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Why Headphones Is Your Next Big Obsession
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears, allowing you to be immersed in sound. They are usually tuned for audiophiles, and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair with ANC and a mobile app for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-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 have a fresh new design, enhanced ANC, and many of the same features that their predecessors had but with better materials and slightly more premium sound quality.

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250g. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband has a friction-rod design, similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold.

With a sound quality that is able to please those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but not excessively loud or harsh. They feature a wide and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that lets you hear subtleties in your music. The earcups also have touch controls that are easy to use. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song, backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones can connect 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 ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This lets you hear the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other helpful features include the ability to pair 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 an USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is superb. In our test, we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC turned on which is more than Sony's advertised battery duration of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 is a great microphone for making calls. There's no muffled or static sound in the background. The noise cancellation is top-quality and they're a perfect option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering high-end performance and features. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits, optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled inside each earcup, provide a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide superior 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.

Like the original PX7 These headphones have a sleekly refined look with accent rings on each earcup and an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned with memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium but never feel tight. The new shape and form was developed over the course of several months and offers an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't press hard on my own skull, which is a rotund one.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as slightly smaller. The headphones are light enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and stay in place comfortably during long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them up for easy transportation in a protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for high-resolution audio and tight video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to show rapid charging, and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App offers the same controls that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer including bass and treble adjustment actions button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes as well as other features. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app displays album cover and track titles. However, popular extras like music presets or a soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones made by Sennheiser, and it is meant to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction has been optimized to achieve the highest resolution in detail that covers all of the frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic audio you'll hear on headphones with open backs.

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 because it will increase the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

These headphones are made to be used by professionals and have a sturdy metal frame that is adorned with plastics and leather padding. The design is minimalist and they're not fancy however the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carry pouch as well as an additional 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 in a natural way, even however they are less bass-y. The open-back design results in a wide out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding with only minor dips and peaks. The treble area is extremely linear, which means you won't have issues with hitting sibilants or the upper bite of a snare drum.

They can still deliver impact, dynamism and impact when required, despite the absence of a booming low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who like listening to rock music that has powerful basslines, but they might not be as enjoyable as some of the other models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

The Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful midrange. They are linear with a slight scoop on the upper mids, which won't be noticed by the majority of listeners. Headphones Shop can also reproduce fine time gradations, which is a nice benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent option. They're expensive however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for years to come and perform at their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that can be a great choice for anyone who wants to relax or just wants an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you toss them in a bag and their battery is capable of lasting multiple long haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles from an airplane, although their audio profile is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to navigate and well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons to pair and power up the headphones as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup there are media playback controls that include a multi-function switch that lets you activate the voice assistant on your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in mic can be used to make hands-free phone calls.


Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver an immersive and rich listening experience thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that offer certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones can provide outstanding clarity and detail, as their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wide range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

One important thing to be aware of about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means you won't in a position to benefit from the superior codec's lower latency while playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are capable of rotating and adjust to the unique shape of your head so 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/jvc-ae-sports-bluetooth-in-ear-wireless-headphones