Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also have larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a larger soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life with a stylish and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has upgraded an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built and feature a more balanced audio profile (though bass-heavy). They also come with an app for audio customization. They’ve improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating more background noises and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony’s own LDAC codec. The latter can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you’ll need compatible equipment and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two bluetooth wireless headphones devices at once and switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.
One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on the panel and are much easier to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise when calling, which is noticeable and a nice addition.
Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they’re one of the top wireless headphones we’ve tested. They’re comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used as a passive device with a TRS cable. This is ideal to travel with or for storing energy.
The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sounds. They also come with a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance, and bluetooth Headphones their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W’s. The B&Ws are built better and can connect to two bluetooth headphone wireless devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to up-scale compressed music to high resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it improves 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 headset that became a standard for commuters as well as travelers around the globe. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model uses the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery life.
Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made of plastic, but has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that fit over your ears without putting pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be worn with a sweater or coat since they can be worn even when they are not on the head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don’t offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the details that more expensive headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for most music genres but can be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent but it lacks power.
One thing that’s not included is the possibility of paused playback when you take the headset off. This is a standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose’s competitors have offered for a long time. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.
Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset’s sound and voice settings.
The QC45s come with four microphones inbuilt to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don’t let you muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 added manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are known for their comfort and style, which let listeners know that they’re listening something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also come with a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance, with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more with more than 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.
For headphones for this price, they come with many features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select the device you want to pair with by hand each time you 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 intuitive interface that makes it simple to control your music as well as make calls.
For over-ear wireless headphones The Bathys are very good in our test of noise cancellation, which reduces the ambient sound by about 9 decibels in average. It’s not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it is still effective.
In our tests of headphone sound quality in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys did well overall, with a an overall frequency response that corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with only slight differences in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds a lot of boom to mixes, however, they can make vocals and instruments like cymbals seem a bit veiled.
They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about others hearing your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality through Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid – to high treble frequency range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company’s top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The latest pair is an improvement on the previous model, featuring a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.
The improvements here are subtle, but they create a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when moving. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but don’t have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that are available on the AirPods.
The biggest difference is the massive battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than twice as much as most of the competitors and sufficient to take a multi-day journey without having to search for an outlet.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score, citing their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound sizzled, not full. There’s also not much depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s shouldn’t put pressure on your neck or ear. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They can move on your head and Bluetooth headphones make intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be turned off manually by pressing the power button.