Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

On the train or at work the noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute must for those who love to listen. Which ones are the best, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They offer a new design and superior audio quality as well as impressive features. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the top model of the series. This model is a great pair of headphones, especially for those who commute or are traveling. They are comfortable, feature multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously, and have the best ANC Sony's ever produced. They are lightweight and can run up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough for a week of daily commutes or an extended flight.

The WH-1000XM5s feature a sleek minimalist design. They are made from recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The branding is minimalist. There's the tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned by a plush soft material that is comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted to ensure that you get the best fit for you.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out ambient noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps to block out the noise of engines and cabins on flights, for example. The XM5s come with another processor to increase noise cancellation more on planes and the audio app will also automatically adjust your listening environment using air pressure data.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's easy to use and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. The XM5s are compatible with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They are compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio via Sony's LDAC but not HD or aptX.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (Glud-Wind-4.Blogbright.Net)

Sennheiser has been making headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect superior sound quality, and a cosy fit. They've delivered on both counts with their latest headphones, called the Momentum 4 Wireless. They have reworked their design to remove some characteristic elements that gave their previous models the look of an aviator. They also enhanced active noise cancellation using their latest Adaptive Noise Cancellation Technology. They've rated these headphones to last 60 hours of listening time when ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of most rivals.

They're also much more portable than the previous model as they fold up and are smaller overall. They're made with artificial PU leather for the replaceable ear pads and headband which feel comfortable on my head even if I wear them for the entire working. They are also not very tight, so you can wear them on long flights or even during workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear However, there are a few peaks in the low-mid and high-mid that cause a slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is overemphasised, adding some extra impact and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a major issue, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid also has a sloppy balance, bringing vocals and instruments forward in the mix but at the cost of bringing out some sibilants.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless has all of the usual features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside noises into your music for better awareness, and mobile application support for custom and pre-set EQ options. They can also be connected with an 3.5mm cable if you're connecting to your phone via wire. They can use SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they're able to reduce the latency to as little as a quarter of a second which is fantastic.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top choice on many lists of most reliable Bluetooth headsets due to their outstanding ANC and wireless noise cancelling headphones the sound quality. But, like all wireless headphones, they've been getting older and needed to be refreshed, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just tweaked the design of the new version, but has made substantial improvements to ANC and also added voice-calling features, too.

The first thing you will notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is how light they are. This makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the look is reminiscent of the previous model, such as the cool oval aluminium earcup top-plate as well as the hook-like design on the headband that glids rather than clicks as you expand it and the actual physical buttons. The earcups are smaller, and the headband is less substantial.

The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However you don't have as much control as you do with headphones that cost more. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different environmental modes. It can also be set to call the voice assistant on your device via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for most musical styles. It offers a wide soundstage and a good separation of different sound elements. It shines especially on selections that feature acoustic instruments like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with woody instrumental tones and a sense of air. It can also handle heavier songs as well. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll, To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth, give an imposing soundscape while still allowing listeners to discern vocal nuances like Lars-Goran Petrov’s gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Though they had an unwavering position in the market for many years but they are now competing with more modern headsets that have more features and better sound quality. That said, the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal choice for anyone who wants to hear their podcasts or music without being disturbed by continuous rumbles and hums.

They're also comfortable to wear and come with a an incredibly balanced default sound profile. 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 to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They have a passive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noise yet still keeps you secluded from your surroundings. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share", so you can listen to something on one set of headphones while answering an incoming phone call from the other set of headphones.

The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the full EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, however the sound quality is drastically reduced and the battery longevity isn't as good as wireless models.

The QC35s are a bose over the ear headphones noise cancelling product, which may not be for all. Other brands offer more sleek designs. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the coming year, you'll be able customize the color of the earcups as well as the headbands, just like the QC25 model from earlier.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that you can buy today. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they are able to block out more ambient noise and feel better-built. They also have a premium companion app that provides numerous sound-related features that can be customized.

The XM3s' excellent audio quality is one of the main reasons why they're popular, and they've been upgraded since their release to provide even better performance. They're a bit more detail in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is superior at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts how much external sound is let in based on where you are and what you're doing.

They're not without their own problems, however. The mid-range can sound too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. And they still have a tendency to increase bass too much in some tracks, making them sound too full and heavy. You can correct this issue by using the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for those who commute and frequent travel. They are more comfortable, appear and feel premium, and are durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a larger battery and one of the most effective noise cancelling features available. They're also more flexible and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, although their noise isolation is less impressive. They're also not waterproof, which could be a deal breaker for some.