Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones and prices are designed to surround your ears and immerse you in the music. They are usually designed for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that includes ANC, a mobile app to alter 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 most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation line-up. They have a fresh new design, enhanced ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors but with premium materials and slightly more premium sound quality.

With only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're reading or listening an audiobook. The headband is soft, and has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature created to please casual music lovers as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, yet it's not harsh or overpowering. The earphones have a large and open soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This allows you to be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups also have touch controls that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track or reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices simultaneously and, thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically pause the playback when removed from your head. You can turn on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other helpful features include the possibility of pairing 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 top quality fabric, as well as a USB-C cable for charging. The Headphones shop work with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers operating Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is awe-inspiring. In our test we were able achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 is a great microphone for making calls. There's no muffled or static sound in the background. The noise cancellation performance is excellent and they're a great choice for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming and optimized active noise cancellation, and clear voice quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled in each earcup, offer more deep and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity even in noisy surroundings. A built-in remote and microphone allows you to control music and calls from any device that is compatible.

Similar to the original PX7 The headphones sport sleek and elegant, with accent rings around each earcup and a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably, but not too tightly on the cranium. The new shape and form was refined over a period of time and offers a comfortable clamping pressure that isn't too hard on my rotund skull.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to fit in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place for long listens. A sturdy 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 great for high-resolution audio as well as precise video sync. You can also play them wired too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful gesture that flashes green to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W App has the same features that the buttons on the hardware provide including bass and treble adjustment, action button assignments wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes, etc. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music from your iPhone. However, some popular features such as music presets or soundscapes feature are not available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones for sale and is made to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to provide the highest resolution in detail that covers all frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also provides the most realistic sound you'll ever experience on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier to operate at the right levels, without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended since this can double the output power and improve the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and they're not fancy however the quality of the headphones and their build are superb. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable, and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with a natural sound, even though they are a little light on bass. The open-back design creates an expansive out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding, with only minor dips and peaks. The treble area is extremely smooth, meaning you'll not have issues hitting sibilants or the upper sound of the drum snare.

Despite the lack of a loud bass, they can still produce a punch and dynamism when needed. They'll still be enjoyable for those who love listening to music with punchy basslines, but they may not be as enjoyable as some of the models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are very linear, with a slight scoop in the upper mids that shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They are also able to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals which is a major plus.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fit make them a top choice. The headphones are costly, headphones Shop but they'll last for a long time and will perform in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that can be a great choice for anyone who needs to relax or just wants an affordable pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag that will protect them when you throw them in the bag. Their battery can last for several long-haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles. However, their audio quality is a bit heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons to pair and power up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, there are media playback controls. This includes a multi-function key that activates the phone's voice assistant and switches on Anker BassUp (more about this 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 deep listening experience, due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones feature an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling is specifically designed to block out a variety of low- and mid-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a pity. This means you won't able to take advantage of the superior headphones shop codec's low latency when playing on your computer.

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