Best Over-Ear Headphones Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds encapsulate the ears completely. They also have larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a wider soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology. The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been upgraded with improved audio and numerous ANC modes, and a long battery life. 1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Sony has enhanced an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed and have a more balanced audio profile (though they are bass heavy). They also include an app to adjust the sound. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer battery life than many competitors. These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. over ear wireless headphones -1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between them as required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly. The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to tapping on a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to music. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices more clear and precise during calls. This is an obvious and pleasant addition. Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they are some of the top wireless headphones we've tested. They are comfortable and well-made. They also have a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used passively by using an TRS cable. This is perfect to travel with or for storing energy. The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible and an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. But the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless files. 2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most current version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and passengers across the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and longer battery life. These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, made of plastic, has a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. They also have the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that can be worn over your ears without putting pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. You can wear them while wearing a coat or sweater as the noise-canceling works even when they're not on your head. Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the details that more expensive headphones may be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted, which is fine for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good, but is lacking the punch. One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback when you remove the headset. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for several years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have a manual control. Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's sound and voice assistant settings. The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice when on the phone. The headphones have good call quality, however they don't allow you to mute the voice during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: As of February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s provided manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcome improvement. 3. Focal Bathys Wireless Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something unique. Their first foray into wireless headphones that block noise the Bathys, are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound amazing. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening. The Bathys come with a great battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more out of them, with over 40 hours on average out of one charge. If you need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that turns red when the headphone has to be charged. For headphones at this price, they have a lot of features. They support multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You must select your device source by hand each time you listen.) The headphones have built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones feature an easy to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls. Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it is still effective. In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys were a good overall performer with an overall frequency response that corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with just slight differences in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem unreal. They also have very good leakage resistance, which means you can wear them out in public without worrying about people listening to your music. Their mic is passable for recording via Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble and the treble. 4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout into the category. The latest pair is an improvement on the previous model, featuring more sleek design, better gesture control and an enormous battery life. The improvements are subtle, but add up to an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lie flat and don't fold however they come with a nice hardshell case to keep them safe when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones of recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They work with both Apple iPhones and Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio. The most notable difference is the massive battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than double the amount of the competitors and sufficient to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet. Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded however it can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full, and there's no real feeling of depth in the lows. The Momentum 4s are comfy and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make a lot of head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random and can cause distraction when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be manually switched off by pressing the power button.
over ear wireless headphones
