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The Reasons Headphones Is More Risky Than You Think
Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation lineup. The headphones have a new design and have improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but they have superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

With only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear, even when you're reading or listening to a book. The headband is soft, and it features a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature that has been created to please people who listen to music for pleasure as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, however it's not abrasive or blazing. They have a wide and open soundstage with good instrument separation that allows you to hear the subtleties in your music. The earcups feature control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track, backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can connect to two devices at once and will automatically stop playback whenever you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can also turn on ambient mode by resting your palm on the right earcup and allowing you to be aware of what's happening around you without taking off the headphones.

They can also be linked with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made from high-end fabric as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is awe-inspiring. In our test of the standard battery we recorded 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone for making calls. There is no static or muffled audio in the background. The noise-canceling performance is also excellent, and they're a good fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, delivering top-quality performance and features. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit, optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled to fit in each earcup, offer more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone let you control your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

These headphones have a similar elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They feature accent rings that wrap around the earcups as well as a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tightly on the cranium. The new form and shape was refined over a period of time and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't force hard on my own skull.

At headphone sale (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and a touch thinner. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and are comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. The headband can be folded up by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-quality audio as well as a fast video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is an excellent gesture with a green flash to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.


The B&W app offers the same controls as the buttons on the hardware including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and more. The app also displays an album cover and track's name when you play music using your iPhone. Popular extras such as music presets and soundscapes mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones by Sennheiser and is designed to meet the most demanding requirements. Its engineering was designed to give an incredible detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic sound you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier will be needed to operate it at the right levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, because it will increase the output power and improve the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed to be used by professionals and feature a sturdy metal frame with a mix of plastics and leather padding. The design is simple and they don't look fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carrying 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 vocals and instruments with naturality, though they are a little light on bass. The open-back design results in a wide out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good with minor drops and peaks. The treble region is very linear, so you'll not have issues cutting sibilants, or the upper bite of the snare drum.

Despite the lack of a booming bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when it is needed. These headphones are still great for those who love rock music that has punchy bass however, they may not sound as great as some of the other models on this list.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are straight and have a slight incline in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations, which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them a top option. They are expensive however, you're getting headphones that will last for years to be able to perform to their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that can do the trick for anyone who needs to pass the time or simply wants a low-cost set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you put them into your bag, and their battery can last for multiple long haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles when on a plane, though their audio profile is heavy and warm.

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

Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone delivers a rich immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver, which is certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones offer exceptional clarity and detail, while their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wider range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means that you won't not be able to take advantage of the better codes' lower latency when playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adjust to your unique head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.

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