Notes

How To Know The Headphones That's Right For You
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you into sound. They are typically made for audiophiles, and feature features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancelling lineup. They sport a new design, enhanced ANC, and many of the same features as their predecessors, but with higher-end materials and a slightly higher-quality sound.

At only 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband is soft, and it has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

With an audio 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 is not too loud or harsh. The earphones have a large and wide soundstage, as well as good instrument separation. This allows you to listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe forward to play the next track, then back to listen to the previous one and then up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously, and will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can also activate ambient mode by resting your palm on the right ear cup, which allows you to listen to what's happening around you, without taking off the headphones.

Other useful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of top quality fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers running Windows and macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our test of the standard battery we had 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30 hours battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on voice calls is excellent and there's not any muffled or static-y sounding background. Noise-canceling is also excellent, and these headphones are perfect for public transportation and the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and improved performance. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features like 24-bit wireless streaming with active noise cancellation that is optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are precisely positioned inside each earcup for an even more focused and immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones ensure excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone allows you to control calls and music on any device compatible with it.

The headphones sport a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups as well as a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tightly on the cranium. The new shape and form was perfected over many months and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't press hard on my own rotund skull.


At 10.8 ounces (or 307g) They weigh 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as just a little smaller. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a bag or backpack and stay in place comfortably throughout long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them up to make it easy to transport them in an enclosed case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for high-resolution audio and tight video sync. You can also play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful feature, flashing green to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W app offers the same features as the buttons on the hardware including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and more. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app will display album covers and track titles. However, the most popular features like music presets or soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones, and is made to meet the highest expectations. Its engineering was designed to provide an incredible detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever hear in a pair of open-back headphones.

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

The headphones are designed for professional use and have a sturdy steel frame, with a mixture of plastics and leather padding. The design is simple and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carry pouch and an extra audio cable as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with naturality, however they are less bass-y. The open-back design produces a wide, out-of-head soundstage. Their treble performance is excellent, with only minor peaks and dips. merchandise headphones has a linear quality and you won't be able to deal with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of the drum snare.

They still have the ability to deliver and dynamism when needed despite the lack of a powerful low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who love listening to rock music with powerful basslines, but they might not be like some of the competing models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

These Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic mid-range. They are straight and have an incline on the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They can also reproduce precise time gradations, which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top pick because of their outstanding sound quality and comfortable fit. They're costly however you're buying headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform well in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that can provide the perfect solution for anyone who needs to kill some time or simply needs a cheap pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch which will provide protection when you put them into your bag, and their battery can last multiple long haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles when on a plane, though their audio profile is a little warm and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left ear cup, you'll find buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones and to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, there are controls for playing back media. This includes a multi-function button that activates your phone's voice assistance and turns on Anker BassUp (more about it later). The built-in mic can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide a rich and immersive listening experience thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones have the treble range to go up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling is specifically designed to block out a broad range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of rotating and adjust to the unique shape of your head so you can have a comfortable fit. You can also listen to music with a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included to charge the battery.

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