Notes

It's Time To Expand Your Headphones Options
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones cover your ears and plunge you in the audio. They are usually tuned for audiophiles, and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless device that includes ANC and a mobile application to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening through USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. They feature a new design, enhanced ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors, but with higher-end materials and a slightly higher quality sound.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones, weighing 250g. They're extremely comfortable to wear, even when you're listening to or reading an audiobook. The headband has a friction-rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.

headset shop -1000XM5 features a distinctive sonic signature that is designed to please casual music lovers as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, but it's not harsh or blazing. They feature a wide and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that lets you hear subtleties in your music. The earcups feature touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song, backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones can be connected 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 activate ambient mode by resting your palm on the right ear cup, which allows you to hear what's going on around you, without taking off the headphones.

They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of premium fabric, and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is exceptional. In our standard test, we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 is a great microphone for making calls. There is no muffled or static audio in the background. The noise cancellation is excellent, and they're a good option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade from its predecessor, delivering top-quality performance and features. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits, optimized active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup to provide an even more focused and deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone let you control your calls and music on any compatible device.

The headphones have a elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, as well as a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form took many months to perfect, delivering an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are a touch smaller. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a bag or backpack and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband can be folded by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

Get the facts powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support which is great for high-resolution audio as well as precise video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful touch that flashes green to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W App offers the same controls that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignments, wear detection, cycling through ANC modes as well as other features. The app also displays an album cover and track title when you play music on your iPhone. However, some popular features such as music presets or a soundscapes feature are missing.

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 is optimized to give a detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic audio you'll experience on open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms, therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier to drive it to the levels you want without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, because it will increase the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed for professional use and feature a sturdy metal frame, with a mixture of plastics and leather padding. The design is simple and doesn't look extravagant, but the quality of the headphones and their build are excellent. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are a bit light on bass. The open-back design produces a wide, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor peaks and drops. The Treble region also has a linearity, so you will not be able to deal with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

Despite the lack of a loud bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when needed. They are still a great choice for those who enjoy rock music with a punchy bass however, they may not sound as good as other models on this list.


In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are a linear pair with a slight incline in the upper mids, which won't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals which is a major plus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are ideal for professionals and audiophiles. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. They are expensive, but you're paying for a pair of headphones that will last for years to be able to perform to their best in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or just want a pair of affordable headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a basic case that protects the headphones when you place them into bags. The battery will last for several long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out loud passengers and engine rumbles. However, their audio quality is a bit heavy and warm.

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 or off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function button that activates your phone's voice assistance and switches on Anker BassUp (more about this later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make hands-free calls with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones delivers a rich immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is specifically designed to block out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

One important thing to be aware of about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while playing games on your PC.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to be worn for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adapt to your unique head shape. You can also enjoy your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB cable is included for charging the battery.

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