Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds encapsulate your ears completely and allow larger drivers to produce deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with better audio and features, including numerous ANC modes and a huge battery life.
1. copyright WH-1000XM4 Wireless
copyright has upgraded an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancellation works better than ever before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than many competitors.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and copyright LDAC is also compatible with. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between the two when required. This feature can be enabled through the copyright Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on a panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or listen to media. copyright has also added a feature that can make voices more precise and clear during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.
The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones that we have ever test. They're comfortable and well-made. They also have a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used as a passive device by using a TRS cable. This is great for traveling or conserving power.
The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible and a companion app to tweak the audio quality. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, they support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it improves the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the latest version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that was the basis of its predecessor's success but it also includes the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.
These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband is made from plastic, yet it is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you retract or extend the earcups. The cups feature soft, cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and don't apply pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise-canceling works even when they are not on your head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are dull and lack the details that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The higher registers tend to be more boosted which is great for most music, but could be a problem for delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent, but it lacks punch.
One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is a standard in this price range and is something Bose's competitors have offered for a long time. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.
You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the sound and voice settings.
The QC45s have four microphones built-in to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The call quality is generally excellent however, the headphones don't have the nifty capability to noise cancelling headphones wireless muffle your voice during playback which is something other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s came out in February 2022 added manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wired and wireless listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We had more than 40 hours of playback on average on a single charge. If you need to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.
They offer a good amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price that include support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select the source device each time you need to listen). They also have a built-in mic that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. This isn't as impressive a result as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still quite effective.
In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys were a good overall performer with an overall frequency response that is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just minor deviations in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds plenty of boom to the mix, however, it can make instruments and vocals such as cymbals sound veiled.
You can wear them wherever without worrying that others will listen to your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording via Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the class. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls and massive battery life.
A lot of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to make a pair that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them while on the move. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and copyright. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on AirPods.
The most notable difference is the massive battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. That's easily double what most of the competitors can provide and enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids as well as the treble. This means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize and can cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, like the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound sizzled, not full. There's also not much depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s are comfortable and shouldn't put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can 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.