Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?
Noise-cancelling headphones can be an ideal solution for those who love to listen regardless of whether they're in the office or in the train. Which ones are the best?
Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They feature a brand new design and a superior audio quality as well as enviable features. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's shaking Bridge to the intense chorus.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony is the master of noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones represent the top model in this series. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for commuters or travelers. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously, and have the best ANC Sony's ever produced. They're also lightweight and provide around 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is plenty for a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.
The WH-1000XM5s feature an elegant minimalist design. They are made from recycled and recyclable plastic referred to as acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Branding is minimal, though there is the "Sony" logo on the hinge of each earcup. The headband and earcups are cushioned with a plush soft material that is comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.
In contrast to previous models, which focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify the sound waves at higher frequencies to cancel out ambient noise. This improves overall sound quality and helps to reduce cabin and engine noise on flights. The XM5s come with an additional processor that can enhance noise cancellation more for airplanes and the audio application will also automatically adjust the listening environment to the data from your air pressure.
Other features of the WH1000XM5s include an enhanced voice assistant that is easy to use and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and more. The XM5s can be connected with other Sony audio devices to provide stereo separation and multi-room music. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC however they do not support HD or aptX.
2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect a premium sound quality and a comfortable fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they deliver on both fronts. They've reworked the design to eliminate some of the trademark elements that gave the previous models their aviator headset look and also improved their active noise cancellation using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. The headphones are designed to last for 60 hours when ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of many rivals.
They're also a lot more portable than the previous model because they fold up and are smaller overall. The ear pads and the headband are made of synthetic PU leather, which feels comfortable on my head when I wear it all day. They're also not too tight, which means you can wear them on long flights, or even during workouts.
The sound is balanced and clear, but there are some highs which can cause a bit of muddiness to mixes. The bass is overemphasized with a lot of impact and thump to genres like EDM or hip hop. It's not an issue, but some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid has some uneven balance too that pushes instruments and vocals to the forefront of mixes but at the expense of bringing out sibilants in some songs.
The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features, including Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music for improved awareness, and mobile app support for custom and pre-set EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can use SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they're able to reduce latency by as much as a quarter of a second and that's a huge benefit.
3. B&W PX7 S2
The original PX7s were top of the line on a variety of lists of the most reliable Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their outstanding ANC and sound quality. The PX7s, as with many wireless headphones, were becoming old and needed a new look. Therefore, the PX7S2. B&W didn't just change the design and design, but also made enhancements to ANC, and added more voice-calling features.
The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely lightweight, which makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. A lot of the look is the same as the previous model, such as the sleek oval aluminum earcup top and the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides rather than clicks when you expand it and the actual physical buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband isn't as substantial.
The software from B&W lets you modify EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over the mix between these two elements as you do with higher-end headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcups switches the environmental modes. It can also be programmed to activate the voice assistant of your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.
The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all musical styles. It has a large soundstage and good separation of different sound elements. It shines in particular on works that feature acoustic instruments such as Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon, which has woody tones with a sense air. It's also able to handle heavier fare, too, with the bass power and mid-range clarity on Entombed's garage/death-n'roll crossover curiosity To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth giving a wall of sound while keeping things clear enough to be able to discern the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.
4. Bose QuietComfort 35
Bose is among the first companies that brought active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for years but now they must compete with more modern headsets that have more features and better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great option for anyone who wants to listen to their music or podcasts with no hums or rumbles.
wireless noise cancelling headphones is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a great job of removing background noise, although it tends to emphasize lower frequencies more than modern headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.
The QC35s are a fantastic pair of headphones to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. They feature an active noise cancellation feature that blocks out ambient sounds while still keeping you isolated from your surroundings. The QC35s allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also "audio-share" to ensure that you can listen to music on one set of headphones while taking an incoming call with the other.
The Bose Connect App is decent however it lacks the extensive EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, but the quality of sound is reduced and battery life is not as good as wireless models.
The QC35s are a Bose product, and it might not be a favorite for everyone. Other brands offer more sleek designs. You can personalize your headphones by purchasing a decal-covered cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. In the near future you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headband, similar to the earlier QC25.
5. Sony WH-1000XM3
Sony's WH1000XM3 is the best wireless headphone with active noise cancellation that you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise. They also have a superior companion app that offers many sound customization options.
The XM3s have an excellent sound quality, and since their release, they've been enhanced to deliver the best performance. They're equipped with a little more clarity in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is better at all levels of volume. They also have better controls like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you're at and what you're doing.
However, they aren't without flaws. The midrange can sound a bit recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. They have a tendency to boost bass too much in some tracks, which makes the sound seem too loud and heavy. You can fix this in the Sony app or in the headphone settings.
The XM3s are a fantastic pair of headphones, especially for those who commute and frequent travel. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear more durable and premium than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and also have a better battery and one of our favorite noise cancelling features available on the market. They're also more versatile and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica ATH M50X Wireless, although they have less impressive noise isolation. And they're not waterproof, which could be a deal-breaker for some people.