Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts or music anywhere without having to run an audio cable from your device. These headphones are ideal for use in public transport, at the office or at home.
Wireless over-ear cans are offered in a variety and noise cancelling features. They are usually packed in a stylish case.
Soundcore Life Q30
A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears are more attractive, feel more durable and are generally more polished. They're still mostly plastic, but the hinges are a bit more secure and the soft leather ear cups are a bit bigger. You can switch the 3.5mm cord with a high quality USB-C cable to make use of them with mobile Hi-Res as well as stationary players. They also feature two microphones built-in, which work well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app comes with a broad variety of EQ presets that can be saved and tweaked to play podcasts and music in the style that you prefer. This is the thing that sets these headphones apart from most other ANC headphones, and the Soundcore app is extremely simple to use.
The Q30's 40mm speaker effectively block the majority of ambient noise when ANC is turned on. This creates an extremely enjoyable listening experience. They have a natural sound signature that leans slightly to the treble side, which some might be unable to reproduce bass (we got better results with the Bass Booster EQ preset). However, you can rectify this using the Soundcore app,
bluetooth head phones since there is an 8-band equalizer that can help you tweak.
The left earcup has an power button, a pairing button, and a USB-C charging port. The right earcup has buttons for volume up/down, play/pause and volume up/down. Double-clicking on these controls allows you to skip tracks or play previous ones. You can also make use of voice commands to instruct them to switch modes or set alarms. The right ear cup can be covered by your hand to activate ambient mode to allow you to be aware of what is happening around you without taking off the headphones.
These headphones have a great battery life. The Q30 lasts for an hour longer in our tests when ANC was turned on than its competitors. This allows you to enjoy the long flight, or a long day at work. The USB-C cable included allows you to quickly recharge the batteries. You'll also receive an alert when the battery is getting close to empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of high-quality over-ear Bluetooth headphones that offers both active noise cancellation as well as Bluetooth playback. These headphones are designed to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or on the move. They're a little more expensive than similar headphones, but their exceptional sound quality is their main selling factor.
The Focal Bathys come in a small elegant white box with a textured finish. It comes with all the accessories you'll need. The package also includes a fold-flat carrying case for the headphones as well as a USB-C to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.
The 600mAh battery can last for a full day of listening to music casually. They also come with an audio input that you can use wired. Wirelessly, they're connected via
bluetooth head Phones. You can control their functions with an app (now called Focal & Naim in keeping with English sister brand Naim’s products that are network-aware) or the dedicated button on the left earcup, which scrolls through ANC profiles such as'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 the other profiles) and the battery life. You can also select the ANC level and mode and select an 'acoustic environment that adjusts the sensitivity to simulate the sound of the headphones in a different acoustic room.
The Focal Bathys feature a bass-rich sound profile that adds additional warmth and punch to your favorite tracks. The result is that vocals and instruments can be muted, while other certain elements like cymbals could be less prominent than on other headphones. They're also not as effective at active noise cancelation when compared to other over-ears with higher-end technology like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has a fine reputation for its headphones and the WH-1000XM5
headphones wireless bluetooth price are no exception. It's located at the top end of the'mainstream' over-ear
bt headphone market, edging into the luxury lifestyle sector where brands like Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc hang out. This means the XM5s are expensive in price tag but, should you be able to afford it, there are few better over the ear wireless headphones available.
The XM5s come with a variety of features that make life easier for the listener, and also automate tasks they would otherwise need to perform manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to near-high resolution) is available and also support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. That allows for streaming of high-quality audio at rates that are higher than traditional Bluetooth. It also has a built-in microphone for making hands-free phone calls.
The XM5 headphones aren't any different than the previous generation WH headphones in regards to noise cancellation. These headphones are among the best at cutting down on the constant drones that are heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s are great at their job isolating listeners from the noise of busy airports and streets also.
Sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s don't have as many details in the low-frequency range as the XM4, however they do have a greater sense clarity and a greater sense of openness. For example the bass on Rage Against The Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real force and definition, without reducing the other elements. Similar to Massive Attack's brooding Angel showcases the XM5's' ability to deliver precise and precise bass notes.
The battery life is fantastic and can last up to 30 hours listening time when ANC is active and 40 hours if it's off. This is more than enough for a weekend getaway or a few days of heavy usage.
The XM5s do not come with waterproof or dust-proof. Sony actually advises against sweating in the XM5s or taking them out in the rain. This might not be a big deal for most people, but for those who spend long hours in the gym or live in a rainy location, it could be a major problem.
Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max is a pair of wireless headphones that come with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. They have 40mm dynamic drivers designed by Apple with a neutral audio profile that emphasizes the mids and highs while not going too loud at either end of the spectrum. This makes them perfect for both music and movies. They also have higher fidelity compared to other headphones.
The headphones have a lightweight build that feels comfortable on the head. The earcups are made of memory foam and covered with a woven fabric. They fit comfortably on the ears without placing pressure on the sides of the face. The ear cups can tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges offer a firm, but not too strong clamping force that makes sure the ear cups remain in place throughout listening sessions.
Switch on noise cancellation by pressing a small button at the top of the right earcup. You can also utilize an earphone-style jog dial with a push button similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch. You can turn it around to control volume, and press it once, twice, or three times for playback controls. Pressing and holding the button will activate Siri.
