Notes

Is Headphones As Crucial As Everyone Says?
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears to immerse you in sound. They tend to be made for audiophiles, and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless device that comes with ANC, a mobile app to tweak 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 cancellation line-up. They sport a new design, upgraded ANC, and many of the same features as their predecessors, but with better materials and slightly more premium sound quality.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250 grams. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband is soft and it features a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting 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 have a slight emphasis on bass, but not too loud or harsh. They feature a wide and open soundstage with good instrument separation that allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups also have touch controls that are easy and responsive to use. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song, reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback whenever you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can enable the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup. This allows you to listen to the sounds 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). The headphones come with a carrying case made of high-end fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones and computers running Windows and macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our test of the standard battery, we got 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on voice calls is excellent, and there's no muffled or static-y sound in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also top-notch and they're a great fit for public transport or 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 comes with premium performance and features, including 24bit wireless streaming and active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully angled inside each earcup to provide a more focused, deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide superior call clarity even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone let you control your calls and music on any compatible device.

These headphones have a similar sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They have accent rings around the earcups and a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned with memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium, yet they never feel tight. The new design and shape took many months to perfect, providing an easy clamping force that doesn't press too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They weigh 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and a touch smaller. hop over to these guys are lightweight enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them for easy transportation in an enclosed case.

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

The B&W app has similar controls to the onboard buttons in the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music on your iPhone. However, the most popular features like music presets or soundscapes feature are not available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction was designed to give stunning detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic sound you can get from open-back headphones.

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

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

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, though they are somewhat light on bass. The open-back design produces an expansive out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region also has a linear quality, so you will not have issues with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of the drum snare.

They still have the ability to deliver and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who love listening to rock music that has punchy basslines, but they may not be as fun 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 and have a slight slop in the upper mids which will not be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals, which is a big benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top pick because of their excellent audio quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are expensive but they'll last for many years and perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that can do the trick for anyone who needs to kill some time or simply needs a cheap pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that provides protection when you throw them into a bag, and their battery can last several long haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles from a plane, though their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to use and clearly marked. On the left earcup, there are buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup you'll find controls for playing back media that include a multi-function switch that lets you activate the voice assistant on your phone and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls hands-free with your phone.


Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone offers a deep and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling is designed to block out a broad range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means that you will not be able to take advantage of the superior codes' lower latency while 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 are also capable of turning and adjust to the specific shape of your head so that you can get a snug fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.

Read More: https://www.headphonesshop.uk/products/jbl-reflect-flow-pro-wireless-sport-headphones