The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones completely surround your ears and block out any sound from outside. Choose headphones that feature active noise cancellation and a battery that lasts at least 20 hours with audio playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s have an excellent ANC feature, with a convenient on-ear control, and an app that is easy to use. The default sound profile provides punch and thump, but vocals and instruments can be moved into the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 are an excellent pair of headphones for music lovers who want to experience the best wireless over ear headset. They’re light and comfortable with a carrying case and fold flat for easy storage in your bag. Their touch controls are simple to use and intuitive and their battery can last for 30 hours with ANC switched off. The headphones come with an auto stop feature that turns them off when you remove them from your head. This helps to conserve battery.
The WH1000XM5 works with Sony Headphones Connect, which includes a range of features that can be used to personalize the audio experience. The app can be used to track your location and adjust ambient sound features according to your surroundings. The device also has an inbuilt microphone that can be used to make calls hands-free. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is able to play music via Bluetooth or with wired connections using the included cable. They are compatible with aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs as well as adaptive codecs that provide high-quality audio through Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4, the WH1000XM5 is light and comfortable, with well-padded headbands and ear cups. These headphones are comfortable to wear and are suitable for extended periods of time. They are also ideal for longer flights and commutes. They’re noise-cancelling wirelss headphones that can cut down background noise, but not compromise clarity or detail. The Sony WH-1000XM5 offer a decent amount of bass for a pair of closed back b uetooth headphones and they have a superb soundstage that has a clear separation of instruments and vocals.
The low latency is a big positive. The lag is so low that it’s virtually undetectable and they can be used to play casual games. They’re not the best choice for competitive video games though and are ideal for Wirelss Headphones those who intend to use them for media consumption or for making hands-free phone calls.
Sony is very committed to including smart features into its products, and the WH-1000XM5 is not a different. The active noise cancellation is one of the most effective I’ve used and they have many clever features that will enhance your listening experience. They also include Sony’s DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to near hi-res quality. They’re compatible with Sony’s LDAC technology which streams music with higher bitrates via Bluetooth.
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones which is the PX7 S2, have consistently appeared on top wireless headset lists since the launch of the first-generation PX7 in 2015. This puts them in the same class as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest version that takes the first generation of headphones up a notch with improved ANC performance as well as a new appearance.
In the earcups, the 40mm bio cellulose drivers are bent to point straight at your eardrums to deliver an audio experience that’s more intimate than most closed-back headphones. This is a bold claim however, one that the PX7 S2 can deliver on. Vocals are clear and clear, and bass is a deep and wirelss headphones rumbly when it needs to be.
The PX7 S2 is also very good at voice calls. It has a crisp clean, clear sound that will not drown out your voice. The PX7 S2 also comes with a quick charge, which will allow you to return to full capacity in less than two hours. They are also compatible with hi-res music, thanks to the aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc that allow them to play 24-bit audio.
For most listeners the most significant upgrade is the improvement in noise cancellation and audio quality. In our tests, the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulations of cabin noise with astonishing efficiency, and they excelled when we played Mozart’s Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent insight into the shifting dynamics between the solo voice, wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s are not only noise-canceling, but they also include a variety of features that make them comparable to other top-rated headphones. They’re completely wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint support, meaning that you can pair with two devices at once. They also come with built-in microphones that allows for hands-free calls with your phone’s assistant. They’re also incredibly robust, with a premium feel and robustly-constructed construction that can last for years of continuous usage.
They’re not perfect, of course. The clamp force we used on our test models was a little tighter than we’d prefer and there aren’t as numerous additional features in the app as other options, but these aren’t major complaints. The PX7 S2s is a superb wireless headset that is able to compete with other models in its class. It’s hard to imagine a rival to match them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys is a great option for audiophiles who value high-quality sound and are searching for headphones that can be used wirelessly to block out noise. They’re the French audio company’s very first ANC headphones that utilize Bluetooth and offer amazing sound in both bluetooth headphone wireless mode and when connected to an device via USB to enjoy hi-fi quality sound at up to 24-bit/192kHz (the headphones are also capable of passively blocking external sound through its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are stunning with their sleek black finish and swooping curves reminiscent of Focal’s premium open-back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. The Bathys are constructed of premium materials like aluminum and magnesium, which make them feel durable and comfortable. They are also worth the cost.
In Bluetooth mode, the Bathys deliver a crisp and vibrant sound that easily surpasses similarly priced consumer ANC options such as the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. They can be pushed even further with direct DAC audio mode, making them a great choice for those who love hi-fi.
The Focal &Naim app lets users to adjust the playback controls of the headphone and Bluetooth pairing preferences. Users can choose between quiet or soft intensities for ANC as well as adjust the brightness of the LEDs on the headphone’s earcups, and alter the settings for EQ. The app is not complete however it provides enough functionality to be worth the cost of downloading.
The only drawback is the active noise cancellation, which doesn’t measure up to the competition. The headphone doesn’t block out all ambient noise like the most rated XM5 or AirPods Max, and its Treble accuracy is subpar with a muddy mid to high range that detracts from vocals and instruments.
The Focal Bathys aren’t the most portable headphones. They’re not suitable for travel because their ear cups don’t fold, and they weigh more than other models. The Bathys are best used at home for long listening sessions or as an audio reference headset for audio engineering. Despite their size and weight they are Bathys are extremely comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N headset is a excellent pair of wireless over-ear headsets for the price. They have a solid noise-cancelling system that does an excellent job of quelling ambient noise, making them ideal for those who commute and travel. Their matte finish and durable construction add a touch of premium quality.
They follow a similar design to Sony’s newer 1000X and XB910N headphones. They feature a slim headband, with the standard earcup hinges and a solid plastic build. They’re light and comfortable, however they’re a bit tight for my taste. They have a USB-C charging port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable in the box. They are multipoint Bluetooth, which means you can connect two devices at the same time when you want to.
In my tests, the CH720N’s noise-cancelling technology was able to do an excellent job of curbing ambient noise, with only two noticeable blips in walking around Waterloo station and London Victoria. They weren’t sound-silencers that blocked out every sound, however, they struggled with low-frequency sounds like the rumbling engine noises of trains and buses.
The CH720N’s Bluetooth connection was a breeze and displayed a low harmonic distortion. I tried a variety of genres and discovered that they could handle the intricate interplay among instruments well. It did an impressive job of taming the bass in rock tracks while keeping the mix in focus.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows you to alter the CH720N’s multipoint connection and ANC settings to your liking. You can also choose from a range of audio presets. You can also activate DSEE via the app, which improves the quality of sound and boosts compression of audio content.
The WH-CH720N is a good value for PS130. It’s not equipped with many of Sony’s most popular features (such as Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention) but it has numerous amazing features. It comes with 360 Reality Audio and a variety of smart controls and the aforementioned DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing missing is LDAC Bluetooth high-res audio support which I believe would have been a welcome inclusion.