Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?
Whether you're on the train or at work, noise-cancelling headphones are a godsend for those who love to listen. Which ones are the best, though?
With a new design that is a step up in sound quality, and a plethora of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer exceptional value. These headphones can capture every detail, from Sinead O'Connor's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony is the leader in noise cancellation and its WH1000XM5 headphones represent the most advanced version of this line. This model is an excellent pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable and feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously, and are the most powerful ANC Sony has ever created. They're light and can run for up to 27 hours without charging. This is enough for a week of commutes or long-haul flights.
The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimalist in appearance. They are made from ABS which is an eco-friendly and recycled plastic. The branding is very minimal. You'll find tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned with plush soft material that is comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups are also adjustable so you can find the perfect fit for you.
Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out ambient noise. This improves overall sound quality and helps to reduce cabin and engine noise on flights. The XM5s comes with another processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app is also able to automatically alter the listening environment in accordance with the data on air pressure.
The WH-1000XM5s also features an assistant for voice that is simple to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. You can also pair the XM5s to other Sony audio products to enable stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio through Sony's LDAC but not HD or aptX.
2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Sennheiser has been making headphones for over 50 years. You can expect a high-quality sound, as well as a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest over-ears, named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped the design to remove certain elements that gave the earlier models the look of an aviator headset and also improved their active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. These headphones are rated to last for 60 hours when ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of other competitors.
They're also much more mobile than the previous model because they fold down and are smaller overall. The ear pads and headband are made of synthetic PU leather, which is comfortable on my head when I wear it for the entire day. They're also not too tight, so you can wear them on long flights, or even during your workout.
The sound is smooth and clear, but there are some highs that can cause a little confusion to the mixes. The bass is too loud with a lot of punch and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a big deal, but it may bother some listeners. The high-mid also has a sloppy balance that brings instruments and vocals forward in the mix, but at the cost of bringing out some sibilants.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparency mode which blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness and mobile apps that support custom and preset EQ options. They can also be used with a 3.5mm cable when connecting to your phone via wire. They are able to connect to your device via SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes and can cut down the delay by as much as one quarter second.
3. B&W PX7 S2
Since their release in 2004, the original PX7s have been featured on numerous lists of the top Bluetooth headphones, atop them in many cases thanks to their impressive ANC and strong sound quality. But, like all wireless headphones, the PX7s have been getting older and needed a refresh which is why the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just tweaked the design for this new version, but has made significant improvements to ANC and also added more voice-call features, too.
The PX7 S2 headphones are incredibly light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is largely identical to the model before it. This includes the stylish oval-shaped aluminium top-plate for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides instead of clicks when you expand the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband isn't as substantial.
The software from B&W lets you adjust the EQ settings of the bass and treble. However you don't have as much control as you would with higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switches between various modes of the environment. It can also be set within the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to summon the voice assistant on your device.
The PX7 S2 sounds great for the majority of musical styles, with a a soundstage that offers ample width and great separation between the various sounds. It shines particularly on pieces that feature acoustic instruments like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon, with woody instrumental tones and a sense of air. It can handle heavier fare too. The bass punch and midrange clarity on Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth, give an overwhelming sound while keeping things clear to be able to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.
4. Bose QuietComfort 35
Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones to the mainstream. While they held a stranglehold on the market for a long time but they are now competing against newer headsets that have more features and better sound quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for those who want to listen to music or podcasts with no hums or rumbles.
They're comfortable to wear and come with a a well-balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a great job of removing background noise, though it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than the latest headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.
If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts The QC35s come with an amazing passive noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient noise while keeping you adrift from the hum of the environment around you. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" which means you can listen to music on one set of headphones and answer an incoming call on the other set of headphones.
The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options offered by other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, however the sound quality is drastically reduced and battery life isn't as great as wireless models.
over the ear noise cancelling headphones are an Bose product, and it might not be a favorite for all. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. However, you can add a bit of personalization by buying a decal cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. You can also change the color of the earcups and headband later in the year, similar to what you could with the earlier QC25 model.
5. Sony WH-1000XM3
Sony's WH1000XM3 headphones are the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation that you can buy right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. The app is also more advanced and offers tons of sound customization options.
The XM3s offer a fantastic audio quality, and since their release, they've been enhanced to give an even better experience. They're a bit more detail in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is superior at all levels of volume. They also have upgraded controls, such as Quick Attention mode and Speak-to chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound that is let in based where you are and what you're doing.
They're not without some problems, however. The midrange can sound a bit receding, and the treble may sometimes be too loud. They still have the tendency to increase the bass too much on certain tracks, making the sound too heavy and full. However, this is something you can correct by changing the settings for your headphone or through EQ adjustment within the Sony app.
The XM3s make a great pair of headphones, especially for commuters or frequent travelers. They're more comfortable, comfortable, and appear superior and more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless and have a much more powerful battery, and one of our top noise cancellation features available in the market. They are also more versatile and better-equipped to use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X wireless, but their noise isolation is less impressive. They're not waterproof, and that could be a deal breaker for some.