The Reasons Best Wireless Over Ear Headset Could Be Your Next Big Obsession
The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones are able to completely block out any external noise. Find headphones with active noise cancellation and a battery life of at least 20 hours.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature excellent ANC, a convenient app, and easy on-ear controls. The default sound profile offers thump and punch, but instruments and vocals can be moved to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great pair of headphones for those who love music and need the most wireless headset. They're lightweight and come with a soft carrying case and fold flat for easy storage in your bag. The controls on their touch screen are easy to use and intuitive and their battery lasts an impressive 30 hours with ANC turned off. They even include an auto-pause feature that will turn off your headphones when they are removed from your head to conserve battery.
The WH-1000XM5 are compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an array of features that can be used to personalize your audio experience. The app is able to monitor your location and alter ambient sound features based on your surroundings. The microphone is built in for hands-free calling. The Sony WH1000XM5 plays music wirelessly via Bluetooth or wired with the cable included. They support aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs and aptX adaptive codecs that provide high-quality audio through Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4, the WH1000XM5 is light and comfortable, with well-padded headbands and ear cups. They are comfortable to wear and can be worn for long periods. They're also great for long commutes and flights. They are noise cancelling headphones that can cut down background noise without compromising clarity or clarity. The Sony WH1000XM5 has decent bass for closed back headphones and they have a superb soundstage that has the clear distinction between vocals and instruments.
They have a low latency when watching videos, which is a plus. The lag is so tiny that it's barely noticeable and they can be used for casual gaming. They're not the ideal choice for games that are competitive, however and are ideal for those who will be using them for media consumption and to make calls that are hands-free.
Sony is dedicated to incorporating smart features into its products, and the WH1000XM5 is no exception. The active noise cancellation was one of the most effective I've tried and they offer a whole range of intelligent features that can enhance your listening experience. They also have Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to near high-res quality. They're compatible with Sony's LDAC technology which streams music with higher quality over Bluetooth.
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones which is the PX7 S2, have consistently appeared on top wireless headset lists since the introduction of the first-generation PX7, in 2015. This puts them in the same class as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bose's QuietComfort. The latest model, the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the initial headphones to a new level, with improved ANC performance and a refreshed design.
The 40mm bio-cellulose drivers in the earcups have been angled so they are aimed directly at your eardrums. This delivers an audio experience that is more intimate than most other closed-back headphones. It's a bold statement however the PX7 S2 delivers on. The vocals are clear, and the bass is deep when needed.
The PX7 S2 is also very good at voice calls. It has a clear and clear sound that does not overpower your voice. The PX7 S2 also offers rapid charging, which can bring you back to full capacity in less than two hours. They are also compatible with high-resolution music due to the aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc, which allows them to play 24-bit audio.
For most listeners, the most important upgrade is the enhanced noise-canceling and audio quality. In our tests, the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated aircraft cabin noise with impressive efficiency, and they excelled when we performed Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent insight into the dynamic shifts between the solo voice, the wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s aren't just noise-cancelling, they also have a variety of other features that make them competitive with other top-rated headphones. They are fully wireless and come with Bluetooth multipoint support, so you can pair two devices at once. They also come with built-in microphones which allows hands-free calls with your phone's assistant. They're also extremely durable, with a premium-feeling and robustly-constructed construction that can last for years of regular use.
They're not perfect, of course. The clamp force on our test models was a little tighter than we'd prefer, and there aren't as many additional features in the app as other options, but these aren't major complaints. wireless over the head headphones are a superb wireless headphone that competes with the top of their class, and it's hard to imagine them being defeated by any other competitor.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who appreciate high-fidelity and are searching for an exceptional wireless noise-canceling headset, the Focal Bathys are difficult to beat. They're the French audio company's first-ever ANC headphones that use Bluetooth and they offer incredible sound in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to a device via USB for hi-fi audio at up to 24 bit/192kHz (the headset is also capable of blocking external sound through its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are stunning, with their glossy finish and swooping curvatures reminiscent Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are constructed of premium materials such as magnesium and aluminum, which make them feel durable and comfortable. They are also worth the price.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys offer a clear and lively sound signature that easily beats similar priced consumer ANC alternatives like the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. They can be improved further with direct DAC audio mode which makes them a great choice for those who love hi-fi.
Utilizing the Focal & Naim app users can alter their headphone's playback controls as well as the virtual assistant and Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app allows users to choose between quiet and soft intensities for ANC. They can also alter the brightness of the LEDs that are on the earcups of the headphones, as well as adjust the EQ settings. The app is basic but has enough features to be worth the cost.
The only issue is the active noise cancellation, which doesn't measure in the same way as the other models. The headphone does not eliminate all ambient noise as well as the top-rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy is also a bit off with a muffled high to mid range that blocks vocals and instruments.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't very transportable. They're not ideal for travel due to their earcups don't fold and they weigh more than the competition. The Bathys should be used at home for long listening sessions or as an audio reference headset for audio engineering. The Bathys are comfortable to wear over long periods of time despite their size and bulk.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N are excellent wireless over ear headphones for the price. The noise-cancelling technology is great and does a great deal to cut down the background noise. They are great for those who commute or travel. They also add an appealing high-end look with their robust construction and attractive matte finish.
They have a similar design to Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They feature a slim plastic headband, with the standard ear cups hinges. They're lightweight and comfortable to wear, but they feel a bit too compressed for my liking. In the box, they have a USB-C port for charging, an 3.5mm jack, and a decent length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth, which means you can connect to two devices simultaneously should you wish to.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid noise cancelling technology did well in reducing ambient noise, with only few noticeable blips when walking through Waterloo station and London Victoria. They weren't sound-silencers that blocked out every sound however, they struggled with lower frequency sounds like the rumbling engine noise of trains and buses.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and displayed a minimal harmonic distortion. I tried a variety of genres and discovered they could handle the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did an excellent job of controlling the bass in rock tracks and keeping the focus of the mix.
I like the possibility of adjusting the Sony Headphones Connect app to tailor the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to suit your preferences and add a variety of audio presets. You can also make use of the app to enable DSEE which boosts the quality of compressed content and enhances its audio quality.
While the WH-CH720N lacks some of Sony's primetime features compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention) they do offer a solid feature set for PS130. You get access to 360 Reality Audio and a range of smart controls, in addition to the DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing not available is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support I think it would have been a great inclusion.