7 Effective Tips To Make The Most Of Your Headphones

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you in the audio. They are typically designed for audiophiles and feature features like active noise cancellation and control applications.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless pair that includes ANC and a mobile application to alter the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio through USB-C for wired listening.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's most recent upgrade to their top-of-the-line noise cancellation lineup. The headphones have a new design and improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but they have higher-end sound quality and better materials.

They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250g. They are very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're listening to or reading an audiobook. The headband is a friction-rod design that is similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature that has been created to please people who listen to music for pleasure as also serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, however it is not harsh or overpowering. They feature a wide and wide soundstage, with good instrument separation that allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls, which are easy and responsive to use. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next track and backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback whenever you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can enable ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup. This lets you listen to the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.

Other features that are useful include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of high-end fabric and the USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's life expectancy is superb. In our most basic test, we were able to get 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 performance on calls is exceptional and there's not any muffled or static-y sounding background. The noise cancellation performance is excellent and they're a great fit for public transport or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, offering top-quality performance and features. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 is a premium model with a variety of features, including 24-bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully placed inside each earcup to create a more focused, immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. An inline remote and microphone lets you manage your music and calls on any compatible device.

These headphones have a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, as well as a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably but not too tightly on the cranium. The new form and shape was refined over a period of time and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't press too hard on my rotund skull.

At 10.8 grams (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are just a little smaller. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a bag or backpack and remain in place for long listening sessions. A strong hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in an enclosed case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio aswell as a fast video sync. You can play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to a USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful touch that flashes green to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.

The B&W app has the same controls as the onboard buttons in the hardware including bass and treble adjustment, action button assignment, wear detection, cycle through ANC modes and much more. When you play music on your iPhone the app will display album cover and track titles. Some popular features like music presets and soundscapes mode are missing, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

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

The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, so a good headphone amplifier will be needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended because it will increase the output power and improve the overall sound quality.

The headphones are designed for professional use and have a sturdy metal frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is simple and doesn't appear like an expensive pair of headphones, however they feel premium in the hand and are built well. They come with a carry pouch and an extra audio cable as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are a bit light on bass. This is because the open-back design provides a wide and out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent with minor drops and peaks. The treble area is very linear, so you shouldn't have any issues cutting sibilants, or the upper impact of the drum snare.

Despite the lack of a loud bass, they can still provide dynamism and impact when needed. They'll still be enjoyable for those who love listening to rock music that has punchy basslines, but they might not be like some of the models on this list, Headphones running such as the HiFiMan Arya.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are extremely linear and have a slight slop in the upper mids that shouldn't be noticeable to most listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals which is a huge benefit.

The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding Headphones Running, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top pick because of their outstanding audio quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are costly, however they will last for many years and perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones on sale that will be a great choice for anyone who needs to pass the time or simply wants a low-cost set of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic case that protects them when you put them in bags. Their battery can last multiple long-haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out loud passengers and engine rumbles. However, their audio profile is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and clearly marked. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones, as well as to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll see media playback controls. This includes a multi-function button that activates the phone's voice assistant and turns on Anker BassUp (more about that later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls without hands your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones offer a rich and immersive listening experience, due 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 active noise cancellation is specifically designed to block out a variety of mid- and low-frequency sound.

One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that it doesn't support the aptX codec, which is disappointing. This means you won't be in a position to benefit from the superior codec's lower latency while gaming on your PC.

The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups are also capable of turning, allowing them to adapt to the specific shape of your head so that you can have a comfortable fit. You can also listen to your music with a 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB cable is included for charging the battery.