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5 People You Should Meet In The Over Ear Headphones Wireless Best Industry
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for bigger drivers to provide more bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with superior audio and numerous ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, feature a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy) and include an app that allows some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than ever before, removing any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than a lot of competitors.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio however, you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond quicker to the touch of a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony has added a feature to make voices clearer and more precise during calls. This is a noticeable and nice touch.

While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they are some of the top wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, well-made, and have a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used using the TRS cable which is great when you're on the road or need to conserve power.

The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sounds. They also have a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are more robust and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to scale compressed music up to high resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most current version of a headset which is a popular choice among commuters and passengers across the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful but it also includes the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband, constructed of plastic, provides an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you retract or extend your ear cups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that fit over your ears without putting pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them with a sweater or coat as the noise-canceling works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price point. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack details that more expensive headphones might be capable of bringing out. The higher registers tend to be boosted which is great for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good but it lacks the punch.

The ability to pause the playback after removing the headset is a feature that is missing. This is a standard feature in this price bracket and is something that Bose's rivals have long offered. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust the volume and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s have four microphones that are built-in to hear your voice while on the phone. The quality of calls is generally excellent, but the headsets do not have the capability to muffle your voice while playing back which is something other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out in February 2022 introduced 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 comfort and style, which let listeners know that they're hearing something unique. Their first attempt at wireless noise cancelling headphones, the Bathys are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound fantastic. They also have a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We had more than 40 hours of playback time on average from just one charge. If you need to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

For a pair of headphones at this price, they have a lot of features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You will need to select your source device each time you listen.) The headphones come with built-in microphones that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones feature an easy to use interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still very effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds a lot of boom to the mix, however, they can make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.

Wear them wherever you want and not worry about whether others listen to your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording using Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this class. The new pair is a step up from the previous model, sporting a an elegant design, enhanced gesture control, and a huge battery life.

The improvements are subtle, but make for a pair of over ear headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lie flat and aren't foldable, but they do come with a nice hardshell case that protects them while on the go. They also follow the trend of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. over ear headphones wireless work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that are available on the AirPods.


The most obvious difference in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation turned on. This is easily double 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, gave the headphones a score of 82. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as strengths. He only has one complaint they lack of gravitas in the mids and treble. This makes orchestral pieces sound dull instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded but it can sound too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have high-pitched bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit hot, but not a lot. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be a bit fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This could cause them to suddenly wake up, which can be distracting during calls or music. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually by pressing the power button.

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