Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They are generally designed for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation line-up. The headphones feature a brand new design and enhanced ANC. They also have many of the same features, but with a higher-end sound quality and better materials.

At just 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband has a friction-rod design, similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.

With an audio quality that is able to please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but it isn't excessively loud or harsh. They have a large and spacious soundstage that has good instrument separation, which allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups come with control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe forward to go to the next track, back to hear the previous one and then up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones can be connected to two devices at once and will automatically stop playback when you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can also activate ambient mode by resting your palm on the right earcup that lets you be aware of what's happening around you without taking off the headphones.

Other features that are useful include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of top quality fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is superb. In our most basic test we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for calls is exceptional, and there's no muffled or static-y sounding background. The noise cancellation is top-notch and they're a perfect choice for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 provides a significant improvement over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and performance. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 comes with premium performance and features, including 24-bit wireless streaming with active noise cancellation that is optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup to create an even more focused and deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls, even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote lets you control calls and music from any compatible device.

The headphones have a elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, as well as a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium, yet never feel tight. The new form and shape was perfected over many months and offers a comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't force too hard on my skull, which is a rotund one.

At 10.8 pounds (or headphones for Tv 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are a touch thinner. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a bag or backpack and remain in place for long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband allows you to fold them up for easy transport in the protective case.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for high-resolution audio and tight video sync. You can play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful gesture, flashing green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W app has the same controls as the onboard buttons in the hardware - bass and treble adjustment and assigning action buttons wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and much more. When you play music on your iphone headphone, the app displays album cover and track titles. The most popular extras like music presets, soundscapes and music mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones and was designed to meet the most demanding expectations. Its technical construction has been optimized to provide a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic sound you can get from open-back headphones.

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, which means a quality headphone amplifier is required to drive it at desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which can double the output and improve the sound quality.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is rather minimalist and doesn't appear like an expensive pair of headphones, however they feel luxurious in the hands and are built well. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable, and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, though they are a bit light on bass. This is because the open-back design provides a wide and out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble quality is excellent with minor drops and peaks. The treble region is also extremely smooth, meaning you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and the upper sound of the drum snare.

Even with the absence of high-pitched bass, they still deliver impact and dynamism when it is needed. They'll still be a great choice for those who love listening to music with powerful basslines, but they may not be as enjoyable as some of the other models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones for tv (websites) are difficult to beat. They are very linear, with a slight scoop in the upper mids which will not be noticed by most listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals, which is a big benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of exceptional headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice because of their outstanding sound quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are expensive but they'll last for years and perform well in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great set of headphones for anyone looking to pass the time or just want an affordable set of headphones that block out noise. The headphones come with a simple bag that will protect them when you throw them into the bag. Their battery can last multiple long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles when on the plane, but their audio profile is a little warmer and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons for pairing and powering 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 that include a multi-function switch which lets you turn on the voice assistant on your phone and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in microphone can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone offers a deep, immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. The headphones feature an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling technology is specifically designed to block out a variety of low- and mid-frequency sound.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means you won't be in a position to benefit from the superior codec's lower latency while gaming on your PC.

In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam ear cups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without creating discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of rotating and adjust to the unique shape of your head, so you can get a snug fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.