The Reasons Headphones Could Be Your Next Big Obsession

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears and allow you to fully immerse in the sound. They are typically tuned for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control apps.

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

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones jbl from Sony are the latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation line-up. The headphones are updated with a new design and have improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but they have higher-end sound quality and better materials.

They're extremely light for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250g. They're extremely comfortable to wear, no matter if you're reading or listening to an audiobook. The headband is supple, and it features an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

With an audio quality that can satisfy people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but not too loud or harsh. They have a large and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear subtleties in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track, backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback when you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right-ear cup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones for running.

They can also be connected with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as is high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of premium fabric and a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is superb. In our test we were able achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC switched on, which is better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 has a great mic for voice calls. There's no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise cancellation is also great, and these headphones are great for public transportation or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and performance. It features wireless streaming with 24-bit and optimized active noise cancellation, and clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully angled inside each earcup to provide a more focused, deep listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide excellent call clarity even in noisy environments. A built-in microphone and remote lets you control calls and music on any compatible device.

As with the PX7's original design These headphones have elegant and refined with accent rings around each earcup as well as an elegant silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly but not too tight on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form took many months to perfect, delivering an easy clamping force that doesn't push too hard, even on my own cranium that is rotund.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. They're light enough to fit in your bag or backpack without any discomfort, and will stay comfortably in place for long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband enables you to fold them up to make it easy to transport them in a protective case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio aswell as tight video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice feature. It flashes green to signal rapid charging and solid blue to signal Bluetooth headphones Jbl pairing.

The B&W app provides the same controls as the buttons on the hardware including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and much more. The app also shows an album cover and track's name when you play music from your iPhone. However, the most popular features like music presets and soundscapes feature are not available.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones from Sennheiser, and it is meant to meet the highest expectations. The design and construction of the headphones has been optimized to provide a detail resolution that encompasses all frequencies as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever experience on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms which means it requires a top-quality headphone amplifier that can drive it at the right levels, without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended as this will double the power output and enhance the overall sound quality.

These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalistic and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their construction are excellent. They come with a carrying case, an additional audio cable and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural vocals and instruments, although they are somewhat light on bass. The open-back design creates an expansive out-of-head soundstage. The treble quality is excellent, with minor peaks and drops. The Treble region also is linear which means you won't have any issues with piercingsibilants or even the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still deliver impact as well as dynamism and impact in the event of need, despite the absence of a loud low-end. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who love rock music with punchy basses however, they may not sound as good as the other models on this list.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are extremely linear and have a slight scoop in the upper mids that will not be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals, which is a big plus.

The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. The headphones are costly, but they'll last for bluetooth Headphones jbl many years and perform in any setting.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that can do the trick for anyone who needs to kill some time or just wants an affordable pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you throw them in a bag and their battery is capable of lasting multiple long haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles. However, their audio profile is a little warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and are well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll see buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find media playback controls which include a multi-function button that lets you activate the voice assistant on your phone and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). The built-in mic can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

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

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means you will not be able take advantage of the superior codes' lower latency while gaming on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam earcups are soft enough to wear for long periods without discomfort. The earcups are able to rotate and adjust to the particular shape of your head so you can achieve a perfect fit. You can also listen to music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB cable is included to charge the battery.