How Headphones Has Changed My Life The Better

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones cover your ears and plunge you in the music. They are generally designed for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that includes ANC and a mobile application to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening through USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 earphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancelling lineup. They have a fresh new design, improved ANC and a lot of the same features that their predecessors had but with premium materials and slightly higher-quality sound.

At only 250g, they're light for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband is a friction-rod design that is similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, wired which keeps your ears from getting too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sound signature that has been designed to satisfy both casual music listeners as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, yet it's not abrasive or imposing. The earphones boast a huge and spacious soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups also have touch controls that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to play the next track, reverse to hear the previous track, and up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices simultaneously and, thanks to a built-in sensor, they will automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can turn on ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other helpful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). They come with a sturdy carrying case made of high-end fabric as well as a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. In our standard battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on voice calls is excellent and there's not any muffled or static-y sound in the background. Noise cancellation is also great and these headphones are perfect for public transportation or in the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade from its predecessor, offering premium performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming enhanced active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled in each earcup, provide a more immersive and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls, even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote allows you to control calls and music from any device that is compatible.

Similar to the PX7's original design, these headphones are sleek and elegant with accent rings on each earcup as well as a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium, yet they never feel tight. The redesigned shape and form took many months to perfect, providing a comfortable clamping force that doesn't press too hard even on my own rotund cranium.

At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as just a little thinner. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear throughout long listening sessions. The headband is foldable using a sturdy hinge at the back.

The headphones jvc are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as tight video sync. You can also play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a helpful gesture with a green flash to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W App provides the same control options that the hardware onboard buttons offer such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments, wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and more. When you play music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. However, the most popular features like music presets or soundscapes feature aren't available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones and was made to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction was designed to provide an incredible detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic spatial sound you'll hear with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier to drive it at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which can increase the output and boost the quality of sound.

These headphones are made to be used by professionals and feature a sturdy metal frame that is adorned with leather and plastic. The design is minimalistic and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their build are top-quality. They come with a carrying pouch and an additional audio cable, as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are light in bass. The open-back design results in a spacious, out-of-head soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor drops and peaks. The region of the treble has a linearity which means you won't be able to deal with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

Even with the absence of high-pitched bass, they still produce a punch and dynamism when required. They'll still be a great choice for those who enjoy listening to rock music with punchy basslines, but they may not sound like some of the models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are straight and have a slight incline in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations, which is an added benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. They're a top choice due to their exceptional sound quality and a comfortable fit. They are expensive, but you're paying for a pair of headphones that will last for many years to be able to perform at their best in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that will do the trick for anyone looking to kill some time or just wants an affordable pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag that will give them some protection when you toss them in a bag and their battery is capable of lasting many long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles on a plane, though their audio profile is a little heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons to pair and power up the headphones as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup, you'll find media playback controls, including a multi-function button that lets you activate the voice assistant on your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in microphone can be used to make hands-free phone calls.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide a rich and immersive listening experience, thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones feature the treble range to go up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling is designed to filter out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a pity. This means that you will not be able to benefit of the better codes' lower latency while playing games on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are soft enough to be worn for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to your individual head shape. You can also listen to music via a 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB cable is provided for charging the battery.