The Best Over-Ear Headphones
If you commute on noisy public transportation, work in a noisy office with chatty co-workers or just want to listen to your music without the distraction of outside noise, headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We analyzed the top over ear headphones that combine great sound quality with impressive active noise cancellation.
Mpow Over Ear Headphones
These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a good robust and sturdy design. They also offer excellent audio quality that is impressive considering their price. They are designed as over-ear headsets with ear cups that fit comfortably over your ears to block out ambient noise. The earpads are a moderately padded cushion that protects the ears sufficiently to block a large portion of ambient sounds. However they don’t have an active noise cancellation feature. The earpads are heavier than 11 ounces, however, they are comfortable to wear over long periods of time.
The Mpow headphones have simple in design, and not much different from other headphone designs for over-ear on the market. The headband that connects the two ear cups is hinged, which allows them to fold into a compact unit to transport and store. The left earcup houses the controls for power, volume and noise cancellation. A microphone is built into the right earcup for hands-free phone calls.
The sound quality from the Mpow headphones is very good however they don’t have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Their accuracy in the PRTF and activation scores are well above average for Bluetooth headphone models which should give a wide and spacious soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is below average. This means that they sound more closed in and less open than headphones with larger, open-backed earcups.
They also have a decent amount of treble extension, which will give you a clear and crisp sound that will be able to handle the majority of music genres. The mids of Sony headphones are a bit more prominent, which gives them more of a dynamic sound. This is ideal for music that has a lot of instruments. Some users find the bass to be to be a bit loud, but you can alter this to your personal preference by altering the equalizer settings of your audio player.
The Mpow headphones are a great option for those who want to enjoy their favorite music without interruptions. They feature an extended battery life and can be used in wired mode when the charge runs out. The headphones come with an USB charger and the cable, so you can listen to your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back warranty, along with an 18-month guarantee on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its speedy response.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 are the latest headphones that are over-ear to be featured in the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider line of wireless headphones, which includes the PI5 & PI7. Unboxed, the style of these headphones immediately evokes an impression of luxuriousness. The use of metals and soft materials on the ear cups give them a high-end feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the head and ears, despite being slightly heavier. The ear pads are easy to snap on and off, so they can be replaced if they wear out.
Like many of the best noise cancelling over ear headphones headphones, these cans come with active noise cancellation, which minimizes the impact of external sounds while allowing you to listen to the music. The technology isn’t flawless however it does a good job of keeping the whir of an airplane engine or the train’s rumble out of your ears while not affecting the balance of music passages that may occupy the same frequencies.
One thing that really distinguishes the PX7 S2 apart from their rivals is the soundstage they offer that provides ample space and a strong separation between the various components of sound. This clarity isn’t often present in other Bluetooth headphones.
While the PX7 S2s aren’t as movable as their competition however, they come with a nice carry case. It’s also well-padded, and the headphones can fold flat for easy storage when not in use.
The ear cups are made of an enveloping, soft leather that feels luxurious to the touch. They’re also light which makes them ideal for long listening sessions. The headband was designed for maximum comfort and doesn’t squeeze too tightly. This helps prevent headaches.
The headphones have many features like Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to be connected with two devices simultaneously. They are compatible with all the most popular Bluetooth codes, and also high-resolution audio if your streaming service supports it. They have an audio amplifier that gives them an additional boost when used with electronics that aren’t powered such as laptops.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 are the newest model in the line of Sony’s top headphones that are over-ear and noise cancelling. These headphones are a great improvement to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s and the WH1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, as an example, can now mute low-frequency sounds such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also detect the location of your head and adjust the Ambient sound control settings accordingly.
You can still use voice-activated assistants to control your music and receive directions. The microphones in the earcups have been upgraded to allow them to be used to make calls using hands-free technology and also to control Siri/Google Assistant. The headphones also support Bluetooth 5.0 which means they are faster in pairing and connection speeds.
The WH-1000XM5 received high marks in our tests of comfort, user-friendliness and the quality of its sound. The lightweight headset is comfortable for long listening sessions and the ear cup can be adjusted to suit various head sizes. The headphones are lightweight and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit into a backpack or gaming a suitcase.
The ear cups have a slight curvature and the headband is more refined. This allows for a more subtle appearance. places of assembly. The new synthetic leather material gives it a more durable and luxurious. The ear cup’s space is also larger and is more comfortable to the ear. This can cause slight pressure on the head when worn for long periods of time.
Some of the key features of the WH-1000XM4s have been transferred to the XM5. You can swipe or tap the right earcup to switch songs, pause audio, and access Ambient sound mode. You can also place your hand over the right ear cup to temporarily turn down the volume of your music and increase ambient sound. This is beneficial when you want to hear what’s going on around you.
The XM5s are equipped with a few minor enhancements that make them a good choice for noise-canceling headsets. The new ANC gives better isolation for low-frequency noise, and the headphones will pause the music when removed from your head in order to save power. You can also switch to an open listening mode that lets in more exterior sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.
Skullcandy ATH-ADX700
The ATH-ADX700 headphones are a excellent choice for those who want to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They offer superior sound quality and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are light, so you don’t feel them on your head or ear. They have self-adjusting 3D wing that adapts to your head and reduces pressure. The headphones come with a cable that is easily connected to your audio source.
These are open-air headphones that appear very unique, due to their large earcups and honeycomb covers made of black that reveal the drivers inside. The unique design makes these headphones stand out, but that’s not all they have to provide. The self-adjusting wing support structure and the brand new 53 mm drivers that feature bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils and the aluminum casing that is lightweight and honeycomb are the main reasons these headphones are special and worth the cost.
The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response, which allows for an unmistakably natural, crisp treble. The sound isn’t as deep as other headphones, but that’s because they’re aimed at the general music lover who does not want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. These headphones are ideal for gamers because they let you hear your friends and other NPCs without being obstructed.
Although the ATH-ADX700 has an impedance of 32 ohms they still require a decent amplifier to ensure optimal performance. It’s not a problem when using them with an audio player that is portable, but it will be much easier to control and enjoy their full range of sound when paired with an appropriate headphone amp.
The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84 foot cable with a gold-plated connector 1/8 inch and a flexible TPE sheath that resists damaging and tangling. It also includes a 1/4-inch adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of a soft velvet material that initially itchy and feels soft, but then breaks into. The earpads are also made of a soft, higher-quality material that enhances comfort and durability.