Best Over-Ear Headphones Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to provide greater bass and larger soundstages. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation. The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life in an elegant and distinctive design. 1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Sony has enhanced an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are less heavy, more durable and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass heavy). They also have an app for audio customization. They have improved their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and extending the battery life. These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between the two when needed. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well. The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or listen to media. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise during calls which is evident and a nice feature. Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they are some of the top wireless headphones we've ever tried. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used as a passive device with the TRS cable. This is great for travel or preserving power. The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more ambient sound. The B&Ws feature a more flexible EQ and an app companion to adjust the audio quality. The B&Ws are better built and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it enhances the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files. 2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset that became a staple for commuters and passengers around the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which made its predecessor so successful, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation. These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made of plastic, and has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at the pivot points, and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups have soft, cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be paired with a sweater or coat as they work even when not on your head. Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the detail that more expensive headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is acceptable for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent, but it lacks punch. One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is a standard feature in this price range and is something that Bose's competitors have long offered. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides 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 such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust the volume and voice assistant settings. The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice while on the phone. The call quality is generally very good but the headphones don't have the nifty ability to mute your voice during playback, which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 added manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade. 3. Focal Bathys Wireless Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are renowned for their style and comfort, which let listeners know that they're listening to something special. Their first venture into wireless noise cancelling headphones, the Bathys, are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound great. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wireless and wired listening. Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got a little more out of them, with over 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you are required to charge the headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will go red. They come with a wide range of features for headphones of this price with support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select the source device each time you would like to listen). They also have a built-in mic that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to manage your music and make calls. Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still effective. In our tests of headphone sound quality in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys did well overall, with a the frequency response which generally corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with just slight differences in the mids and bass. The Bathys are bassy sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem unreal. You can wear them anywhere without fearing that other people will listen to your music. Their mic has passable recording quality through Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to the treble range. 4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The latest model is improved over the previous model with modern design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life. over-ear wireless headphones of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s lay flat and aren't foldable however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe on the go. They also follow the trend of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, like those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. They work with both Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio. The most significant difference is the massive battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than double the amount of the competitors and sufficient to go on a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet. Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as the top strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and treble. This means that orchestral tracks sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue when songs have heavy bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the bass. The Momentum 4s should not place pressure on your neck or ear. However they can be fidgety when wearing them in the house or during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be turned off manually using the power button.
over-ear wireless headphones
