Best Over the Ear Headphones
wireless headphone uk headphones allow you to listen to music and podcasts without the requirement to connect a wire to your audio device. These headphones are great for use in public transport, at the office or at home.
Wireless over-ear headphones may have a premium design and exceptional noise cancellation. They typically come with a sleek storage case.
Soundcore Life Q30
A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears appear better, feel stronger, and are generally more polished. They're still mostly made of plastic, however the hinges are more secure and the soft leather cups are bigger. You can switch the 3.5mm cord for a higher quality USB-C cable to use them with mobile Hi-Res and stationary Hi-Fi players. They also have dual built-in mics that worked well during our tests with FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app offers a wide range of EQ presets that can be saved and tweaked to listen to podcasts or music in the way you prefer. This is the thing that sets these headphones apart from other ANC headphones and the Soundcore app is very easy to use.
When ANC is on the Q30's 40mm drivers cut out almost all ambient noise and make for an extremely pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound quality is natural, however it lags it is a bit treble. Some might be disappointed by the bass response (we have had better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer). You can fix this easily with the Soundcore App, which comes with an 8-band Equalizer.
The headphones feature the power button and a pairing button on the left earcup and an USB-C port to charge. The right earcup is equipped with buttons for play/pause, volume control and volume up/down. Double-clicking these buttons lets you skip tracks or repeat the previous one. You can also use voice commands to ask for a change in mode or set alarms. You can also cover the right earcup with your hand to activate ambient modes so that you can hear everything around you without having to remove the headphones.
The Q30 headphones offer a long battery life. The Q30 lasts for an hour longer in our tests when ANC was on than the other models. This allows you to take advantage of the long flight, or a busy day at work. The included USB-C cord allows you to quickly charge them. You'll also receive an alert when your battery is about to run out.
Focal Bathys wireless bluetooth headphones
Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of powerful over-ear headphones that provide both active noise cancellation as well as Bluetooth playback. These headphones are designed to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or while on the move. They're slightly more expensive than other similar headphones, but their superior audio quality is the primary selling factor.
The Focal Bathys are packed in a compact attractive white box with a cloth finish. It comes with all the accessories you'll require. The headphone carry case folds flat, and comes with a case, USB-C-to-USB-C cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.
The battery's 600mAh capacity will last for a whole day of casual listening. They also have an audio input to use wired. Wirelessly, they are paired via Bluetooth. You can control their functions via an app (now called Focal and Naim in the same way as English Naim's network-aware products) or the dedicated button located on the left earcup which scrolls through ANC profiles like'silent','soft transparent,' and 'full.
The app lets you modify various settings, such as the brightness of the LEDs and the EQ presets (including a'music' profile which sounds brighter and neutraler than the other profiles) and the battery life. You can also choose the ANC level and mode as well as set an 'acoustic environments setting to alter the sensitivity to mimic the sound of headphones in a different acoustic room.
The Focal Bathys come with bass-rich, rich sound profiles that adds more punch, impact and warmth to your favourite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments are nudged back into the mix and can sound dull, while details like cymbals are slightly less prominent than you'd expect from other wiresless headphones (navigate to this site). They're also not as effective in active noise cancellation contrasted to other headphones with higher-end technology like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony headphones are renowned for their high-end quality and the WH1000XM5 is not an exception. It is at the top of the mainstream over ear headphone market and is in the luxury lifestyle segment where brands such as Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. The XM5s come with a high price tag but, if you can afford it, there are better over the ear wireless headphones on the market.
The XM5s come with features that help listeners and, in some instances, automate tasks they'd otherwise have to handle manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to close to high-res) is also included as well as support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. That allows for streaming of high-quality audio at bitrates higher than conventional Bluetooth. The built-in microphone is capable of making calls hands-free.
The XM5 headphones aren't different from the previous generation headphones from WH, in terms of noise cancellation. They're among the most efficient headphones for cutting out constant drones found in train and underground carriages. The XM5s also excel at isolating the listener from the hum of busy airports and streets.
The sound quality is also top-quality. The XM5s may not be as clear in the low frequencies as the XM4, however, there's a more pronounced sense of clarity and openness also. The bass on Rage Against The Machine’s Bullet in the Head shows off the Sonys power and clarity without affecting the rest of the music. In the same way, Massive Attack's grooving Angel showcases the XM5's ability to create precise and precise bass notes.
Battery life is also good, providing up to 30 hours of listening with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's turned off. That's more than enough for a weekend getaway or a few days of heavy usage.
The XM5s are not dust or water resistant. In fact, Sony recommends that you avoid sweating on them or wear them in the rain. This may not be a problem for Wiresless Headphones a lot of people, but it might cause a problem for anyone who spend a lot of their time at the gym or lives in a rainy city.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones that fit over the ear equipped with bluetooth wireless headphones technology and noise cancelling. They feature 40mm Apple-designed dynamic drivers with neutral audio profiles that concentrates on the highs and mids while not going too loud on either ends of the spectrum. This makes them ideal for both music and movies. They also offer better sound quality when compared with other headphones.
The headphones are light in design that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups are made of memory foam, are covered with woven fabric and sit comfortably over the ear they do not place pressure on the sides or forehead. Ear cups can be flipped and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges feature a strong but not too robust clamping force that ensures that the ear cups remain in place during listening sessions.
Toggle noise cancelling mode by pressing a small button on the top of the right earcup. There's also a pushable, Jog-dial-like button, akin to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can twist for volume control and press once twice or three times to playback control. Siri can be activated by pressing and holding the button. These buttons are placed well and easy to use, but I missed having an option to switch off the headphones when they're not in use. The headphones automatically switch to standby mode when removed from your ear or placed in their case. They only wake up when you put them on your head again.
Spatial audio is a cool feature. It uses the accelerometers, gyroscopes and iPads or iPhones to determine where you are moving. Then, it alters the position of the sounds to make them appear to originate from that particular location. This creates an immersive theater experience for films and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only downside is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to use it and you won't be able to enjoy it on other devices.
The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd feel a bit ripped off going into an Apple Store and spending $549 on them if I knew they'd be outdone in a year by the second-generation model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and improved battery life, making it hard to justify the extra cost for most people.
wireless headphone uk headphones allow you to listen to music and podcasts without the requirement to connect a wire to your audio device. These headphones are great for use in public transport, at the office or at home.Wireless over-ear headphones may have a premium design and exceptional noise cancellation. They typically come with a sleek storage case.
Soundcore Life Q30
A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears appear better, feel stronger, and are generally more polished. They're still mostly made of plastic, however the hinges are more secure and the soft leather cups are bigger. You can switch the 3.5mm cord for a higher quality USB-C cable to use them with mobile Hi-Res and stationary Hi-Fi players. They also have dual built-in mics that worked well during our tests with FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app offers a wide range of EQ presets that can be saved and tweaked to listen to podcasts or music in the way you prefer. This is the thing that sets these headphones apart from other ANC headphones and the Soundcore app is very easy to use.
When ANC is on the Q30's 40mm drivers cut out almost all ambient noise and make for an extremely pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound quality is natural, however it lags it is a bit treble. Some might be disappointed by the bass response (we have had better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer). You can fix this easily with the Soundcore App, which comes with an 8-band Equalizer.
The headphones feature the power button and a pairing button on the left earcup and an USB-C port to charge. The right earcup is equipped with buttons for play/pause, volume control and volume up/down. Double-clicking these buttons lets you skip tracks or repeat the previous one. You can also use voice commands to ask for a change in mode or set alarms. You can also cover the right earcup with your hand to activate ambient modes so that you can hear everything around you without having to remove the headphones.
The Q30 headphones offer a long battery life. The Q30 lasts for an hour longer in our tests when ANC was on than the other models. This allows you to take advantage of the long flight, or a busy day at work. The included USB-C cord allows you to quickly charge them. You'll also receive an alert when your battery is about to run out.
Focal Bathys wireless bluetooth headphones
Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of powerful over-ear headphones that provide both active noise cancellation as well as Bluetooth playback. These headphones are designed to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or while on the move. They're slightly more expensive than other similar headphones, but their superior audio quality is the primary selling factor.
The Focal Bathys are packed in a compact attractive white box with a cloth finish. It comes with all the accessories you'll require. The headphone carry case folds flat, and comes with a case, USB-C-to-USB-C cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.
The battery's 600mAh capacity will last for a whole day of casual listening. They also have an audio input to use wired. Wirelessly, they are paired via Bluetooth. You can control their functions via an app (now called Focal and Naim in the same way as English Naim's network-aware products) or the dedicated button located on the left earcup which scrolls through ANC profiles like'silent','soft transparent,' and 'full.
The app lets you modify various settings, such as the brightness of the LEDs and the EQ presets (including a'music' profile which sounds brighter and neutraler than the other profiles) and the battery life. You can also choose the ANC level and mode as well as set an 'acoustic environments setting to alter the sensitivity to mimic the sound of headphones in a different acoustic room.
The Focal Bathys come with bass-rich, rich sound profiles that adds more punch, impact and warmth to your favourite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments are nudged back into the mix and can sound dull, while details like cymbals are slightly less prominent than you'd expect from other wiresless headphones (navigate to this site). They're also not as effective in active noise cancellation contrasted to other headphones with higher-end technology like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony headphones are renowned for their high-end quality and the WH1000XM5 is not an exception. It is at the top of the mainstream over ear headphone market and is in the luxury lifestyle segment where brands such as Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. The XM5s come with a high price tag but, if you can afford it, there are better over the ear wireless headphones on the market.
The XM5s come with features that help listeners and, in some instances, automate tasks they'd otherwise have to handle manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to close to high-res) is also included as well as support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. That allows for streaming of high-quality audio at bitrates higher than conventional Bluetooth. The built-in microphone is capable of making calls hands-free.
The XM5 headphones aren't different from the previous generation headphones from WH, in terms of noise cancellation. They're among the most efficient headphones for cutting out constant drones found in train and underground carriages. The XM5s also excel at isolating the listener from the hum of busy airports and streets.
The sound quality is also top-quality. The XM5s may not be as clear in the low frequencies as the XM4, however, there's a more pronounced sense of clarity and openness also. The bass on Rage Against The Machine’s Bullet in the Head shows off the Sonys power and clarity without affecting the rest of the music. In the same way, Massive Attack's grooving Angel showcases the XM5's ability to create precise and precise bass notes.
Battery life is also good, providing up to 30 hours of listening with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's turned off. That's more than enough for a weekend getaway or a few days of heavy usage.
The XM5s are not dust or water resistant. In fact, Sony recommends that you avoid sweating on them or wear them in the rain. This may not be a problem for Wiresless Headphones a lot of people, but it might cause a problem for anyone who spend a lot of their time at the gym or lives in a rainy city.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones that fit over the ear equipped with bluetooth wireless headphones technology and noise cancelling. They feature 40mm Apple-designed dynamic drivers with neutral audio profiles that concentrates on the highs and mids while not going too loud on either ends of the spectrum. This makes them ideal for both music and movies. They also offer better sound quality when compared with other headphones.
The headphones are light in design that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups are made of memory foam, are covered with woven fabric and sit comfortably over the ear they do not place pressure on the sides or forehead. Ear cups can be flipped and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges feature a strong but not too robust clamping force that ensures that the ear cups remain in place during listening sessions.
Toggle noise cancelling mode by pressing a small button on the top of the right earcup. There's also a pushable, Jog-dial-like button, akin to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can twist for volume control and press once twice or three times to playback control. Siri can be activated by pressing and holding the button. These buttons are placed well and easy to use, but I missed having an option to switch off the headphones when they're not in use. The headphones automatically switch to standby mode when removed from your ear or placed in their case. They only wake up when you put them on your head again.
Spatial audio is a cool feature. It uses the accelerometers, gyroscopes and iPads or iPhones to determine where you are moving. Then, it alters the position of the sounds to make them appear to originate from that particular location. This creates an immersive theater experience for films and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only downside is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to use it and you won't be able to enjoy it on other devices.
The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd feel a bit ripped off going into an Apple Store and spending $549 on them if I knew they'd be outdone in a year by the second-generation model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and improved battery life, making it hard to justify the extra cost for most people.