Notes

Why All The Fuss About Headphones?
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears to immerse you in sound. They are generally made for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless device that comes with ANC, 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 WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. The headphones feature a brand new design and improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with a higher-end sound quality and better materials.

At only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband has a friction-rod design, similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature that has been designed to satisfy both casual music lovers as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, yet it is not harsh or overpowering. They feature a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation, which lets you hear specifics in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe forward to go to the next track, then back to hear the previous track and then up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices at once and will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can enable ambient mode by placing your hand on the right-ear cup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other useful 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 a USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is excellent. In our standard battery test we had 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30 hours battery life.

The WH1000XM5 has a great mic for voice calls. There is no static or muffled audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent and these headphones are great for public transportation and the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2


The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and performance. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits and optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled to fit in each earcup, give you a more immersive and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy surroundings. And an inline remote and microphone let you control your music and calls using any compatible device.

The headphones have a elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They have accent rings that wrap around the earcups as well as a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium but they never feel tight. The redesigned form and shape required a lot of time to perfect, and provides a comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to fit in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place for long listens. The headband can be folded up by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for both high-resolution audio and precise video sync. You can also play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is an excellent feature that flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W App offers the same features that the buttons on the hardware provide such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action 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 covers and track titles. Popular extras such as music presets and a soundscapes mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to provide the highest resolution in detail that covers all frequencies as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic spatial audio you'll experience on open-back headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier is needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which will double the output and improve the quality of sound.

These headphones are made for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is simple and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their build are top-quality. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals in a natural way, even though they are a little less bass-y. The open-back design creates an expansive, out-of-head soundstage. The treble quality is excellent with minor drops and peaks. The Treble region also has a linear quality which means you won't have issues with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still provide impact, dynamism and impact when needed despite the lack of a powerful low-end. They'll still be a great choice for those who love listening to music with punchy basslines, but they might not be as enjoyable 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, with a slight scoop in the upper mids which should not be noticeable to the majority of listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations which is a nice benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them a top choice. The headphones are expensive but they will last you for years and perform well in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of headphones for those who wants to relax or simply need an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic case which protects the headphones when you place them into the bag. The battery will last multiple long-haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles from an airplane, although their audio profile is warm and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll see buttons to pair and power up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find media playback controls, including a multi-function button which lets you turn on your phone's voice assistant and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in microphone can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

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

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means that you will not be able take advantage of the higher codes' lower latency while gaming on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing discomfort. The earcups are capable of rotating and adjust to the specific shape of your head so that you can get a snug fit. You can also enjoy your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included for charging the battery.

Website: https://www.headphonesshop.uk/products/wireless-earbuds-bluetooth-5-3-hifi-stereo-waterproof