Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts and music without the requirement of connecting an audio wire to your device. They're ideal for public transport, at work or at home.
Wireless over-ear headphones may have an elegant design and superior noise cancellation. They usually come with a sleek storage case.
Soundcore Life Q30
These over-ears are a major upgrade from the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They are more attractive, feel more durable, and have a more polished look. The hinges are more secure and the soft cups are a bit larger. They're still made of plastic, however they are more polished. You can switch the 3.5mm cord for a higher quality USB-C cable to connect them to portable Hi-Res devices and stationary players. They also come with two mics built in that worked well in our tests using FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app has a wide selection of EQ presets that can be saved and altered to listen to podcasts or music in the style that you prefer. This is what sets these headphones apart from most other ANC headphones, and the Soundcore app is very easy to use.
The Q30's 40mm speaker effectively block nearly all ambient noise when ANC is turned on. This results in an extremely pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound signature is natural, but a little on the treble. Some might be disappointed by the bass response (we got better results with the Bass Booster equalizer). This can be fixed easily using the Soundcore App, which comes with an 8-band Equalizer.
The left earcup features the power button as well as a pairing button and a USB-C charging port. The right earcup features buttons for volume up/down, play/pause and volume up/down. Double-clicking on these controls allows you to skip tracks or repeat previous ones. They also have an option to speak to them that allows you to request to change the mode or set an alarm. The right earcup can be covered with your hand to enable ambient mode, to allow you to hear what is going on around you without removing the headphones.
These headphones have a fantastic battery life. In our tests with ANC switched on, the Q30 was able to last for nearly an hour longer than the other headphones. This allows you to take advantage of the long flight, or a busy day at work. The USB-C cable included allows you to quickly charge the batteries. You'll also get an alert when the battery is about to run out.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of high-quality headphones for over-ear use 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 on the move. They're slightly more expensive than similar headphones, but their superior sound quality is the main selling feature.
The Focal Bathys are packaged in a small, slim and attractive, white, fabric-finished box that contains all the accessories you'll need in. The package also includes a fold-flat carrying case for the headphones as well as a USB-C to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.
The 600mAh battery can last a whole day of listening to music casually. They also come with an audio input that you can use wired. Wirelessly, they're paired via Bluetooth. You can control their functions with an app (now called Focal & Naim in line with English Naim's network-aware products) or the button located on the left earcup which scrolls through ANC profiles like'silent','soft 'transparent,' and 'full.
Utilizing the app, you are able to alter various settings such as the LED brightness, EQ presets including a'music profile' that is more neutral and brighter than the others and their battery life. You can also choose the ANC level and mode and select an 'acoustic environment setting to alter the sensitivity to simulate the sound of headphones in a different acoustic room.
The Focal Bathys feature an incredibly bass-rich profile that gives extra warmth, punch and impact to your favorite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments can be muted, and certain elements like cymbals could be less prominent than other headphones. The headphones are also less effective at active noise cancellation when compared with other over-ears with more advanced technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony headphones are known for their high-end quality and the WH1000XM5 headphones are no exception. It is a top pick in the mainstream over ear headphone market and borders the 'luxury' lifestyle area in which brands like Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. The XM5s are expensive however, if you are able to find them, there's not a better pair of wireless headphones for over-ear use.
The XM5s are loaded with features that make life easier for listeners and, in some instances, automate tasks that they'd otherwise have to deal with manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to near-high resolution) is included as well as support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. This allows for streaming of high-quality audio with bitrates that are higher than standard Bluetooth. It also has a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free.
Similar to the previous generation of WH headphones the XM5s excel in noise cancellation. They're among the top in reducing the continuous drones that can be heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s are also great in separating the listener from the hum of airports and busy streets.
Sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s aren't quite as clear in the low frequencies as the XM4, but there's a more pronounced sense of clarity and realism also. For example, the bass track on Rage Against The Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real power and definition without flattening the other elements. The XM5s are also able to deliver precise and tight bass notes in Massive Attack's Angel.
Battery life is great with up to 30 hours of listening time when ANC is active and 40 hours if it's off. This is more than enough to last an entire weekend or a few days of heavy use.
The XM5s do not come with water resistant or dust resistant. In fact, Sony recommends that you don't sweat into them or wear them out in the rain. This might not be a problem for many people, but it might be a problem for those who spends much of their time in the gym or lives in a rainy city.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of over-ear wireless headphones with Bluetooth technology and noise cancelling. They have 40mm Apple-designed dynamic drivers with a neutral audio profile that is focused on the mids and highs while not going overboard on either ends of the spectrum. They are ideal for movies and music. They also offer better sound quality than many competing pairs of headphones.
bose soundlink around ear wireless headphones ii have a light build that feels comfortable on the head. The ear cups are made of memory foam and covered with woven fabric, and they are comfortable to wear without putting pressure on the sides of the face. The ear cups can tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges offer a strong, but not too strong clamping force that makes sure the earcups remain in position during listening sessions.
A small button on the top of the right earcup allows you to switch between noise cancelling modes. You can also use a pushable jog dial-like button similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch. You can twist it for volume control and press it once, twice, or three times for playback controls. Siri is invoked by pressing and pressing the button. These buttons are placed well and simple to use, however I was disappointed that there wasn't a power button to turn off the headphones when not in use. The headphones automatically switch to standby mode when removed from your ear or placed in their case, and they only wake up when you slide them over your head again.
Spatial audio is another great feature. It uses the accelerometers, gyroscopes and iPads or iPhones to determine where you're moving. Then, it repositions the sound so that they appear to originate from that particular location. This creates an immersive theater experience for movies and videos that were recorded in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only drawback is that spatial audio requires an iOS device for use and you won't be able experience it on other devices.
The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd feel a bit ripped off walking into an Apple Store and spending $549 on the headphones if I knew that they'd be beaten in a year by the second-generation model. AirPods Pro are more expensive, but they have better battery life and advanced features.