Notes

The Most Successful Headphones Gurus Can Do Three Things
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you in audio. They are typically tuned for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless speaker 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 WH1000XM5 earphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation line-up. They have a fresh new design, upgraded ANC and a host 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, weighing 250 grams. They're extremely comfortable to wear, no matter if you're listening to or reading a book. The headband is supple, and it features the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.


The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature that has been created to please casual music lovers as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight emphasis in bass, yet it's not abrasive or blazing. The earphones have a large and spacious soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This lets you listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups also have control buttons that are easy to use. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song and reverse to hear the previous track. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at the same time and thanks to a built-in sensor, they will automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can also activate ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup that lets you hear what's going on around you without removing the headphones.

Other helpful features include the possibility of pairing 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 premium fabric, and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is awe-inspiring. In our battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30 hours battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for voice calls is excellent and there's not any muffled or static-y audio in the background. Noise-canceling is also excellent and these headphones are ideal for public transportation and the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and improved performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming enhanced active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, that are custom-designed and angled in each earcup, offer more deep and focused listening experience. www.headphonesshop.uk placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote lets you control calls and music on any compatible device.

The headphones have a sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tight on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form required a lot of time to perfect, and provides a comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough for carrying in your bag or backpack without any discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place during long listens. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them up to make it easy to transport them in the protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for both high-resolution audio and fast video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice feature. It flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app has the same features as the hardware onboard buttons such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. The app also displays an album cover and track's title when you play music using your iPhone. However, some popular features such as music presets or soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones by Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet most demanding requirements. The design and construction of the headphones is optimized to give a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic sound you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm 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 power output and increase the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed for professional use and have a sturdy metal frame that is adorned with leather and plastic. The design is minimalist and they're not fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carry case, an extra audio cable and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments with a natural sound, even although they are a bit lighter on bass. This is due to the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble is excellent with minor peaks and drops. The treble region is also extremely smooth, meaning you'll not have issues piercing sibilants and the upper sound of a drum snare.

Despite not having a high-pitched bass, they still provide dynamism and impact when needed. They'll still be a great choice for those who enjoy listening to music with powerful basslines, but they may not sound as fun as some of the models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are a linear pair with a slight incline in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals, which is a big benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice because of their outstanding sound quality and a comfortable fit. They're costly however you're buying a pair of headphones that will last for years to be used and perform to their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone looking to kill time or just want an affordable pair of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that provides protection when you throw them into a bag, and their battery is capable of lasting several long haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles when on a plane, though their audio profile is a bit 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 for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup, you'll find controls for playing back media that include a multi-function switch that allows you to activate the voice assistant of your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

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

One thing to keep in mind about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support aptX, which is disappointing. This means that you won't not be able take advantage of the higher codes' lower latency when gaming on your computer.

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

Homepage: https://www.headphonesshop.uk/brands/jlab