Notes

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

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears, allowing you to be immersed in the sound. They are generally tuned for audiophiles, and have features like active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that comes with ANC and a mobile application to tweak the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation line-up. They feature a new design, improved ANC, and many of the same features as their predecessors but with higher-end materials and a slightly more premium sound quality.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones, weighing 250 grams. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or reading a book. www.headphonesshop.uk is supple, and has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.

With an audio quality that is able to please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but it isn't excessively loud or harsh. The earphones have a large and wide soundstage, as well as excellent instrument separation. This lets you be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe forward to go to the next track, then back to listen to the previous one as well as up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback when you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can activate ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones.


They can also be paired 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 of top quality fabric, as well as an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is exceptional. In our standard test, we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC turned on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery duration of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic mic for voice calls. There's no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise-canceling is also excellent, and these headphones are perfect for public transportation and the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, offering premium performance and features. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits enhanced active noise cancellation, and clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, that are custom-designed and angled to fit in each earcup, offer more immersive and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer excellent call clarity even in noisy surroundings. And an inline remote and microphone let you control your calls and music using 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 a long time to perfect, delivering an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't press too hard on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 ounces (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and are slightly thinner. They're light enough to carry in your backpack or bag without any discomfort, and they'll stay comfortably in place for long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them up to make it easy to transport them in the protective case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio as well as a fast video sync. You can also play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful feature that flashes green to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.

The B&W app provides the same features as the onboard buttons in the hardware such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. The app also shows an album cover and track title when you play music using your iPhone. However, the most popular features like music presets or a soundscapes feature are missing.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones and was made to meet the highest expectations. The design and construction of the headphones is optimized to give an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic spatial audio you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, which means it requires a top-quality headphone amplifier to drive it at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, as this will double the power output and increase the overall sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is simple and they're not fancy however the quality of the headphones and their build are excellent. 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 however they are lighter on bass. The open-back design results in an expansive, out-of-head soundstage. The treble quality is excellent with minor peaks and drops. The treble region is extremely linear, which means you shouldn't have any issues hitting sibilants or the upper sound of a drum snare.

Despite the lack of a booming bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when needed. They'll still be enjoyable for those who like listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they may not be as enjoyable as some of the competing models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

The Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic midrange. They are a linear pair with a slight incline in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations which is a benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of premium headphones that are ideal for professionals and audiophiles. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent option. They're costly however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for years to be able to perform to their best in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will do the trick for anyone looking to relax or simply wants a low-cost set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch which will provide protection when you put them in a bag and their battery can last many long-haul flights. The ANC works well to block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles. However, their audio quality is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to navigate and well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll find 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 find controls for playing back media. This includes a multi-function button that activates the phone's voice assistant and switches on Anker BassUp (more about this later). The built-in microphone can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.

Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone offers a deep and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40mm dynamic driver, which is certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones offer exceptional clarity and detail, as their active noise cancellation technology is designed to filter out a wide range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a pity. This means you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency when you're playing games on your PC.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are capable of rotating and adjust to the specific shape of your head, so you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.

Website: https://www.headphonesshop.uk/