Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

If you're on the train or at work the noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute must for anyone who likes to listen. Which ones are the best, though?

Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They feature a brand new design and a superior audio quality as well as enviable features. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the master of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the best version of this series. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, particularly for commuters or travelers. They are comfortable, feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices at once and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever made. They're also lightweight and provide approximately 27 hours of playback without charging, which is plenty for a week's worth of commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimalist in design. They are made from ABS which is which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimal, although you'll find the 'Sony' logo on the hinge of each earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with a plush, soft material that's comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted so that they be perfectly sized for you.

In contrast to previous models, which were focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves with high frequency to cancel out background noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps to block out engine and cabin noise during flights, for instance. The XM5s comes with an additional processing unit that helps increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust the sound environment you are listening to based on air pressure data.

Other features of the WH-1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that's easy to use and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and many more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to allow multi-room music playback as well as stereo separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming using Sony's LDAC codec however they don't support the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect superior sound quality, as well as a comfortable fit. With their new over-ears, called Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've revamped the design to remove some of the distinctive elements that gave the previous models their aviator headset look and have also enhanced the active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. The headphones are designed to last for 60 hours with ANC on which is twice the battery life of a lot of competitors.

They're also much more portable than the previous model because they fold down and are smaller overall. They're made with artificial PU leather for the re-usable headband and earpads which feel comfortable on my head even when I wear them all working. They are also not very tight, which means you can wear them for long flights or even during workouts.

The sound is well-balanced and clear, though there are some peaks in the low-mid and high-mid, which can cause slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding a bit of punch and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a big deal however it could be a problem for some listeners. The high-mid area has a little uneven balance too that pushes instruments and vocals towards the front of the mix however at the expense of bringing out sibilants in certain songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a clear mode that blends outside noises into your music to improve awareness, and mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. They can also be connected with a 3.5mm cable for 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 can reduce the latency to as little as 25 and that's a huge benefit.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of most reliable Bluetooth headsets due to their outstanding ANC and audio quality. The PX7s, like most wireless headphones, were getting old and needed a new look. This is why the PX7S2. B&W didn't just change the design however, they also made improvements to ANC, and added more features for voice calls.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and get the PX7 S2 is just how light they are. This makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is basically identical to the previous model. It has the stylish oval-shaped aluminium top-plate for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, however, and the headband Headphonesshop.uk is a bit less large overall.

The software of B&W lets you alter the EQ settings for bass and treble. However, you don't have as much control as you do with more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcups switches the environmental modes. It can also be set to activate the voice assistant on your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and kmgosi.co.kr has a soundstages that have plenty of width and good separation between the various elements of sound. It shines in particular on works featuring acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with a woody tone and the feeling of air. It can also handle heavier fare and has the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's fusion of garage and death-n'-roll, Ride the Straight, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth giving an impressive sound wall while allowing to be able hear the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's sharp growl.

4. Bose QC 45: Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones QuietComfort 35

Bose is among the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. Though they had a stranglehold on the market for many years however, they are now competing against newer headsets with more features and better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to their podcasts or music without sound rumbles or hums.

The default sound profile is balanced, and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does an excellent job of eliminating background noise, though it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than newer headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, the QC35s have an impressive passive noise cancellation mode that cuts down on ambient noises while ensuring you are completely insulated from the hum of the world around you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" so you can play something on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming phone call on the other.

The Bose Connect app is decent but it doesn't have the vast EQ options of some other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, but the sound quality is significantly reduced and battery life is not as good as with wireless models.

The QC35s are a Bose product, but it may not be for all. Other manufacturers have sleeker designs. However, you can add a touch of personalization by buying a decal-covered cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the near future you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headband, just like with the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

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

The XM3s have a great sound quality, healthndream.com and ever since their launch, they've been upgraded to provide the best performance. They're equipped with a little more depth in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancellation is more effective at all levels of volume. They also have better controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. The new feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound let in based the location of your body and the activities you're doing.

However, they are not without shortcomings. The midrange can sound too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. And they still have a tendency to increase bass too much in certain tracks, which makes the sound seem too loud and heavy. This can be corrected in the Sony app or in the headphone settings.

The XM3s make a great pair headphones, especially for those who commute or are frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, stylish and premium and durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a much superior battery and one of the best noise cancelling features in the business. They're also more versatile and better-equipped to use on the go than Audio-Technica's M50X wireless, but their noise cancel headphones cancelling is less impressive. They're not waterproof which can be a major issue for some people.