Best Over-Ear Headphones
In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear cover your ears completely and allow for larger drivers to produce greater bass and larger soundstages. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life with a stylish and distinct design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has improved an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They’re lighter, feel more constructed, and have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that allows some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than a lot of competitors.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, however you’ll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between the two when needed. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.
One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond more quickly to a tap on the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or to listen to music. Sony has also added a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise when calling which is noticeable and a nice addition.
While the WH-1000XM4s aren’t perfect, they’re some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we’ve tested. They’re comfortable, feel well made, and have an impressive battery that lasts for longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used with the TRS cable, which is ideal for those who travel or want to conserve power.
The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sound. They also come with a companion app that lets you tweak their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W’s. The B&Ws are more robust and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine that tries to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it improves the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headset that became a staple for commuters and travelers around the globe. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, Buy bluetooth headphones online improved noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.
Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made from plastic, yet it has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without pressing your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be worn with a coat or sweater because they function even when not on your head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not offer the best sound at this price. The frequencies are flat and lack the details that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for the majority of music but could be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent, but it lacks power.
The ability to pause playback after removing the headset is a feature that is absent. This is a feature that Bose’s competitors have offered for several years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.
You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via bluetooth head phones 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.
The QC45s also include four built-in microphones that pick up your voice during calls. The headphones have good call quality, but they don’t let you mute the voice during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s in February 2022 introduced manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are renowned for their style and comfort which tell listeners that they’re hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Buy bluetooth headphones Online music for 30 hours. We actually got a little more from them with more than 40 hours on average out of one charge. If you have to charge the headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
They have a decent amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price point, including support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you’ll need to manually select your source device each time you would like to listen). They have a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface, making it easy to control your music and take calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. They aren’t as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it’s still very effective.
In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones The Bathys were a good overall performer with the frequency response which generally is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve with only minor differences in the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound profile which adds plenty of boom to mixes, however, they can make instruments and vocals such as cymbals sound veiled.
They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about others listening to your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording using Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company’s flagship Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this class. The new pair is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a an elegant design, enhanced gesture control and a massive battery life.
The improvements here are subtle but they make a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s lay flat and aren’t foldable, but they do come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe while on the go. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, such as the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you’ll find on the AirPods.
The most obvious difference in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback time with noise cancellation activated. This is more than what the majority of the competitors offer and enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral music sounds dull instead of grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded however, it can be overemphasized and cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines like the drums in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full, and there’s no real sense of depth in the bass.
The Momentum 4s are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ears. They can be fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually using the power button.