Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds encapsulate the ears completely. They also permit larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a bigger soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already excellent pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They’re less heavy, feel better built, feature more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancelling works even better than before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony’s own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, though you’ll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the tap of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or listen to media. Sony also included a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise when calling which is evident and a nice feature.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they’re among the top wireless bt headphone Headphones wireless (0522891255.ussoft.Kr) that we have ever tested. They’re comfortable and well-made. They also have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used in a passive manner with an TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to save power.

The WH1000XM4s are a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also have a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W’s. The B&Ws are better built and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the latest version of a headset that has become a favorite among commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which made its predecessor so successful but it also includes the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, constructed of plastic, offers a firm feel thanks to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you retract or extend your ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without pressing your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can wear them when you’re wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise-canceling works even when they’re not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound at this price. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking the punch.

One feature that’s not present is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a feature Bose’s rivals have provided for years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset’s sound and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones built-in to hear your voice while on the phone. The headphones have good call quality, however they don’t permit you to muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update as of February 2022, bt headphones Wireless a firmware upgrade to the QC45s gave you an option to adjust the volume manually in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they’re listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also have a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got a bit more and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you have to charge the headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

For headphones at this price, they come with a lot of features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You will need to select your device source each time you listen.) The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. It’s not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound profile that adds a lot of boom to the mix, but can sometimes make vocals and bt headphones Wireless instruments like cymbals seem a bit veiled.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid to high treble frequency range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company’s flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the category. The latest pair improves on the previous model by having modern design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold however they come with a nice hardshell case to keep them safe while on the go. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you’ll find on AirPods.

The most notable improvement is the battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than twice the amount of the other brands and enough to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral music tends to sound flat, not grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it can be overemphasised and cause fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines, like the drums in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There’s no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and aren’t likely to put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be fidgety if you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to suddenly wake up which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be switched off by pressing the power button.