due to an inbuilt sensor, they automatically pause the playback when removed from your head. You can enable the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without removing 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). They come with a durable carrying case made from premium fabric and a USB-C cable for charging. 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 excellent. In our test we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC activated which is more than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, delivering high-end performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming and optimized active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully placed inside each earcup for an even more focused and immersive listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone let you control your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

The headphones have a elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups and a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium but don't feel tight. The new design and shape required a lot of time to perfect, and provides an easy clamping force that doesn't press too hard on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 ounces (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and just a little thinner. They're light enough to fit in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and they'll stay comfortable in your hand during long listens. A strong hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them for easy transport in the protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is ideal for high-resolution audio as well as fast video sync. You can also 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 that flashes green to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W app provides the same features as the hardware onboard buttons including bass and treble adjustment, action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. The app also displays an album cover and track's name when you play music from your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets and a soundscapes mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones and was designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction has been optimized to provide the highest resolution in detail that covers all the spectrum of frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic sound you'll ever hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier will be needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which will increase the output and enhance the sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame, and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalistic and they don't look fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their build are top-quality. They come with a carrying pouch and an extra audio cable, as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are somewhat light on bass. This is due to the open-back design provides a wide and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble is excellent, with minor drops and peaks. The region of the treble has a linearity, so you will not have any issues with piercingsibilants, or Headphones Shops Near Me the upper bite of the drum snare.

Despite not having a loud bass, they can still produce a punch and dynamism when required. They'll still be enjoyable for those who love listening to rock music that has strong basslines, however they may not be as enjoyable as some of the other models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

These Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful midrange. They are a linear pair with a slight incline in the upper mids, which won't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They are also able to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals, which is a big plus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fitting make them a great choice. The headphones are expensive but they will last you for a long time and will perform in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of headphones for those looking to pass the time or simply want an affordable pair of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch which will provide protection when you throw them in a bag and their battery can last for many long-haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles on a plane, though their audio profile is warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to navigate and well-marked. On the left earcup there are buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones shops near me, as well as for turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see controls for playing back media. This includes a multi-function key that activates your phone's voice assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about it later). The built-in mic can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offer a rich and immersive listening experience due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones uk shop offer exceptional clarity and detail, as their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a pity. This means you won't be in a position to benefit from the superior codec's lower latency when you're playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are soft enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing any discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to your individual head shape. You can also listen to your music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is included for charging the battery.