Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Take a look at these if you're seeking wireless headphones for your ears. They're not just comfortable to wear, but they have excellent active noise cancellation that mutes background noises to allow you to concentrate on your music. Focal's first wireless headphones are the ultimate dream of audiophiles. They have a full sound profile that has enough thump to suit EDM but vocals and instruments aren't left out. They come with a companion application and ANC presets that allow you to tailor the sound to suit your personal preferences. Sony WH-1000XM5 The WH-1000XM5 by Sony is the most recent version of the popular headphones. It comes with automatic adaptive noise cancellation to block out background noise. They're well-suited to commutes and long days of travel with a whopping 27 hours of playback time. They also have a neat feature that allows you to pair them with two Bluetooth devices at the same time, which makes it easy to switch between calls and music. The WH-1000XM5's sleek and minimalist design and environmentally friendly packaging (using recycled plastic that was specifically designed for Sony) make them an attractive option for anyone who is concerned about the environment. The XM5s come with a softer and more comfortable headband that can be worn comfortably over your ear and puts less pressure on your skull. They are also more stylish and sleek, with a brand new style that is a perfect match with the majority of outfits. They're also available in a matte black that looks even better than the glossy black of previous generations. One of the best features is their intelligent noise cancellation feature. It senses when you've taken off the headphones and pauses your audio. When you put your headphones back on the audio is automatically resumed. This is a great method to save battery, and it is effective. As for sound quality, the XM5s do a great job in both LDAC codec support as well as DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. Tim Commerford's bass skills are featured in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head track, a dark track. Billie Eilish's Bad Guy features a subtle but deliberate vocal fade. A word of caution for those who exercise and who live in rainy climes The WH-1000XM5s do not have an IP rating, which means they can't be trusted around humidity. In the manual, it's clearly stipulated that you shouldn't use the headset in the rain or sweat into it. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 The PX7 S2 is a refreshing upgrade to B&W's prior flagship wireless headphone, the PX7. The Series 2 is not just an iterative update, but it's a major improvement in the quality of audio and ANC. The design is also more refined. It's a more mature look rather than the shiny, futuristic design of Sony's XM5 or Apple's AirPods Max. A power slider ensures that you know when the headphones are on, and the dedicated buttons for play/pause and volume make it simple to navigate through your music library. The left earcup has an adjustable button that can be remapped for your voice assistant. There's also an ambient pass-through mode, which lets you hear what's going on around you. streaming the 16-bit/44.1kHz master of Dennis Wilson's River Song from his Pacific Ocean Blue album using the S2s The soundstage is vast and rich with layered harmonies as well as atmospheric textures coming through clearly. There's a good amount of low-end extension, too, and vocals stay in the center. The S2s aren't the best at EQ control. You can increase or reduce bass and treble to 6dB, however there are no presets to help you find the ideal balance. The majority of listeners won't be concerned about this however, those who want to tweak their audio will have to look elsewhere. Overall, the PX7 S2s are a good option for those seeking an active noise-canceling headphone with a premium feel and finish. They're not as versatile as the aforementioned XM5s however they're a great option for most listeners. You'll just have to decide if their superior ANC and audio quality is enough to justify the slightly higher cost. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless The Bose QuietComfort 45 are a solid pair of over ear wireless headphones that offer great noise cancellation and 24-hour battery life. They are light and comfortable enough to wear around the home. They can be controlled via the built-in buttons and an accompanying app, however the ability to customize is restricted (sorry, no equalizer). You'll be able to choose from a range of sound profiles for different scenarios, including travel or working from home. The QC45s feature an option called Aware Mode which permits outside sounds to be heard when using ANC. This is beneficial for those who wish to hear children and traffic when out and out and about. The audio quality of the headphones isn't as great as that of the WH-1000XM5s, but they're still decent. The bass isn’t pounding but it does provide adequate volume and depth. The mids and the highs are smooth and there's no harshness or shrillness. One issue is that QC45s tend to favor the higher frequencies, which could cause a slight sibilance when listening to certain songs. It's not a huge issue and can be easily corrected in software by tweaking the headphone's settings. The controls are simple and easy to use. A button on the left ear cup powers the headphones on and off, controls the music playback, and controls Bluetooth pairing. There's also a multi-function Action button that doubles as a power toggle, voice assistant, and volume control. There's a microphone to take phone calls as well as Siri or Alexa is supported. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x The ATH-M20x are a chic pair of headphones that offer excellent sound quality for the price. They are well built with solid feel to them. While the headband and ear cups are constructed from plastic, it is durable enough to be long-lasting and durable for use. The ear cups are adjustable by 15 degrees and can be placed in a comfortable position on most ears. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x comes with Bluetooth 5.0 which allows you to enjoy your music wirelessly. The battery longevity is impressive, with up to 30 hours of music listening time. They include a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are easy to use. There are three buttons on the back of the left ear cup that let you control playback and other functions. These buttons allow you to pause, change tracks, and even adjust the volume. The ATH-M20x also comes with an integrated microphone that can be used for calls and voice commands. The headset features low-latency technology that makes it ideal for gaming and video calls. The ATH-M20x headphones are great for certain genres of music however, not all. Vocals may sound a bit dull and there isn't any real bass response. The high frequencies sound crisp and clear. The treble is a standout feature of these headphones. These headphones are great for pop, jazz and classical music. The ATH-M20x headphones are lightweight at just under 190 grams without the cord. They have a good amount of padding on the earcups however they cannot be folded. They are large and won't fit in a bag or backpack. They don't have an untidy cable, either. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a better choice for those who want a set of headphones that is more portable. It is more comfortable due to its fold-down design, swiveling earpieces that lay flat, as well as cables that can be removed. It's more expensive, but offers better isolation and more bass. Skullcandy Dime 2 The Dime 2 is one of Skullcandy's best-sounding wireless earbuds. It comes with a small, compact carrying case that is easy to slip into purses or pockets. It comes with a range of sizes of ear gels that can be adjusted to fit various sizes of ears. It's also a little lighter than other true wireless headphones we tested. Dual microphones are excellent to pick your voice when you call and reducing background noise. They are not suitable for use in outdoor environments since noises from the outside can drown out your voice. They also struggle with winds and can cut certain portions of your speech. Despite these minor issues, the earbuds provide solid bass and other sound quality. They have a clear, high-end that doesn't leak into the mids, and they've got a good amount of mid-bass to add some punch to your music. The AirPod Pro has a dual-tap function that is decent, but not as intuitive as the Apple AirPod Pro. You have to place your thumb on bottom stem to ensure stability and then press the logo to initiate the command. It's a bit awkward and isn't as responsive as a pinch-gear system. The earbuds can last about four hours on a single charge and can be charged quickly for two more hours. They are IPX4 rated for their resistance to sweat and water. The Earbuds come with a carrying case that has several openings to accommodate the earbuds as well as an elastic loop to secure them to your clothes. The case comes in a variety of colors, including Doritos Red. You can find them on the internet for less than $30 USD.
wireless headphones