Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?
Noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend to anyone who enjoys listening whether at work or in the train. Which are the best, though?
Sony's flagship headphones are a great value. They feature a brand new design and a superior audio quality and also enticing features. From the powerful chorus to Sinead's trembling bridge, these headphones offer amazing clarity and authenticity.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony is a master at noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are the most advanced version of the series. This model is a fantastic pair of headphones, specifically for those who commute or are traveling. They're comfortable, have multipoint tech to connect to two devices simultaneously and offer the best ANC Sony has ever created. They're also lightweight and offer about 27 hours of playback time without charging, which is enough to last a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.
The WH-1000XM5s have an elegant minimalist design and are made from recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS). The branding is minimal. There's noise cancelling wireless headphones on every hinge of the earcup. The earcups and headband are cushioned with plush, soft material that's comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted so you can find the perfect fit for you.
Contrary to previous models that focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves at high frequency to cancel out ambient noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps reduce cabin and engine noises during flights, for instance. The XM5s comes with another processing unit to increase noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust your listening environment in accordance with the pressure of the air.
The WH-1000XM5s also features a voice assistant that is simple to use, and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and more. You can also pair the XM5s to other Sony audio products to enable multi-room music playback and stereo separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming via Sony's LDAC codec, but don't support the aptX or aptX HD.
2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones for more than 50 years. You can expect premium sound quality as well as a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest over-ears, named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped the design to remove some of the trademark elements that gave the original models the look of an aviator headset and also improved their active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. These headphones are rated to last 60 hours with ANC on which is twice the battery life of a lot of competitors.
They're also much more portable than the previous model since they fold down and are much smaller overall. The ear pads and the headband are made of synthetic PU leather, which feels comfortable on my head even when I wear it throughout the day. There's not a lot of clamping force that keeps them in place and they'll be comfortable on flights and even during longer workouts.
The sound is well-balanced and clear There are a few peaking in the low-mid and high-mid, which can cause slight muddying in the mixes. The bass is a little overemphasized, which adds a little energy and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a huge deal however some listeners might be annoyed. The high-mid is some uneven balance which pushes instruments and vocals towards the front of the mix however at the expense of bringing out sibilants into certain songs.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is equipped with all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a translucent mode which blends outside sounds into your music to improve awareness, and mobile app support for custom and preset EQ options. You can also use a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can connect to your device using SBC, AAC HD, and aptX Adaptive codes, and they can cut down the latency by up to a quarter second.
3. B&W PX7 S2
The original PX7s were a top pick on many lists of the best Bluetooth headsets, thanks to their excellent ANC and sound quality. The PX7s, as with many wireless headphones, were getting old and needed a refresh. Hence the PX7S2. B&W not only changed the design, but also made improvements to ANC and added features for voice calling.
The first thing you will notice when you open the box and pick up the PX7 S2 is how light they are. This makes them very comfortable for long listening sessions. The overall design is the same as the previous model, including the sleek oval aluminum earcup top-plate, the hook-like accent on the headband, which glides rather than clicks when you expand it, and the actual physical buttons. The earcups, however are smaller, and the headband isn't as substantial.
The software from B&W lets you tweak EQ settings for treble and bass however, you don't have as much control over the mix between these two elements as you would on higher-priced headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the environmental modes and can be adjusted in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate your device's voice assistant.
The PX7 S2 sounds great for all musical styles, and has a a soundstage that offers plenty of space and excellent separation between the various sound elements. It shines particularly on pieces featuring acoustic instruments like Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with acoustic instrumental tones that give the feeling of air. It's also able to handle heavier songs and has the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's fusion of garage and death-n'-roll, Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating a wall of sound while allowing to be able to discern the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's sharp growl.
4. Bose QuietComfort 35
Bose was one of the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. Although they held an advantage over the market for many years however, they are now competing against newer headphones that offer more features and better sound quality. However, the QuietComfort 35 is still a great option for anyone looking to hear their music or podcasts without being disturbed by continuous rumbles and hums.
They're comfortable to wear and feature a an excellently balanced default sound profile. The ANC is excellent at eliminating background noise. However it tends to focus on lower frequencies more than other headphones, such as the Sony WH1000XM5.
If you're looking for a pair that can be used to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, the QC35s have an amazing passive noise cancellation feature that cuts down on ambient sounds while ensuring you are completely insulated from the sounds of the world around you. The QC35s permit you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" which means you can listen to music with one set of headphones while answering an incoming call on the other.
The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the quality of sound is reduced and the battery life isn't as great as with wireless models.
The QC35s are a Bose product, which may not appeal to all. Other manufacturers offer sleeker designs. However, you can add a touch of personalization by purchasing a decal-covered cover-up from companies such as SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to alter the color of the earcups as well as the headbands, just like the QC25 model from earlier.
5. Sony WH-1000XM3
Sony's WH1000XM3 are the most effective wireless headphones with active noise cancellation you can buy right now. They're a bit more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they are able to block out more ambient noise and feel much more durable. They also have a superior companion app that offers numerous sound-related features that can be customized.
The XM3's excellent audio quality is among the main reasons why they're popular and they've been improved since their introduction to provide the best performance. They're equipped with a little more clarity in the frequency spectrum. The noise cancellation is better at all levels of volume. They also have improved features like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a brand new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts automatically how much external sound is let in based on where you are and what you're doing.
They're not without their own issues, though. The midrange can sound recessed and the treble can sometimes be too loud. They also tend to boost bass too much in some tracks, which can make them sound overly full and heavy. You can fix this in the Sony app or in the headphone settings.
The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, specifically for frequent travelers and commuters. They are more comfortable, feel and look premium, and are more durable in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery and one of the top noise cancellation features available. They're also more flexible and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise cancellation. They're also not waterproof, which is a problem for some people.