The Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear noise cancelling headsets can be a big help when you travel on a noisy public transport system, work with colleagues who are chatty, or simply want to listen to music without being distracted by external noise. We analyzed the top over ear headphones that combine amazing sound quality with active noise cancellation.
Mpow Over-Ear Headphones
These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are well-built and offer premium audio quality for the price. The headphones are designed to be worn over the ears and feature ear cups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This will help block out noise from the outside. The earpads feature a moderately thick cushion that protects the ears sufficiently to block out a significant amount of noises from the outside. However they do not come with the ability to cancel out noise. They weigh just over 11 ounces, and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
These headphones are an elegant design that’s not too different from other models of over-ear headphones available. The headband which connects the two ear cups is hinged, which allows them to fold up into a compact unit to transport and store. The left earcup houses the controls for power, Over ear headphones noise cancelling bluetooth volume and noise cancellation. The right earcup has a microphone for hands-free calls.
The Mpow headphones offer a excellent sound quality, however they don’t have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and the activation score are higher than average among Bluetooth headphone models. This should result in a spacious and wide soundstage when listening music. However their PRTF distance score is below average, meaning they will sound tinier and less open than headphones that have large, open-back earcups.
They also have a decent amount of treble extension which should give you an uncluttered and clear sound that can handle most music genres. The mids of the Sony headphones are more prominent, which gives them an even more lively sound. This is perfect for music that has a lot of instruments. Some people find the bass a bit too strong however you can adjust it to your preference by altering the equalizer settings of your audio player.
The Mpow headphones come with a long battery life, and can be utilized in wired mode when your charge runs out. The headphones come with a USB charger and a cable, so you can enjoy your favourite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back guarantee and 18-month warranty for these headphones and their customer support is known to be responsive.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 are the latest over ear headphones noise cancelling bluetooth-ear headphones to grace the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a wider line of wireless headphones that also includes the PI5 and PI7. Unboxed, design of these headphones instantly evokes an impression of luxury. The use of metals and soft materials on the earcups gives them a high-end feel. They also feel comfortable on the head and ear although they are slightly heavier than their counterparts. The ear pads are easily removed and replaceable when they are worn out.
Like many of the best headphones, these cans have active noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to hear your music. The technology isn’t flawless however it does a good job in keeping the whir of a plane engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears while not affecting the balance of music passages that could be in the same frequencies.
One thing that really distinguishes the PX7 S2 apart from their competitors is their soundstage which provides plenty of space and great separation between distinct audio elements. This clarity isn’t always found in other Bluetooth headphones.
While the PX7 S2s aren’t as portable as some of their competitors but they come with a great carry case. It’s also well-padded and the headphones fold flat to make it easy to store when not in use.
The ear cups are encased in a soft, leather-like material that’s quite indulgent to the sensation. The ear cups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband was designed for maximum comfort and doesn’t squeeze too tightly. This helps avoid headaches.
The headphones come with a variety of features that include Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to connect with two devices at the same time. They support all of the most popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as high-res audio, if your streaming service allows it. They have an audio amplifier that gives them an extra boost when used with low-powered electronic devices such as laptops.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5 is a new model in the line of premium noise cancelling headphones for over the ear headphones wireless noise cancelling-ear use. These headphones are a great improvement to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s or WH1000XM4. Sony has improved on its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, for instance, can now mute low-frequency sounds such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also can detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.
You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant to control your music, over Ear headphones Noise cancelling bluetooth receive directions and more. The microphones on the earcups have been upgraded to allow them to be used to make calls using hands-free technology and also to control Siri/Google Assistant. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can connect and pair faster.
The WH-1000XM5 received top scores in our lab tests for comfort, user-friendliness and audio quality. The lightweight headset can be worn for long listening sessions without feeling too tight on the head. The ear cups can be adjusted to fit different sizes of heads. The headphones are portable, and their flat foldable design makes them able to easily fit in the backpack or a suitcase.
The ears have a slight curvature and the headband is more refined. This helps to hide points of assembly. The new synthetic leather provides durability and a luxurious. The earcups are also a bit bigger and sit more snugly against the ears. This can cause some pressure to the head after wearing them for prolonged periods of time.
A few of the features of the WH-1000XM4s have been transferred to the XM5. You can still swipe or tap the right earcup to switch music, pause audio and access Ambient sound mode. You can also place your hand over the left ear cup to temporarily turn down the volume of your music and increase ambient sound, which is useful when you need to hear what’s happening around you.
The XM5s have a few small improvements which make them an excellent choice for noise-canceling headsets. The new ANC provides better isolation of low-frequency sounds and the headphones will stop music when you take them off your head in order to save energy. You can also select an open listening mode that lets in more outside sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.
Skullcandy ATH-ADX700
The ATH ADX700 headphones are a great option for those who want to purchase a pair of gaming headphones. They are comfortable and have high-quality audio. They are light, so you don’t feel them on your ears or head. They have self-adjusting 3D wing that can relieve the pressure and adjust to the shape of your head. They also have a detachable cord that is simple to connect to your audio source.
Open-air headphones with a unique design, these headphones come with large earcups that show the drivers. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out but it’s not all they have to provide. The self-adjusting wing support construction and the brand new 53 mm drivers that feature bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils, and the aluminum casing made of honeycomb are the reasons why these headphones are special and worth the investment.
The ATH ADX700 features a wide frequency response, which allows for a crisp, natural treble. The sound isn’t as bassy as other pairs since they are geared towards the general music lover who doesn’t like to be bombarded by low frequencies. These headphones are ideal for gamers as they allow you to hear your friends and other NPCs without being obstructed.
The ATH-ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms. However, they still require a high-quality amp to perform optimally. This is not a problem when using them with a portable device however it will be much easier to manage and enjoy the full range of sound when they are paired with a headphone amp that is suitable.
The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that features 1/8-inch connector that is gold-plated and an elastic TPE sheath that helps keep it from tangling and causing damage. It also comes with a 1/4″ adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are constructed of plush velour that feels soft and initially itchy, but will break in eventually. They also come with a flexible, raised fabric that increases comfort and durability.