The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones completely enclose your ears, and block out any sound from outside. Choose headphones that feature active noise cancellation and a battery that can last at 20 hours when audio playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature excellent ANC as well as a handy app, and easy on-ear controls. The default sound profile provides punch and thump, but instruments and vocals can be moved into the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is an excellent pair of headphones for people who love music and want the most wireless headset. They're light and comfortable with a carrying case and fold flat for easy storage in your bag. The controls on the touch are intuitive and easy to use, and the battery can last for 30 hours with no ANC. They even include an auto-pause feature that shuts off your headphones when they are removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH1000XM5 can be used with Sony Headphones Connect, which includes a range of features that can be utilized to customize the audio experience. The app can be used to monitor your location and alter ambient sound features based on the environment you are in. The microphone can also be built in for hands-free calling. The Sony WH1000XM5 can be used to play music using Bluetooth or via an electrical connection via the cable included. They are compatible with aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs as well as adaptive codecs for high-quality audio via Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4 The WH-1000XM5 is light and comfortable with well-padded headbands and ear cups. These headphones are comfortable to wear and are suitable for extended periods. They're also great for longer flights and commutes. They are noise cancelling headphones that can cut down background noise without compromising clarity or detail. jbl headphones wireless have a good amount of bass, particularly for closed-back headphones. They also offer an impressive soundstage and clear separation between instruments and vocals.
The low latency is a major benefit. The lag is so small that it's almost imperceptible and they can be used for casual gaming. They're not the best for gaming in a competitive manner, but they're great for those who wish to utilize them for entertainment or for making calls hands-free.
Sony is committed to incorporating intelligent features into its products, and the WH1000XM5 is no different. The active noise cancellation was one of the best that I've ever used, and they come with an array of clever features that will enhance your listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to a near-hi-res format. They're compatible with Sony's LDAC technology, which streams music with higher bitrates over Bluetooth.
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Since the launch of the first-generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have frequently included on top lists of wireless headsets and putting them in the same bracket as the likes Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest version that takes the first generation of headphones to the next level with a boost in ANC performance and a fresh appearance.
The 40mm bio-cellulose drivers in the earcups are angled so that they directly hit your eardrums. This gives you an experience with more intimacy unlike other closed-back headphones. The PX7 S2 is a perfect example of this bold claim. Vocals cut through clearly, and bass is deep and rumbly when it's needed to be.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well when it comes to voice calls, with clear and crisp sound that doesn't muddle your own voice. The PX7 S2 is also able to provide rapid charging, which can get you back to full capacity in less than two hours. They are also compatible with high-resolution music thanks to aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc that allow the playback of 24-bit audio.
For most listeners the most important change is the improvement in noise cancellation and audio performance. In our tests the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated aircraft cabin noise with impressive efficiency, and they excelled when we performed Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent insight into the dynamic shifts between the solo voice, wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
Alongside improved ANC Alongside improved ANC, the PX7 S2s have a number of other features that make them competitive with other top-rated noise-canceling headphones. They're completely wireless and feature Bluetooth multipoint support, so you can pair them with two devices at once. They also come with a built in microphone which allows hands-free calls with your phone's assistant. The construction is durable and high-end, so they should last you for many years.
They're not perfect, of course. The clamp force of our test models were slightly higher than we would have liked, and they didn't have as many app features as other options. However, these aren't major concerns. The PX7 S2s is an excellent wireless headset that is able to compete with other models in its class. It's hard to imagine a competitor beating them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who value high fidelity and are looking for a premium wireless noise-canceling headset The Focal Bathys are hard to beat. They're the French audio company's very first ANC headphones to use Bluetooth and provide incredible audio quality in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to an device via USB for true hi-fi listening with up to 24 bits/192kHz (the headphones are also capable of passively blocking external audio with its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are gorgeous with their black glossy finish and swooping curves reminiscent of Focal's premium open-back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. The Bathys are built with top-quality materials like magnesium and aluminum, which make them feel sturdy and comfortable. They are also worth the price.
The Bathys Bluetooth headphones provide an impressive, clear sound signature. They easily outperform consumer ANC devices of similar price like the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode lets them be pushed further, making them a great option for those who love hifi.
The Focal &Naim app lets users to alter the playback controls of the headphone and Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app lets users choose between soft and silent intensities for ANC. They can also alter the brightness of the LEDs that are on the earcups of the headphones, as well as alter the EQ settings. The app is bare but has enough features to be worth the cost.
The only issue is that the active noise cancellation doesn't live up to the competition. The headphone doesn't eliminate all ambient noise as well as the highly rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy is also a bit off with a muffled high to mid range that blocks the instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys aren't the most portable headphones. They are not suitable for travel due to their earcups don't fold and they are heavier than other models. They're ideal for an environment at home where they can be used for extended listening sessions or as a reference headphone for sound engineering purposes. Despite their size and bulk they are Bathys are extremely comfortable to wear for prolonged durations of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N headset is a excellent pair of wireless over-ear headsets for the price. The noise cancelling technology is fantastic and does a great deal to reduce the background noise. They are perfect for commuters and travelers. Their matte finish and robust construction gives them a hint of luxury.
They have a similar design to Sony's newer 1000X and XB910N headphones. They have a slim, plastic headband, with the standard ear cups hinges. They are light and comfortable, however they feel a bit too tight for my taste. In the box, they have a USB-C port for charging, an 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth, which means you can connect to two devices simultaneously should you wish to.
In my tests, the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did a fantastic job of reducing ambient sound. There were only a few blips when walking through Waterloo Station and London Victoria. They weren't sound-silencers that destroyed every sound in the vicinity however, they struggled with low-frequency noises like the rumbling engine noise of buses and trains.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection worked smoothly and displayed a minimal harmonic distortion. I tested a range of genres and found that they were able to handle the intricate interplay among instruments well. It did an excellent job of taming the bass in rock tracks and keeping the mix in focus.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows you to customize the CH720N's multipoint connection and ANC settings according to your preferences. You can also choose from a range of audio presets. You can also enable DSEE through the app, which improves the quality of sound and boosts compression of audio files.
The WH-CH720N is a good value for PS130. It's not equipped with many of Sony's most popular features (such as Speak-toChat and Quick Attention) but it has a lot of amazing features. You can access 360 Reality Audio and a variety of smart controls and the aforementioned DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing that is missing is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support which I believe would have been a great inclusion.