Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The Focal Bathys are a wireless speaker with ANC and a mobile app for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's latest addition to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation lineup. They have a fresh new design, upgraded ANC and a lot of the same features that their predecessors had but with better materials and slightly higher-quality sound.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones, with just 250g. They are very comfortable to wear, even if you're reading or listening an audiobook. The headband features a friction rod design, similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which keeps your ears from getting too cold.

With a sound quality that can satisfy people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass, but it isn't excessively loud or harsh. They have a wide and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups are also equipped with control buttons that are easy to use. Swipe forward to play the next track, back to hear the previous track, and up and down to control the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices at once and will automatically stop playback when you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can also turn on ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup, which allows you to be aware of what's happening around you, without taking off 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). They come with a sturdy carrying case made from top quality fabric, as well as a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers operating Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is exceptional. In our test of the standard battery, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone for making calls. There is no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent, and these headphones bluetooth are ideal for public transportation or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over ear headphones [wiggins-topp-2.Blogbright.net] its predecessor. It features a range of new features and improved performance. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit, optimized active noise cancellation, and clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully placed inside each earcup to provide an enhanced, more deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music on any compatible device.

The headphones have a elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings that wrap around the earcups as well as a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium, but never feel tight. The redesigned form and shape took a long time to perfect, delivering a comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are a touch smaller. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and remain in place during long listening sessions. The headband can be folded using a sturdy hinge at the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio as well as a fast video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful touch, flashing green to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W app has the same controls as the onboard buttons in the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and much more. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app will display album covers and track titles. However, popular extras like music presets or a soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones by Sennheiser and is meant to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology is optimized to give an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic audio you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier to drive it to the levels you want without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended as this will double the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed for a professional use and feature a sturdy metal frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is minimalistic and doesn't look extravagant, but the quality of the headphones and their build are superb. They come with a carrying pouch and an extra audio cable, as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

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

They can still provide impact and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a loud low-end. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who enjoy rock music that has punchy bass however, they may not sound as great as other models on this list.

These Sennheiser headphones have a great midrange. They are very linear and have a slight slop in the upper mids that shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They also reproduce precise time gradations in vocals which is a major plus.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fitting make them a great choice. The headphones are costly, but they will last you for a long time and will perform in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone looking to kill time or simply need an affordable set of headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a basic bag which protects the headphones when you place them in a bag. Their battery can last for a long time on long-haul flights. The ANC works well to block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles, but their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones and for turning off or over ear headphones on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playing back media that include a multi-function switch which lets you turn on the voice assistant on your phone and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone delivers a rich immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver, which is certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that stretches up to 40 kHz the headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancellation technology is designed to filter out an extended range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while gaming on your PC.

In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headbands are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without causing any discomfort. The ear cups are also able to rotate so that they can adjust to the specific shape of your head so you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.