Why Headphones Is Relevant 2023
Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears to immerse you in the sound. They tend to be made for audiophiles, and feature features like active noise cancellation and control applications.
The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile app for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's latest addition to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation lineup. The headphones are updated with a new design and enhanced ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with a higher-end sound quality and better materials.
At just 250g, they are lightweight 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 reading a book. The headband is soft, and it features an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.
The WH-1000XM5 comes with a distinct sonic signature that is designed to satisfy both people who listen to music for pleasure as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, however it's not abrasive or overpowering. The earphones boast a huge and spacious soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This lets you listen to the subtleties of your music. The earcups also have touch controls, which are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to go to the next track, then back to listen to the previous one, and up and down to adjust the volume. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback whenever you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can turn on ambient mode by placing your hand on the right-ear cup. This allows you to hear the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones.
Other features that are useful include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of premium fabric and an USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is impressive. In our test we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC activated which is much better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.
The WH1000XM5 is a great microphone for making calls. There is no muffled or static sound in the background. Noise-canceling is also excellent, and these headphones are ideal for public transportation or the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It has a host of new features and performance. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits and optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup to provide an even more focused and immersive listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you manage your calls and music on any device compatible with it.
These headphones have a similar elegant and refined design as the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups as well as a silver sheen for the headband. The earcups are cushioned using memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium but never feel tight. The redesigned form and shape required a lot of time to perfect, and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard, even on my own cranium that is rotund.
At 10.8 ounces (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and slightly smaller. They're light enough for carrying in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place for long listening sessions. buy headphones can be folded using a sturdy hinge at the back.
The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio as well as a fast video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful gesture with a green flash to indicate rapid charge and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is active.
The B&W App offers the same controls that the buttons on the hardware provide including bass and treble adjustment actions button assignments, wear detection, cycling through ANC modes and more. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app displays album covers and track titles. Popular extras such as music presets and a soundscapes mode are missing, however.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones by Sennheiser and is designed to meet most demanding requirements. Its technical construction was designed to give stunning detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic audio you can get from open-back headphones.
The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, which means it requires a top-quality headphone amplifier to operate to the levels you want without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended as this will double the output power and improve the overall sound quality.
These headphones are designed to be used by professionals and feature a sturdy metal frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is minimalistic and they don't look fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their build are superb. They come with a carrying case, an additional audio cable and an adapter from 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.
The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with naturality, though they are a little less bass-y. This is because the open-back design provides a wide and out-of-head passive soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor drops and peaks. The region of the treble is linear which means you won't have issues with piercingsibilants or even the upper bite of the drum snare.
Despite not having a high-pitched bass, they still produce a punch and dynamism when required. They'll still be enjoyable for those who love listening to music with strong basslines, however they may not sound 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 are difficult to beat. They are straight and have a slight incline in the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by most listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce precise time gradations in vocals which is a major benefit.
The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their outstanding sonic performance and comfortable fitting make them a great option. The headphones are costly, but they will last you for a long time and will perform in any setting.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that will do the trick for anyone looking to pass the time or simply wants a low-cost pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic case that will protect them when you put them into a bag. The battery will last multiple long-haul flights. Their ANC is capable of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles from an airplane, although their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy.
The Life Q20's controls are simple to navigate and well-marked. On the left ear cup, you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones, as well as for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup, you'll find controls for playback of media which include a multi-function button that lets you activate your phone's voice assistant and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in mic can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and deep listening experience, thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that offer certified Hi-Res Audio. These headphones have a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancellation is designed to block out a broad range of mid- and low-frequency sound.
Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a pity. This means that you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's lower latency when you're gaming on your PC.
The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are soft enough to be worn for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adjust to your individual head shape. You can also listen to your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included for charging the battery.