How To Choose The Right Headphones Online

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears and allow you to fully immerse in sound. They tend to be tuned for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and headphones Sennheiser control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless speaker with ANC and a mobile application for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support hi-res audio for wired listening through USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 earphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancellation line-up. The headphones feature a brand new design and have improved ANC. They also have many of the same features, but they have higher-end sound quality and better materials.

At only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband is supple, and it has a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

With an audio quality that is able to please those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass but is not overpowering or harsh. The earphones have a large and spacious soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This allows you to be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe forward to play the next track, then back to hear the previous one, and up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices simultaneously and thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can also turn on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup, which allows you to be aware of what's happening around you, without taking off the headphones.

They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also available, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers operating Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is exceptional. In our most basic test we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC turned on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 is a great mic for voice calls. There's 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 significant upgrade from its predecessor, delivering top-quality performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming and optimized active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, that are custom-designed and angled in each earcup, give you a more deep and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide excellent call clarity even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone lets you manage your calls and music using any compatible device.

Like the PX7's original design These headphones have sleek and elegant with accent rings on each earcup, and a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium, yet never feel tight. The new design and shape was perfected over many months, and delivers an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't press hard on my own rotund skull.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as slightly smaller. They're light enough to carry in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and they'll stay comfortable in your hand during long listens. The headband can be folded up by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for both high-resolution audio and fast video sync. You can play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to signal rapid charging and solid blue to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W app offers the same controls as the hardware onboard buttons including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music on your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets and a soundscapes mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones Sennheiser by Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet the highest demands. Its technical construction was optimized to achieve stunning detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic sound you'll ever experience with an open-back pair of headphones.

The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier will be needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which can increase the output and enhance the quality of sound.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mixture of leather and plastic padding. The design is minimalist and they're not fancy, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are superb. They come with a carry case, an extra audio cable and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are light in bass. The open-back design results in a wide out-of-head soundstage. The treble quality is excellent with minor peaks and drops. The treble region is also extremely smooth, meaning you'll not have issues piercing sibilants and the upper sound of a snare drum.

They can still deliver impact, dynamism and impact when needed despite the lack of a booming low-end. They'll still be enjoyable for those who like listening to rock music with strong basslines, however they may not sound as fun as some of the competing models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are linear with a slight scoop on the upper mids, which won't be noticed by the majority of listeners. They can also reproduce fine time gradations which is a nice benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of exceptional headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fitting make them a great choice. They're costly however you're buying headphones for ipad that will last for years to be used and perform well in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a great pair of headphones for those who wants to relax or simply need an affordable pair of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic case which protects them when you put them in a bag. Their battery can last for a long time on long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering seatmates and engine rumbles when on a plane, though their audio profile is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left ear cup there are buttons to power up and pair the headphones and for turning off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find media playback controls. This includes a multi-function button that activates the phone's voice assistant and also turns on Anker BassUp (more about it later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make hands-free calls with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver a rich and immersive listening experience, thanks to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble range that extends up to 40 kHz, these headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and detail, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wider range of low and mid-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's lower latency when you're gaming on your PC.

In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without creating discomfort. The ear cups also rotate to adapt to the shape of your head. You can also listen to your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included to charge the battery.