Notes

5 Motives Headphones Is Actually A Positive Thing
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They are typically made for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless pair that comes with ANC as well as a mobile app to alter the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the most recent upgrade in their noise cancelling lineup. The headphones are updated with a new design and enhanced ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with superior sound quality and higher-end materials.

At just 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband is supple, and it features a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

With an audio quality that will please casual music listeners and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but it isn't excessively loud or harsh. The earphones boast a huge and spacious soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This allows you to listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups are also equipped with control buttons that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to play the next track, back to hear the previous one, and up and down to control the volume. The headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously and will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can enable the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right-ear cup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without removing the headphones.

Other useful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made of high-end fabric as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our most basic test we were able achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for calls is exceptional, and there's no muffled or static-y sound in the background. The noise cancellation is top-notch and they're a great 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, offering premium performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming enhanced active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are precisely positioned inside each earcup to provide a more focused, deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone let you control your music and calls on any device compatible with it.

Like the PX7's original design, these headphones are sleek and elegant, with accent rings around each earcup and a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium, but don't feel tight. The new design and shape took a long time to perfect, providing an easy clamping force that isn't too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough for carrying in your bag or backpack without any discomfort, and they'll stay comfortable in your hand during long listens. A strong hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them for easy transportation in an enclosed case.


The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well for a tight 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 with a green flash to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.

The B&W app provides similar controls to the onboard buttons in the hardware including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and more. When headphone shops listen to music on your iPhone the app displays album cover and track titles. However, popular extras like 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 an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic sound you'll ever experience in a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is required to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which will double the output and improve the quality of sound.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is simple and doesn't look like an expensive pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the palm and are well-built. They come with a carry pouch and an extra 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 lighter on bass. This is due to the open-back design provides a wide and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble is excellent with minor peaks and drops. The treble region also has a linearity, so you will not have issues with piercingsibilants or even the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still deliver impact and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a loud low-end. They'll still be enjoyable for those who love listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they may not be like some of the models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

These Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful midrange. They are straight and have a slight scoop on the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by most listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce fine time gradations in vocals which is a huge benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fitting make them a great choice. They are expensive, but they'll last for a long time and will perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that will be a great choice for anyone looking to kill some time or simply wants a low-cost pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a simple bag that will protect the headphones when you place them into bags. The battery will last for several long-haul flights. The ANC works well to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, but their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll find 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 media playback controls, including a multi-function button which lets you turn on the voice assistant on your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in mic can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

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

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

In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are soft enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing any discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of rotating so that they can adjust to the particular shape of your head so that you can get a snug fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.

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