How To Know The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset That's Right For You
The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds completely enclose your ears and block out ambient sound. Look for headphones that have active noise cancellation and batteries that last at 20 hours or more.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s come with great ANC as well as a handy app, and simple control via the ear. Its default sound profile delivers punch and thump, but vocals and instruments can be nudged to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are a great pair of headphones for music lovers who want to enjoy the best wireless over-ear headset. The headphones are light, come with a soft carry bag and fold flat to fit in your bag. The controls are simple and easy to use, and the battery can last for 30 hours with no ANC. They even have an auto-pause feature that will turn off your headphones when they're removed from your head to conserve battery.
The WH-1000XM5 can be used with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an array of features that can be used to customize your audio experience. The app is able to monitor your location and alter ambient sound features based on your environment. The microphone is built in for hands-free calling. The Sony WH1000XM5 can be used to play music via Bluetooth or via wired connections using the cable included. They are compatible with aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs, and adaptive codecs for high-quality audio over Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 sports the same headband and ear cups to the XM4 however it is lighter and more comfortable. They're comfortable to wear for long periods of time and are comfortable enough for long commutes and flights. They offer excellent noise cancellation performance that block out the majority of background noise without compromising on clarity and detail. The Sony WH1000XM5 has decent bass for a pair of closed back headphones and they have a superb soundstage that has an excellent separation of instruments and vocals.
They have a low latency when watching videos which is a plus. The lag is so low that it's virtually undetectable and they are able to be used for casual games. They're not the ideal choice for competitive video games though and are ideal for those who are using them for media consumption and for making hands-free phone calls.
Sony is very committed to infusing smart features into their products and the WH-1000XM5 are not a different. The active noise cancellation is one of the best I've tried and they come with a set of smart functions to improve the overall listening experience. They also include Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to near high-res quality. They're also compatible with Sony's LDAC technology, which streams audio with higher bitrates over Bluetooth (although not as hi-res as the headphone DAC that's dedicated).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Since the release of the first generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have often been included on top lists of wireless headsets and putting them in the same category with the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort. The newest model, called the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the first headphones to the next level with improved ANC performance as well as a fresh design.
In the earcups, bio cellulose 40mm drivers are angled to point straight at your eardrums in order to provide an audio experience that's more intimate than most closed-back headphones can manage. The PX7 S2 does not disappoint in this claim with a fervent zeal. Vocals are clear and clear and bass is rich and rumbly when it's needed to be.
The PX7 S2 is also very excellent at making calls. It has a clear clean, clear sound that will not overpower your voice. The PX7 S2 is also able to provide a quick charge, which can bring you back to full capacity in less than two hours. They're also compatible with high-resolution music thanks to aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc which allow the playback of 24-bit audio.
The noise-canceling technology as well as improved audio quality are the most important improvements for the majority of listeners. In our tests we were able to eliminate a majority of the simulations of aircraft noises using the PX7 S2. They also performed well in Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus which offer excellent insight into the changing dynamics between the solo vocal, wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s are not only noise-cancelling, but they come with a range of other features that make them comparable to other top-rated headphones. They're completely wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint support, which means you can pair two devices simultaneously. They also have a built in microphone which allows hands-free calls while using your phone assistant. The build quality is durable and top-quality and will last for many years.
Of best wireless headphones , they're not 100% perfect. The clamp force of our test models were a little more than we'd like and they didn't have as many app features as other options. However, these aren't major issues. The PX7 S2s is an excellent wireless headset that is able to compete with other models in its class. It's hard to imagine a competitor beating them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys is the best option for audiophiles who value high fidelity, and who are in search of a wireless noise-canceling headphone. The Focal Bathys are the first ANC headphones from a French audio company to use Bluetooth. They offer incredible sound both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device that supports true hi-fi listening with up to 24bit/192kHz.
The Bathys are stunning, with their glossy finish and swooping curvatures that are similar to Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are built with premium materials like aluminum and magnesium, which make them feel sturdy and comfortable. They're also worth the price.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys provide a clear and lively sound signature that easily surpasses similarly priced consumer ANC alternatives like the Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode allows them to be further pushed and makes them an excellent option for true hifi listeners.
Utilizing the Focal and Naim application users can alter their headphone's playback controls as well as the virtual assistant and Bluetooth pairing preferences. Users can choose between silent or soft intensities for ANC and adjust the brightness of the LEDs that are on the earcups, and alter the EQ settings. The app is bare-bones but it has enough functionality to warrant the download.
The only significant flaw is that the active noise cancellation does not perform as well as the competition. The headphone doesn't eliminate all ambient noise as well as the highly rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy also falls short and has a muddy high to mid range that obstructs the sound of instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't very portable. They're not ideal for travel since their ear cups don't fold, and they weigh more than other headphones. The Bathys are best used at home for long listening sessions, or as an example headset for audio engineering. Despite their size and weight, the Bathys are actually comfortable to wear for prolonged durations of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N is excellent pair of wireless over ear headsets at a reasonable price. They come with a reliable noise-cancelling feature that does a great job of reducing ambient noise, making them ideal for those who commute or travel. Their matte finish and robust construction gives them a hint of luxury.
They have a similar design to Sony's newer 1000X and XB910N headphones. They feature a slim headband with the usual ear cup hinges and a solid plastic construction. They are light and comfortable, but they feel a bit too tight for my taste. In the box, they have an USB-C port to charge and a 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth pairing, which means that you can connect to two devices simultaneously If you want to.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did a fantastic job of reducing ambient sound. There were only a few noticeable glitches while walking around Waterloo Station and London Victoria. They weren't magic sound-silencers that blocked out every sound however, they struggled with lower frequency noises such as the rumbling engine noises of trains and buses.
The streaming of music via the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth, and it displayed a low level of harmonic distortion. I tested a range of genres and discovered that they were able to handle the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did an excellent job of taming the bass in rock tracks while keeping the focus of the mix.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows you to customize the CH720N's multipoint connection and ANC settings to your liking. You can also choose from a range of audio presets. You can also enable DSEE via the app, which improves the quality of sound and boosts compression of audio files.
The WH-CH720N offers a great value for PS130. It isn't equipped with some of Sony's best features (such as Speak-toChat and Quick Attention) however it comes with many great features. 360 Reality Audio, smart controls and DSEE upscaling are all included. The only thing not available is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support, which I believe would have been a great inclusion.