Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music anywhere, without the need to run an audio wire to your device. They are an excellent choice for public transport, at work or at home.
Wireless over-ear headphones can have an elegant design and superior noise cancellation. They typically come with a sleek storage case.
Soundcore Q30
These earphones are an important upgrade from the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They are more attractive and feel more durable and have a more polished finish. They're still mostly made of plastic, however the hinges are more secure and the soft leather cups are bigger. You can swap the 3.5mm cord for a high quality USB-C cable to connect them to portable Hi-Res devices and stationary players. They also have dual built-in microphones, which perform well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app has a wide variety of EQ presets that can be saved and altered to play podcasts and music in the way you like. The Soundcore app makes it easy to use and makes these headphones stand out.
When ANC is on the Q30's 40mm drivers effectively cut out almost all ambient noise and make for very pleasant listening. They have a natural sounding signature that leans slightly to the treble side, and some might be unable to reproduce bass (we had better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer preset). This can be fixed easily with the Soundcore App, which comes with an 8-band Equalizer.
The left earcup has an power button, a pairing button, and USB-C charging port. The right earcup is equipped with buttons for play/pause, volume control and volume up/down. Double-clicking on these buttons allows you to skip tracks or repeat previous ones. You can also make use of voice commands to ask them to switch modes or set alarms. The right earcup can also be covered by your hand to enable ambient mode, so you can be aware of what is happening around you without taking off the headphones.
The battery life of these headphones is excellent, too. In our tests with ANC switched on, the Q30 ran for almost an hour longer than the other headphones. This allows you to enjoy a long flight, or a full day at work. The USB-C cable included allows you to quickly recharge them. You'll also receive an alert when the battery is nearing empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of powerful over-ear headphones that feature active noise cancellation as well as Bluetooth playback. These headphones are designed to be high-end, premium headphones that can be used at home or while on the move. They're a little more expensive than other similar headphones, but their exceptional sound quality is the main selling point.
The Focal Bathys are packaged in a slim, compact and attractive white fabric-finished retail box that contains all the accessories you need inside. There's a fold-flat headphone carry case, USB-C to USB cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.
They're powered by a respectable 600mAh battery that can take you through a full day of listening, and include an audio input for wired use. Wirelessly, they are paired via Bluetooth. You can control their functions using an app (now named Focal and Naim in line with English Naim's network-aware products) or the dedicated button located on the left earcup that scrolls through ANC profiles such as'silent,'soft transparent,' and 'full.
The app lets you alter various settings, such as the brightness of the LEDs, the EQ presets (including the music profile, which is more neutral and brighter than other profiles) and the battery life. It also gives you the ability to select the ANC mode and its level, as well as setting an 'acoustic environment' that adjusts the sensitivity of your music to simulate how it would sound like when used in a space with different audio acoustics.
The Focal Bathys come with an incredibly bass-rich profile that gives more warmth, punch and impact to your favorite tracks. This means that instruments and vocals sound muted, while certain elements like cymbals could be less noticeable than on other headphones. The headphones are also less effective at active noise cancellation when compared with other headphones that feature more advanced technology, like the Sony WH1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony headphones are well-known for their quality, and the WH1000XM5 is not an exception. It is the best of the mainstream over ear headphone market and also falls within the luxury lifestyle segment where brands like Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are located. The XM5s can be expensive, but if you can get them, you won't find a better wireless headphones.
The XM5s have a lot of features that make life easier for the listener, and also automate tasks that they'd otherwise be required to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music that has been compressed to near high-res), as well as Bluetooth's LDAC Technology, are all included. This lets high-quality audio be streamed with bitrates that are higher than Bluetooth. It also has a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free.
The XM5 headphones aren't any different from the previous generation of headphones from WH in terms of noise cancellation. They are one of the best at cutting down on the constant drones that can be heard in train and underground carriages. The XM5s do an excellent job isolating listeners from the noise of busy streets and airports also.
The sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s aren't as precise in the lower frequencies as the XM4, but there's a more pronounced sense of clarity and realism, too. The bass on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head shows off the Sonys power and clarity, without affecting the rest the music. The XM5s are also able to provide precise and accurate bass notes on Massive Attack's Angel.
The battery life is also good, providing up to 30 hours of listening time with ANC active and up to 40 hours when it's turned off. That's more than enough for a weekend getaway or a long period of usage.
The only real drawback here is that the XM5s do not have any dust or water resistance protection. Sony actually advises against sweating on the XM5s or taking them out in the rain. black beats wireless headphones may not be a big deal for everyone else however for those who spend a lot of time in the gym or live in a rainy location, it could be a significant issue.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones that fit over the ear with Bluetooth technology and noise cancelling. Apple created dynamic drivers that measure 40mm, with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids without going too loud. They are great for movies and music. They also provide better sound quality than many rival headphones.
The headphones have a light build that feels comfortable on the head. The ear cups are constructed from memory foam covered in weaved fabric. They are comfortable to wear without pressing on the sides of the face. The ear cups can tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges have a firm but not overly strong clamping force, which makes sure that the ear cups remain in place throughout listening sessions.
Switch on noise cancellation by pressing a small button at the top of the right earcup. You can also utilize the jog dial that is a push-button similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch. You can twist it for volume control, and press it once three, twice, or times to playback the controls. Siri is activated by pressing and holding the button. The buttons are simple to use and are well-placed, however, I would like to have the power button that could shut off the headphones when in use. The headphones go into standby mode when removed from your ears, or when they are put in their case. They will return to life when you place them on your head.
Spatial audio is another great feature. It makes use of gyroscopes, accelerometers, and iPads or iPhones to determine where you are moving. Then, it adjusts the sound so that they appear to come from that location. This creates an immersive theater experience for films and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only drawback is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to be used, and you won't be able enjoy it on other devices.
The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I would feel a bit ripped off if I spent $549 in an Apple Store knowing that the second-generation model would be better after a year. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and improved battery life, making it difficult to justify the additional expense for most people.