Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music and podcasts without the need to connect wires to your audio device. They're ideal for public transport, while at work or at home.
Wireless over-ear headphones may have an elegant design and superior noise cancellation. They are typically packaged in a sleek case.
Soundcore Life Q30
These earphones are an important upgrade from the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They look better and are more durable and have a more polished look. The hinges are tighter and the soft ear cups are a bit larger. They're still made of plastic, but they are more polished. You can replace the 3.5mm cord for a higher quality USB-C cable and use them with mobile Hi-Res as well as stationary players. They also have dual mics built in that worked well in our tests using FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app comes with a wide variety of EQ presets, which can be altered and saved to listen to podcasts and music in the style you prefer. This is what makes these headphones stand out from other ANC headphones, and the Soundcore app is extremely simple to use.
When ANC is on, the Q30's 40mm drivers effectively block out most of the background noise, making for an extremely pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound signature is natural, but a little on the treble. Some might find the bass response lacking (we had better results with the Bass Booster Equalizer). But, you can fix this by using the Soundcore app, since there's an eight-band equalizer that can help you tweak.
These headphones have the power button and a pairing button on the left ear cup and a USB-C port for charging. The right earcup features buttons for play/pause, volume control and volume up/down. Double-clicking these buttons lets you skip tracks or repeat the previous one. You can also make use of voice commands to ask them to change modes or set alarms. The right earcup can be covered by your hand to activate ambient mode, so that you can hear what is going on around you without taking off the headphones.
The battery life on these headphones is excellent and the battery life is also excellent. In our tests with ANC turned on, the Q30 was able to last for nearly an hour longer than the other headphones. This leaves plenty of time to prepare for an extended flight or a day at the office. The USB-C cable included lets you quickly recharge the batteries. You'll also receive an alert when your battery is about to run out.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of high-quality headphones for over-ear use that feature active noise cancellation as well as Bluetooth playback. They're designed as a pair of premium high-end headphones that are ideal for listening to music and
wireless headphones with bluetooth podcasts on the go, but are a great choice for home use by audiophiles as well. The headphones are a bit more expensive than similar headphones, but their exceptional sound quality is the reason they stand out.
The Focal Bathys are packaged in a compact elegant white box with a textured finish. It comes with everything you will need. There's a fold-flat headphone carry case, USB-C to USB cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.
They're powered by a good 600mAh battery that can take you through a full day of casual listening and include an audio input for wired use. Wirelessly, they are paired via Bluetooth. You can control their functions via an app (now called Focal & Naim in keeping with English sister brand Naim’s products that are network-aware) or the button located on the left earcup that scrolls through ANC profiles like silent, soft transparent,' and 'full.
The app allows you to alter different settings, like the brightness of the LEDs as well as the EQ presets (including music's profile, which sounds brighter and neutraler than other profiles) and the battery life. You can also choose the ANC level and mode and set an 'acoustic environments setting to alter the sensitivity to mimic the sound of headphones in a different room.
The Focal Bathys feature a bass-rich profile that adds additional warmth and punch to your favourite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments can sound muted, while details such as cymbals may be less prominent than other headphones. The headphones are also less effective in active noise cancellation compared to other over-ears that have more advanced technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony headphones are known for their high-end quality and the WH1000XM5 is no exception. It is the best of the'mainstream' over ear headphone market and borders the 'luxury' lifestyle area where brands like Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and
wireless Headphones with Bluetooth Montblanc are located. This means that the XM5s are expensive in price tag but, if you can afford it, there are few better over the ear wireless headphones available.
The XM5s have a lot of features that simplify the lives of the listener and automate some tasks that they'd otherwise need to perform manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music that has been compressed to near high-res) as well as Bluetooth's LDAC Technology, are included. This allows for streaming of high-quality audio at bitrates that are higher than standard
buy bluetooth headphones online. The built-in microphone is capable of making hands-free phone calls.
The XM5 headphones aren't any different from the previous generation WH headphones in regards to noise cancellation. They're among the most efficient headphones for removing the continuous drones that can be heard in train and underground carriages. The XM5s are also great at isolating the listener from the noises of airports and busy streets.
Sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s do not have as much detail in the low-frequency range as the XM4, however they do possess more clarity and openness. The bass on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head shows the Sonys' power and definition, without affecting the music. The XM5s are also able to deliver precise and tight bass notes on Massive Attack's Angel.
The battery life is fantastic, with up to 30 hours of listening time when ANC is in use and 40 hours if off. This is more than enough to cover the weekend or a few days' heavy use.
The only issue is that the XM5s don't have any dust or water resistance protection. In fact, Sony recommends that you avoid sweating on them or take them out in the rain. This may not be a problem for some people, but it could cause a problem for anyone who spends much of their time in the gym or lives in a rainy city.
Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max is a pair of
wireless headphones with bluetooth headphones over-ear that feature Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple created dynamic drivers that measure 40mm with a neutral audio profile that emphasizes mids and highs without going too loud. They are perfect for music and movies. They also offer superior fidelity compared to most rival headphones.
The headphones are light in build that feels comfortable on the head. The earcups, which are made of memory foam covered with woven fabric, sit comfortably over the ears and do not place pressure on the sides or the forehead. The ear cups can also be flipped and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges provide a firm, but not too much clamping force that makes sure the earcups remain in position during listening sessions.
Toggle noise cancelling mode by pressing a small button on the top of the right earcup. There's also a pushable, jog-dial-like button, similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can turn to adjust the volume and press it once, twice or thrice for playback controls. Siri is activated by pressing and holding the button.