5 Reasons Headphones Is Actually A Good Thing

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are designed to surround your ears and immerse you in music. They are generally designed for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancelling 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 through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation line-up. They sport a new design, enhanced ANC, and many of the same features as their predecessors but with higher-end materials and a slightly more premium sound quality.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, with just 250g. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or book. The headband has a friction-rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 has a sound signature that has been designed to satisfy both casual music listeners as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, yet it's not harsh or overpowering. They feature a wide and spacious soundstage that has good instrument separation that lets you hear subtleties in your music. The earcups come with control buttons that are easy to use and responsive. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song, backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices simultaneously and thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can enable the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right-ear cup. This lets you hear the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones.

Other useful features include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of high-end fabric as well as a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is impressive. In our standard test we were able achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for calls is exceptional, and there's no muffled or static-y sound in the background. The noise cancellation is excellent, and they're a good option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering premium performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming, optimized active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup to create an enhanced, more immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide exceptional call clarity even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you control your music and calls using any compatible device.

These headphones have a similar sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They have accent rings that wrap around the earcups and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably but not too tight on the cranium. The new design and shape required a lot of time to perfect, providing an easy clamping force that doesn't press too hard even on my own rotund cranium.

They're 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a little thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones noise cancelling are light enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband can be folded by using a sturdy hinge on the back.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio aswell for a tight 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, flashing green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W App offers the same controls that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer - bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments, wear detection, cycling through ANC modes, headphones for iPhone etc. When you play music on your iPhone, the app displays album cover and track titles. Some popular features like music presets and soundscapes mode aren't available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. The technical design was designed to provide an incredible detail resolution that encompasses the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range and stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic sound you'll experience on open-back headphones gym.

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

These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mixture of plastic and leather padding. The design is simple and doesn't look extravagant however the quality of the headphones and their build are excellent. They come with a carry pouch and an extra audio cable, as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with a natural sound, even though they are a little light on bass. This is because the open-back design provides a wide and out-of-head soundstage. The treble quality is excellent, with minor peaks and drops. The treble region is also extremely smooth, meaning you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and the upper bite of a drum snare.

They can still provide impact and dynamism when required, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who love listening to rock music that has strong basslines, however they may not be like some of the models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.

These Sennheiser headphones have a fantastic midrange. They are straight and have an incline on the upper mids that won't be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce precise time gradations, which is a nice bonus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are ideal for professionals and audiophiles. They're a top choice because of their excellent sound quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are expensive but they will last you for many years and perform in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good pair of headphones for iphone [understanding] for those who wants to relax or simply want a pair of affordable noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag which protects them when you throw them into bags. Their battery can last multiple long-haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles when on a plane, though their audio profile is a bit heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls are easy to navigate and 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 controls for playing back media. This includes a multi-function control that activates your phone's voice assistant and switches on Anker BassUp (more about that later). The built-in mic can be used to make phone calls hands-free.

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. With a treble that stretches up to 40 kHz, these headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and detail, as their active noise cancelling technology is designed to block out a wider range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is disappointing. This means you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.

In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are soft enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing any discomfort. The earcups can rotate to adapt to the shape of your head. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.