Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds encapsulate the ears completely. They also allow for larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update features excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and an impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has enhanced an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy) and include an app that lets you do some audio customization. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more ambient sounds and have a longer battery life.
These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them as needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.
One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to the touch of the panel, which makes them easier to control during calls or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voice calls more clear and precise during calls. This is a noticeable and pleasant addition.
The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable, feel well made, and have an excellent battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used as a passive device by using a TRS cable. This is ideal for traveling or conserving power.
The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. wireless over ear headphones uk are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also have an app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. The B&Ws are built better and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD, and they have an AI-driven engine that tries to scale compressed music up to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it enhances the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headphone that became a standard for commuters as well as passengers around the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula which has made its predecessor so successful but it also includes the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a luxurious look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made of plastic, yet it has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that are securely positioned over your ears and don't apply pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. They can be used with a coat or sweater as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they are not on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is good, but is lacking power.
One feature that's missing is the ability to pause playback whenever you take the headset off. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for several years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice if there was an option to manually control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's voice and sound settings.
The QC45s also come with four in-built microphones to hear your voice when you make calls. The call quality is generally good, but the headsets don't come with the handy capability to muffle your voice during playback which is a feature that other wireless headphones do. Update: As of February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s offered manual EQ options within the audio app which is a welcome improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a design that lets listeners know they're listening to something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also come with an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wireless and wired listening.
The Bathys have a very good battery performance, with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more, with over 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you need to recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that will change to red when the earphone needs to be charged.
They offer a good amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price point with support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device each time you want to listen). They also have a built-in mic that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music as well as make calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still quite effective.
In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones, the Bathys were a good overall performer with a frequency response that mostly is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just minor deviations in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem unreal.
They also have very good leakage resistance, so you can wear them in public without worrying about people hearing your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to the treble range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the class. The latest pair is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a more sleek design, better gesture control and a massive battery life.
Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to make a pair that seem like a step up from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold however they do come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they 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 change is the huge battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is nearly twice as much as most of the competition and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without worrying about finding an outlet.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating, citing their audio quality and ANC as two of their strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense of weight in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize, which can lead to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full, and there's no real feeling of depth in the lows.
The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they will shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be switched off with the power button.
