Headphones Noise Cancelling: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?
On best budget noise cancelling headphones or at work the noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend for those who love to listen. Which are the best, though?
With a brand new design that is a step up in sound quality, and an enviable list of features, Sony's latest flagship headphones offer great value. These headphones are able to capture every detail, from Sinead's bridge that trembles to the booming chorus.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the top model of the series. This model is an excellent pair of headphones, especially for commuters or travelers. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously and have the best ANC Sony has produced yet. They're also lightweight and provide approximately 27 hours of playback time without charging, which is enough to last a week's worth commuting or one long-haul flight.
The WH1000XM5s look sleek and minimalist in design. They are made of ABS, which is a recyclable and recycled plastic. Branding is minimal, though you'll find the tiny "Sony" logo on the hinge of each earcup. The headband and earcups feature soft, plush material that is comfortable for all head sizes apart from the biggest. The earcups can be adjusted so that they perfect fit your head.
In contrast to previous models that concentrated on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves to cancel out ambient noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps drown out the noise of engines and cabins during flights, for instance. The XM5s come with another processor to enhance noise cancellation further on airplanes, and the audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment based on the data from your air pressure.
The WH-1000XM5s also features a voice assistant that is easy 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 for stereo and multi-room music playback separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming using LDAC, which Sony's codec is based on, but don't support the aptX or aptX HD.
2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for over 50 years. You can expect a premium sound quality and a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest over-ears, dubbed the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've reworked the design to remove certain elements that gave the previous models their aviator headset look and also improved their active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. The headphones are designed to last for 60 hours with ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of a lot of rivals.
The new model is more portable, since it folds down and is a bit smaller. The ear pads and the headband are made of artificial PU leather, which is comfortable on my head when I wear it for the entire day. They are also not very tight, so you can wear them on long flights, or even during your workouts.
The sound is well-balanced and clear, though there are some high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid, which can cause slightly muddy sound in mixes. The bass is overemphasized, which adds a little impact and thump to genres like EDM or hip-hop. It's not a major issue however some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid is some uneven balance, pushing vocals and instruments towards the front of the mix but at the expense of bringing out sibilants into some songs.
The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all the standard features that include Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that blends outside noises into your music to improve awareness, as well as mobile application support for pre-set and custom EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can connect to your device via SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can cut down the delay by as much as one quarter second.
3. B&W PX7 S2
The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of most reliable Bluetooth headsets due to their superior ANC and audio quality. But, like all wireless headphones, they've become older and in need of an update, hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just tweaked the design of the new version, but it's made substantial improvements to ANC and also added features for voice calls, too.
The first thing you notice when you open the box and take out the PX7 S2 is how lightweight they are, which makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is basically identical to the model before it. This includes the sleek oval aluminum top-plate for the earcups the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband, and the physical buttons. The earcups are a bit smaller, however, and the headband is less large overall.
The software of B&W lets you tweak EQ settings for treble and bass, but you don't get as much control over the mix between these two elements as you would on higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the various modes of the environment. It can also be configured in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call your device's voice assistant.
The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It has a large soundstage and a good separation of the various sound elements. It's particularly impressive on music that has acoustic instrumentation like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. The 19 by Yuja Wang and Gautier Capucon features woody tones with a sense air. It can take on heavier music as well. The bass power and midrange clarity of Entombed's crossover of garage and deathn'roll, To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth, give a wall of noise while still allowing listeners to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov's grittier growl.
4. Bose QuietComfort 35
Bose was among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. Although they held an unwavering position in the market for many years however, they are now competing against newer headsets with more features and superior audio quality. However, the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal option for those who want to listen to music or podcasts without being disturbed by continuous noises and rumbles.
They're also comfortable to wear and come with a a well-balanced default sound profile. The ANC does a fantastic job of removing background noise, although it tends to emphasize low frequencies more than modern headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.
If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s feature an amazing passive noise cancellation feature that cuts down on ambient sounds while ensuring you are completely insulated from the sounds of the surrounding environment. The QC35s can also connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" so that you can listen to music on one pair of headphones while answering an incoming call from the other.
The Bose Connect App is decent, but it doesn't have the extensive EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, however the quality of sound is diminished and battery longevity isn't as good as with wireless models.
The QC35s are an Bose product, and it might not be a favorite for everyone. Other brands offer more sleek designs. However, you can add a bit of personalization by purchasing a decal-covered cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. Later this year you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headband, just like with the older QC25.
5. Sony WH-1000XM3
Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best wireless headphones that have active noise cancellation you can purchase right now. They're more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they isolate a lot more ambient noise and feel much better-built. The app is also more advanced and offers tons of sound-related options for customization.
The XM3s have a great sound quality, and since their release they've been improved to give even better performance. They have a little bit more detail in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancellation is superior at all levels of volume. They also have better features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to Chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in based on where you are and what you're doing.
They're not without some issues, however. The midrange can sound a bit recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. And they still have a tendency to increase bass too much in certain tracks, making the sound seem too loud and heavy. You can fix this by using the Sony app or in the headphone settings.
The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for commuters and frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, feel and look premium, and are more durable than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery and one of the top noise cancellation features available. They are also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's M50X wireless, though their noise isolation is less impressive. And they're not waterproof, which can be a major issue for some people.