Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music anywhere, without the necessity of running an audio cable from your device. These headphones are great for [empty] use in public transport, in the office or at home.
Wireless over-ear headphones may have a premium design and exceptional noise cancellation. They are usually packaged in a sleek case.
Soundcore Q30
A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018 The new over-ears are more attractive, feel more durable, and are generally more polished. The hinges are stronger, and the soft ear cups have been slightly larger. They're still made of plastic, but they're more polished. You can even swap the 3.5mm cable for a high-quality USB-C version so that you can use them with portable Hi-Fi systems as well as stationary Hi-Res players. They also come with two mics built-in that worked flawlessly in our tests using FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app offers a vast variety of EQ presets that can be adjusted and saved to allow you to listen to podcasts and music in the style you prefer. The Soundcore app is simple to use and sets these headphones apart.
The Q30's 40mm speaker effectively block almost all ambient sound when ANC is enabled. This results in an extremely enjoyable listening experience. The Q30's sound quality is natural, but a little on the treble. Some may find the bass response lacking (we got better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer). But, you can fix this by using the Soundcore app, since there's an eight-band equalizer to allow you to tweak.
The left ear cup has the power button as well as a pairing button and an USB-C charging port. The right earcup is equipped with buttons for play/pause, volume up/down and volume up/down. Double-clicking on these controls allows you to skip tracks or play previous ones. You can also make use of voice commands to instruct them to change modes or set alarms. The right earcup can be covered with your hands to activate ambient mode to allow you to hear what's happening around you without removing the headphones.
The battery life of these headphones is great and the battery life is also excellent. In our tests with ANC switched on, the Q30 lasted nearly an hour longer than its competitors. This leaves plenty of time to prepare for a long flight or a day at the office. They can be easily recharged by using the USB-C cable that comes with them and you'll get warnings when they're about to run empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys wireless headphoens (http://Riuh-bdphq.cdn.imgeng.in/) are a set of high-quality bt headphones wireless for over-ear use that feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. These headphones are made to be high-end, premium headphones that can be used at home or on the move. They're a little more expensive than similar headphones, but their superior audio quality is the primary selling point.
The Focal Bathys are packaged in a compact attractive white box with a textured finish. It comes with everything 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 capacity is 600mAh, which can last a whole day of casual listening. They also include an audio input so that you can make use of wired. Wirelessly, they're connected via Bluetooth. You can control their functions via an app (now called Focal and Naim in keeping with English Naim's products that are network-aware) or the dedicated button located on the left earcup, which scrolls through ANC profiles like'silent','soft transparent,' and 'full.
Using the app allows you to alter various settings, including the LED brightness as well as EQ presets that include a "music profile' that sounds more neutral and brighter than the other ones and their battery duration. You can also choose the ANC level and mode and setting an 'acoustic settings that adjusts the sensitivity in order to simulate the sound of the headphones in a different room.
The Focal Bathys come with an incredibly bass-rich profile that gives more warmth, punch and impact to your favourite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments can be muted, while other details like cymbals might be less prominent than other headphones. The headphones are also less effective at active noise cancellation when compared with other headphones that feature more advanced technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has a stellar reputation for its headphones and the WH-1000XM5 headphones are no exception. It is at the top of the'mainstream' over ear headphone market and also falls within the luxury lifestyle segment where brands such as Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. This means that the XM5s have a premium price tag but, if you can afford it, there are better wireless over-ear headphones available.
The XM5s come with a variety of features that simplify the lives of the listener and automate some tasks that they would need to perform manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to near-high resolution) is included and also support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. This lets high-quality audio be streamed with bitrates that are higher than Bluetooth. The built-in microphone is capable of making calls hands-free.
Like the previous generation of WH headphones, the XM5s excel at noise cancellation. They are among the best at cutting down on the constant drones that are heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s also excel at isolating the listener from the hum of airports and busy streets.
The sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s aren't as detailed in the low frequencies as the XM4, but there's a greater sense of clarity and realism, too. For instance, the bass on Rage Against The Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys muscles with real force and definition, without reducing the other elements. Similar to Massive Attack's brooding Angel shows off the XM5s ability to create accurate and precise bass notes.
Battery life is also very good, with up to 30 hours of audio with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's off. This is enough to last a weekend getaway or several days of heavy usage.
The only issue is that the XM5s do not have any dust or water resistance protection. In fact, Sony recommends that you don't sweat into them or wear them in the rain. This might not be a problem for many people, but it might cause a problem for anyone considering the XM5s who spend a lot of their time in the gym or lives in a city that is rainy.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones over-ear with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple created dynamic drivers measuring 40mm with a neutral audio profile that focuses on mids and highs without going too loud. They are great for movies and music. They also offer better sound quality when compared with other headphones.
The headphones are light in construction that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups, which are made of memory foam, are covered with woven fabric, and fit comfortably over the ears they do not place pressure on the sides or the forehead. The earcups can also tilt and rotate to accommodate different head phone wireless shapes. The spring-loaded hinges provide an incredibly firm, yet not too strong clamping force that ensures the ear cups stay in place during listening sessions.
A small button located on the top of the right earcup can be used to toggle noise cancellation modes. There's also a pushable, Jog-dial-like button, akin to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can turn to adjust the volume and press once, twice or thrice to playback control. Pressing and holding the button triggers Siri. The buttons are easy to use and well-placed however, I would like to see a power button that would shut off the headphones when they are not in use. The headphones go into standby mode when removed from your ears or when they are put in their case. They will come back to life when you place them on your head.
Another feature that is quite cool is spatial audio, which utilizes the gyroscopes and accelerometers in the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to figure out where you're moving, then repositions sounds to create the illusion that they're coming from those places. This creates a cinema-like experience with movies and videos that were recorded in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 or 7.1. The only downside is that spatial audio requires an iOS device for use and it won't allow you to enjoy it on other devices.
The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd feel somewhat smug walking into an Apple Store and spending $549 on them if I knew they'd be outdone in a year by the new model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and better battery performance, making it difficult to justify the expense for most people.
Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music anywhere, without the necessity of running an audio cable from your device. These headphones are great for [empty] use in public transport, in the office or at home.Wireless over-ear headphones may have a premium design and exceptional noise cancellation. They are usually packaged in a sleek case.
Soundcore Q30
A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018 The new over-ears are more attractive, feel more durable, and are generally more polished. The hinges are stronger, and the soft ear cups have been slightly larger. They're still made of plastic, but they're more polished. You can even swap the 3.5mm cable for a high-quality USB-C version so that you can use them with portable Hi-Fi systems as well as stationary Hi-Res players. They also come with two mics built-in that worked flawlessly in our tests using FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app offers a vast variety of EQ presets that can be adjusted and saved to allow you to listen to podcasts and music in the style you prefer. The Soundcore app is simple to use and sets these headphones apart.
The Q30's 40mm speaker effectively block almost all ambient sound when ANC is enabled. This results in an extremely enjoyable listening experience. The Q30's sound quality is natural, but a little on the treble. Some may find the bass response lacking (we got better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer). But, you can fix this by using the Soundcore app, since there's an eight-band equalizer to allow you to tweak.
The left ear cup has the power button as well as a pairing button and an USB-C charging port. The right earcup is equipped with buttons for play/pause, volume up/down and volume up/down. Double-clicking on these controls allows you to skip tracks or play previous ones. You can also make use of voice commands to instruct them to change modes or set alarms. The right earcup can be covered with your hands to activate ambient mode to allow you to hear what's happening around you without removing the headphones.
The battery life of these headphones is great and the battery life is also excellent. In our tests with ANC switched on, the Q30 lasted nearly an hour longer than its competitors. This leaves plenty of time to prepare for a long flight or a day at the office. They can be easily recharged by using the USB-C cable that comes with them and you'll get warnings when they're about to run empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys wireless headphoens (http://Riuh-bdphq.cdn.imgeng.in/) are a set of high-quality bt headphones wireless for over-ear use that feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. These headphones are made to be high-end, premium headphones that can be used at home or on the move. They're a little more expensive than similar headphones, but their superior audio quality is the primary selling point.
The Focal Bathys are packaged in a compact attractive white box with a textured finish. It comes with everything 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 capacity is 600mAh, which can last a whole day of casual listening. They also include an audio input so that you can make use of wired. Wirelessly, they're connected via Bluetooth. You can control their functions via an app (now called Focal and Naim in keeping with English Naim's products that are network-aware) or the dedicated button located on the left earcup, which scrolls through ANC profiles like'silent','soft transparent,' and 'full.
Using the app allows you to alter various settings, including the LED brightness as well as EQ presets that include a "music profile' that sounds more neutral and brighter than the other ones and their battery duration. You can also choose the ANC level and mode and setting an 'acoustic settings that adjusts the sensitivity in order to simulate the sound of the headphones in a different room.
The Focal Bathys come with an incredibly bass-rich profile that gives more warmth, punch and impact to your favourite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments can be muted, while other details like cymbals might be less prominent than other headphones. The headphones are also less effective at active noise cancellation when compared with other headphones that feature more advanced technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has a stellar reputation for its headphones and the WH-1000XM5 headphones are no exception. It is at the top of the'mainstream' over ear headphone market and also falls within the luxury lifestyle segment where brands such as Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. This means that the XM5s have a premium price tag but, if you can afford it, there are better wireless over-ear headphones available.
The XM5s come with a variety of features that simplify the lives of the listener and automate some tasks that they would need to perform manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to near-high resolution) is included and also support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. This lets high-quality audio be streamed with bitrates that are higher than Bluetooth. The built-in microphone is capable of making calls hands-free.
Like the previous generation of WH headphones, the XM5s excel at noise cancellation. They are among the best at cutting down on the constant drones that are heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s also excel at isolating the listener from the hum of airports and busy streets.
The sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s aren't as detailed in the low frequencies as the XM4, but there's a greater sense of clarity and realism, too. For instance, the bass on Rage Against The Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys muscles with real force and definition, without reducing the other elements. Similar to Massive Attack's brooding Angel shows off the XM5s ability to create accurate and precise bass notes.
Battery life is also very good, with up to 30 hours of audio with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's off. This is enough to last a weekend getaway or several days of heavy usage.
The only issue is that the XM5s do not have any dust or water resistance protection. In fact, Sony recommends that you don't sweat into them or wear them in the rain. This might not be a problem for many people, but it might cause a problem for anyone considering the XM5s who spend a lot of their time in the gym or lives in a city that is rainy.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones over-ear with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple created dynamic drivers measuring 40mm with a neutral audio profile that focuses on mids and highs without going too loud. They are great for movies and music. They also offer better sound quality when compared with other headphones.
The headphones are light in construction that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups, which are made of memory foam, are covered with woven fabric, and fit comfortably over the ears they do not place pressure on the sides or the forehead. The earcups can also tilt and rotate to accommodate different head phone wireless shapes. The spring-loaded hinges provide an incredibly firm, yet not too strong clamping force that ensures the ear cups stay in place during listening sessions.
A small button located on the top of the right earcup can be used to toggle noise cancellation modes. There's also a pushable, Jog-dial-like button, akin to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can turn to adjust the volume and press once, twice or thrice to playback control. Pressing and holding the button triggers Siri. The buttons are easy to use and well-placed however, I would like to see a power button that would shut off the headphones when they are not in use. The headphones go into standby mode when removed from your ears or when they are put in their case. They will come back to life when you place them on your head.
Another feature that is quite cool is spatial audio, which utilizes the gyroscopes and accelerometers in the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to figure out where you're moving, then repositions sounds to create the illusion that they're coming from those places. This creates a cinema-like experience with movies and videos that were recorded in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 or 7.1. The only downside is that spatial audio requires an iOS device for use and it won't allow you to enjoy it on other devices.
The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd feel somewhat smug walking into an Apple Store and spending $549 on them if I knew they'd be outdone in a year by the new model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and better battery performance, making it difficult to justify the expense for most people.