Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?
Whether you’re on the train or at work the noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute must for those who love to listen. Which are the best?
With a fresh design that is a step up in sound quality, and a plethora of features, Sony’s latest flagship headphones offer great value. These headphones are able to capture every detail, from Sinead’s trembling Bridge to the powerful chorus.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the top model of this line. A few well-thought-out improvements over the XM4s make this model an all-around excellent pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute and travel. They’re comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously and feature the most powerful ANC Sony has ever made. They’re also lightweight and offer around 27 hours of playback with no charging, which is sufficient for a week’s worth commutes or a long-haul flight.
The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimal in design. They are made of ABS, a recyclable and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. You’ll see a tiny Sony logo on every hinge of the earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned by a plush soft material that is comfortable on all heads. The earcups can be adjusted so that they perfect fit your head.
Unlike previous models that focused on reducing low-frequency noise, the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves in order to block out background noise. This improves the overall sound quality and can help reduce cabin and engine noise on flights. The XM5s come with a second processor to dial up noise cancellation even more on planes and the audio application will also automatically adjust your listening environment based on the data from your air pressure.
The WH-1000XM5s comes with an integrated voice assistant that is easy to use, and it 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 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 more than 50 years. You can expect a superior sound quality, and a comfortable fit. With their latest headphones, dubbed Momentum 4 Wireless, they offer both. They have reworked their design to eliminate some characteristic elements that gave their previous models their aviator-style headset look. They also upgraded active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation Technology. These headphones are rated to last for 60 hours when ANC on which is twice the battery life of other competitors.
They’re also more mobile than the previous model because they fold down and are much smaller overall. They’re made with artificial PU leather for the re-usable headband and ear pads which feel comfortable on my noggin even if I wear them all day at work. They’re also not too tight, which means you can wear them for long flights, or even during your workouts.
The sound is clear and well-balanced, though there are some high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid, which can cause slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is overemphasized, adding extra punch and thump in genres like EDM or hip hop. It’s not a big deal but it might annoy some listeners. The high-mid has a little uneven balance too that pushes instruments and vocals to the forefront of mixes but at the expense of bringing out sibilants in some songs.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the standard features like bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode that mixes outside sounds into your music to increase awareness, and mobile application support for custom and preset EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can make use of SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they’re able to reduce latency by as much as one quarter of a second which is fantastic.
3. B&W PX7 S2
The original PX7s were top of the line on many lists of the most reliable Bluetooth headsets due to their outstanding ANC and the sound quality. However, like many wireless headphones, the PX7s have been getting older and in need of a refresh which is why the PX7 S2. B&W not only changed the design, but also made improvements to ANC, and added more features for voice calling.
The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely light, making them ideal for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is largely identical to the previous model. It has the cool oval 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 is less substantial.
The software of B&W lets you alter the EQ settings for the bass and treble. However you do not have as much control as you would with more expensive headphones. The Quick Action button on left earcup switches between the different modes of the environment. It can also be set to call the voice assistant of your device in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.
The PX7 S2 sounds great for most musical styles, with the soundstage offering plenty of width and good separation between the various sound elements. It is particularly impressive on pieces that have acoustic instruments, such as Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata, Op. 19, by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with woody instrumental tones and an airy feel. It’s also able to handle heavier fare, too, with the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed’s garage/death-n’roll crossover curiosity To Ride and Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth giving a wall of sound while keeping things clear enough to hear vocal details such as Lars-Goran Petrov’s sharp growl.
4. Bose QuietComfort 35
Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. While they held a stranglehold on the market for a long time however, they are now competing against newer headphones that offer more features and superior sound quality. That said the QuietComfort 35 is still a great choice for anyone who wants to hear their podcasts or music without being disturbed by constant buzzing and rumbles.
The default sound profile is balanced, and they’re comfortable to wear. The ANC how does noise cancelling headphones work a great job of removing background noise, though it tends to focus on 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 have an amazing passive noise cancellation feature which reduces ambient noises while keeping you isolated from the sounds of the environment around you. The QC35s allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and also «audio-share», so you can listen to music with one set of headphones while answering an incoming phone call from the other set of headphones.
The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn’t offer the extensive EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s can also be used in wired mode, however the sound quality is significantly diminished and battery life is not as good as wireless models.
The QC35s come with a well-known Bose style that may not appeal to some people as the more sleek designs of other brands. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a decal cover from companies like SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You can also customize the color of the earcups and headband later in the year, similar to what you can do with the previous QC25 model.
5. Sony WH-1000XM3
Sony’s WH-1000XM3 are among the top wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that you can get today. They’re more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more background noise canceling headphones — http://www.haim.kr -. They also come with a superior companion app that gives you many sound customization options.
The XM3s have a great audio quality, and since their release they’ve been improved to provide the best performance. They have a little more clarity across the spectrum of frequencies The noise cancelling function works better at all volume levels, and they have improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically how to noise cancelling headphones work much external sound is allowed in, based on the location you are and what you’re doing.
They’re not without some issues, however. The treble can be occasionally a bit overpowering and the midrange is slightly receding. They also have a tendency to boost bass too much in certain tracks, which can make them sound overly full and heavy. You can correct this issue by using the Sony app or in the headphone settings.
The XM3s are a great pair headphones, especially for those who commute or are 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 more powerful battery, and one of the top noise cancelling features available. They’re also more versatile and more suited for use on the go than Audio-Technica’s ATH M50X wireless, but their noise cancellation isn’t as impressive. They’re also not waterproof, Noise Canceling Headphones and that could be a deal breaker for some.