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Why You're Failing At Over Ear Headphones Wireless Best
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow larger drivers to produce greater bass and larger soundstages. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved on an already excellent pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are less heavy, more durable, and have a more balanced audio profile (though they are bass heavy). They also have an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than a lot of competitors.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. These headphones can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming services. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. best budget over ear wireless headphones respond quicker to tapping on the panel and are much easier to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise on calls, which is noticeable and a nice touch.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the best wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, feel good to the touch, and have an excellent battery that lasts for longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used in a passive manner using a TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws have a more flexible EQ and an app that allows you to tweak the audio quality. However, the B&Ws come with more robust design and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. Additionally, they support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most current version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula that was the basis of its predecessor's success but it also includes the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband, which is made of plastic, offers a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups feature soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be paired with a coat or sweater since they can be worn even when not on the head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for most music genres but can be problematic for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent but lacks punch.

One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a feature Bose's rivals have provided for many years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app, but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's voice and sound settings.

The QC45s have four microphones built-in to pick up your voice while on the phone. The headphones have good call quality, however they don't allow you to mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out in February 2022 included manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their style and comfort which tell listeners that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery performance with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback on average from just one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they offer lots of features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select your device source manually every time you listen.) They come with a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to navigate interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity The Bathys are very good in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels per hour on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys were a good overall performer with a frequency response that mostly corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound profile which can make vocals, instruments and cymbals look a bit obscure.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about others hearing your music. Their mic has passable recording quality through Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to high treble frequency range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the class. The new model improves on the previous model with modern design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.

The improvements are subtle, but add up to a pair of over ear headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lay flat and don't fold however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to protect them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They work with both Apple iPhones and Android phones, but do not have the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious improvement in this model is the huge battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback when the noise cancellation feature activated. This is more than twice the amount of the competition and enough to go on a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet.


Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as the treble. This means that orchestral music tends to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it can be overemphasised and can cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full, and there's no real sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s should not cause pressure on your neck or ear. They can be fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make a lot of head movements. This could cause them to suddenly wake up which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually by pressing the power button.

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