You're About To Expand Your Wireless Over Ear Headphones Options
The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s are expensive, but they look and sound a cut above other headphones. The design is elevated by the 40mm carbon cone driver as well as Nappa leather. Additionally, a DAC mode supports hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship is Bose's top-of-the-line ANC technology, superior control, and a sleek design. The main selling point however, is the battery longevity.
Sound Quality
Wireless headphones with over-ears sound better because they surround your ears. They also come with larger, more powerful drivers that can deliver deep bass and wide soundstages. But this comes at a price and over-ear headphones usually are more expensive, with flagship models starting at about $250 / PS250 / $450 and often with active noise cancellation.
It's all a matter of preference and what you're using headphones for. If you want to listen to music in a noisy space and are looking for comfort over audio quality, a budget pair like the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good choice. If you're looking to spend a little more, the I-MEGO Throne Gold have a stunning sound and battery life, while the Focal Bathys are made for serious audiophiles, with their DAC mode that supports hi-res audio via USB-C.
The mid-tier price range offers some great options too and includes a variety of brands offering headphones that are great sounding for an affordable price. best wireless over ear headset (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is a fantastic example. They feature a thumping bass and a bright treble, perfect for rock and pop music however, they also feature a clear midrange that keeps the instruments and vocals at the forefront. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another good choice, with a better ANC and a great companion app with presets for various listening styles. If you like Bose's premium headphones, the QC35 II offers a similar experience but with more robust and durable noise-isolating design.
Audiophiles have well-trained ears and are able to distinguish between a pair of headphones. Even casual listeners can tell the difference between wireless and wired headphones. Wireless headphones come with many issues that could impact audio quality. Audio codecs, for example can alter the bandwidth, sample rates and the latency of wireless transmissions, resulting in distortion and loss of detail.
Fortunately, these issues are now much better with modern wireless headphones that use the latest Bluetooth technology and are compatible with advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm AAC. Most wireless over-ear headsets that we test provide top-quality audio quality for affordable prices.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless over-ear headphones can be an excellent option to block out noise at your office or on an plane. These headphones are generally much more comfortable than earbuds and many models offer active noise cancellation to make your audio and music calls more clear.
Active noise cancellation employs microphones to detect ambient noise and utilize frequencies to counteract it, effectively separating you from the surrounding. Most over-ear headsets that support this feature include an integrated microphone to ensure that your voice is heard clearly during phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT wireless noise cancelling headsets offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, as well as the battery can last up to 60 hours. These headphones over-ear are an excellent choice for those who commute, and they are compact enough to easily fit in your bag or purse.
The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a great option for those who wish to get a premium audio experience. They feature excellent audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. These French high-end audio manufacturer's first pair of wireless headphones is an audiophile's dream, featuring an open back design and luxurious materials such as leather and aluminum accents. The headphones come with features, like a companion app that includes an equalizer graphic and presets to fine-tune your listening preferences. They provide excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers and acoustic leather cups, and they can playback audio losslessly, allowing them to perform as premium hi-fi headphones wired.
Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless headphones are a great option for those on a budget. They're lightweight and comfortable, with a great sound and noise cancellation that's impressive. The headphones come with a variety of features including ANC and ambient-awareness modes with touch controls as well as support for Apple AAC and aptX for high-quality audio. The BT-600ANC are also one of the only pairs of headphones to feature an ambient awareness mode that can be programmed that lets you listen to the surrounding noise at a lower volume without switching off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to be running out on your long commute or during an exercise. Wireless headphones remove the need for cords and provide the most convenient solution. The battery power of wireless headphones can be depleted over time. You need to choose a pair that has long-lasting batteries.
Some models can last for days, or even weeks, on a single battery charge. This longevity comes with some trade-offs. To achieve this, manufacturers must to reduce the size of their batteries or cut down on other features. The top wireless headphones have a great balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones typically come with larger batteries, however their bulky design means they consume more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets, on contrary have a smaller design, which allows them to be more lightweight. They aren't as able to block out noise as their bulkier equivalents.
The Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set the new standard for wireless headphones. Both over-ear headphones can play for a whopping 60 hours when ANC enabled. They are able to easily outlast the top over-ear headsets with similar prices such as Sony's W1000XM5 or Bose's S740 III.
Focal's first wireless headphones are an ideal choice for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 over-ear headphones feature an open back design that's comfortable to wear and easy on the eyes. The headphones have a dynamic sound that is focused on bassy trebles and a powerful bass. The Focal headphones Px8 include a companion application which lets you personalize the sound.
Focal's headphones are among the most expensive available. This is due in part to their premium materials and construction. The headphones also have the ability to charge quickly, which lets you enjoy two hours of music with only 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are an excellent option if you're willing sacrifice a longer battery life in exchange for a high-quality sound and an incredibly comfortable fit.
Comfort
As opposed to earbuds and earphones, over-ear headphones rest on the ears, not around them. The ear pads press less against your ears and reduces pressure on your earlobes and helps you enjoy listening sessions longer. The ear cups also help to seal in the music and make it more engrossing. This can also enhance audio clarity because you can listen to every detail of music without being distracted by ambient noise or your own voice.
The majority of over-ear headphones are, however, not as lightweight as earbuds. The larger size and absence of folding mechanisms make them difficult to pack into backpacks or in pockets. They also require an enclosure to keep them safe when they are not in use. Most headphones come with a carrying bag, but this can be a hassle for those who enjoy listening to music while on the move.
This pair of wireless headphones is perfect for audiophiles searching for top-quality headphones to use while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone offers excellent comfort as well as high-quality sound and noise cancellation for a reasonable price. The headband and earcups are made of top quality materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The audio quality has improved from its predecessor with a more rich and clear sound. With a companion app which includes an EQ and presets, you can tweak the sound to suit your preferences.
Another option that is a top choice is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones, which feature a premium design with plenty of style and comfort. They are available in a range of colours, and they feature premium leather. They are elegant enough to wear with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile is bass-heavy and produces more energy and thump that complements EDM hip-hop, rap and other dance music genres. The Focal audio app has an integrated graphic equalizer that helps you adjust the sound of vocals and instruments.
It's hard to say which type of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience is contingent on personal preference. If you prefer headphones for over-ear use with a thicker padding, choose one with moderate clamping force. This will prevent your earlobes and ear canals from getting uncomfortable after long listening sessions, even with ANC activated.