Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you into music. They are generally made for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. The headphones running have a new design and enhanced ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and superior materials.

At only 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're extremely comfortable to wear, even when you're listening to or reading a book. The headband is soft, and it features an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

With a sound quality that will please those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass, but not overpowering or harsh. They have a large and open soundstage with excellent instrument separation that lets you hear specifics in your music. The earcups also have control buttons that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to play the next track, reverse to hear the previous track as well as up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback whenever you take them off your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can also switch on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup and allowing you to listen to what's happening 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 top quality fabric, as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers operating Windows and macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was higher than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, delivering high-end performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins S2 comes with premium performance and features, including 24-bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or iphone headphone tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully placed inside each earcup for an enhanced, more deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones guarantee excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you control your music and calls on any compatible device.

Like the original PX7, these headphones are sleek and elegant with accent rings around each earcup, and an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium but they never feel tight. The new form and shape was refined over a period of time, and delivers a comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't force into my skull, which is a rotund one.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to carry in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and will remain comfortable in your hand during long listens. The headband can be folded up using a sturdy hinge at the back.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for high-resolution audio and tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice feature. It flashes green to signal rapid charging and solid blue to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App has the same controls that the buttons on the hardware provide - bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignments wear detection, cycling through ANC modes as well as other features. The app also displays an album cover and track's title when you play music using your iphone headphone (https://gottlieb-maurer.Technetbloggers.de). However, popular extras like music presets and soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones from Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet most demanding requirements. The technical design was designed to give an incredible detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic sound you'll ever experience on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms, therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier to drive it at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which will double the output and improve the sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't resemble the most expensive pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the hand and are well-built. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments with naturality, though they are a little lighter on bass. The open-back design produces a spacious, out-of-head soundstage. Their treble performance is excellent with only minor peaks and dips. The region of the treble has a linear quality and you won't have any issues with piercingsibilants or even the upper bite of a drum snare.

They still have the ability to deliver and dynamism when required, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who like listening to rock music that has powerful basslines, but they may not sound as enjoyable as some of the other models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are extremely linear, with a slight scoop in the upper mids that will not be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations which is a benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. They're a top choice due to their exceptional sound quality and a comfortable fit. They are expensive however you're buying headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform at their best in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that will do the trick for anyone looking to kill some time or just wants an affordable pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag which will provide protection when you put them into a bag, and their battery is capable of lasting many long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, however their audio quality is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to use and clearly marked. On the left earcup, you'll see buttons to pair and power up the headphones as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playing back media. This includes a multi-function key that activates the phone's voice assistant and turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone provides a full immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and detail, as their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a wider range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a pity. This means you will not be able to take advantage of the higher codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without creating discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to the shape of your head. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.