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10 Headphones Related Projects That Can Stretch Your Creativity
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears, allowing you to be immersed in the sound. They are typically tuned for audiophiles and come with features like active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile app to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation lineup. They have a fresh new design, enhanced ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors but with higher-end materials and a slightly higher quality sound.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250g. They are very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're listening to or reading a book. The headband is supple, and has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature that has been created to please people who listen to music for pleasure as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, however it's not harsh or imposing. The earphones feature a wide and spacious soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This lets you hear the details in your music. The earcups come with control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song or backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously, and will automatically stop playback whenever you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can enable the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right-ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

Other features that are useful include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of high-end fabric and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is excellent. In our test, we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC activated which is much better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.


The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on calls is exceptional and there's no distorted or static-y sounding background. The noise-canceling performance is also top-quality, and they're a good fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and improved performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming and optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, that are custom-designed and angled inside each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music on any compatible device.

Similar to the PX7's original design, these headphones are elegant and refined, with accent rings around each earcup, and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably, but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned form and shape took many months to perfect, and provides an easy clamping force that doesn't press too hard on my own cranium that is rotund.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to carry in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place for long listens. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in an enclosed case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is ideal for both high-resolution audio and fast video sync. You can play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice touch. It flashes green to signal rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app provides the same features as the buttons on the hardware - bass and treble adjustment and assigning action buttons wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. The app also displays an album cover and track's title when you play music from your iPhone. However, the most popular features like music presets or a soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones by Sennheiser and is meant to meet the most demanding requirements. The technical design was designed to give a breath-taking detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier that can drive it at the right levels, without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, since this can double the output power and improve the overall sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame, and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is rather minimalist and doesn't appear like the most expensive pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the palm and are well-built. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable, and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, though they are a bit light on bass. This is due to the open-back design provides a wide and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb, with only minor dips and peaks. The Treble region also has a linearity which means you won't be able to deal with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

They can still deliver impact and dynamism when needed despite the lack of a booming low-end. They'll still be a great choice for those who enjoy listening to music with punchy 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 midrange. They're very straight and have a slight scoop in the upper mids, which will not be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fitting make them a great option. The headphones are expensive but they will last you for many years and perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will provide the perfect solution for anyone looking to pass the time or just wants an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag that will give them some protection when you throw them in a bag and their battery can last many long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles, however their audio quality is a bit heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to use and are well-marked. On headphones sale , you'll find buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see media playback controls. This includes a multi-function control that activates the phone's voice assistant and switches on Anker BassUp (more about it later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make hands-free calls with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver an immersive and deep listening experience, due to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones feature a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancellation is designed to block out a variety of mid- and low-frequency sound.

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

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam ear cups are soft enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adapt to your unique head shape. You can also listen to your music via a 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included for charging the battery.

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