Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, can completely surround the ears. They also permit larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
noise cancelling wireless headphones & Dynamic MW65 update features high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life in an elegant and distinctive design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has made improvements to an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are less heavy, more durable, and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though they are bass heavy). They also have an app that lets you customize the audio. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, eliminating the background noise and have a longer battery life.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and switch between them as needed. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.
One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on the panel and are much easier to control when making calls or listening to music. Sony also added an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise when calling which is noticeable and a nice touch.
Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're some of the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, well-made, and have batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used with the TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to save power.
The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also have a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. But the B&Ws have more robust design and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to up-scale compressed music to high resolution. This is called 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 headset that became an essential for commuters and travelers from all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula that made its predecessor so successful, while adding the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.
Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband, made of plastic, provides a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you expand or retract your ear cups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that can be worn over your ears without placing pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be used with a sweater or coat as the noise-canceling works even when you aren't on your head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified which is acceptable 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 ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for several years. Another thing that was missing 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.
You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound settings.
The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice while on the phone. The call quality is generally good, but the headsets don't have the nifty capability to muffle your voice while playing back which is something other wireless headphones do. Update In February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s gave you manual EQ options in the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their comfort and style which tell listeners that they're listening something special. Their first venture into wireless headphones that cancel out noise The Bathys, are a stunning set of cans that look and sound amazing. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wireless and wired listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We had more than 40 hours of playback time on average from just one charge. If you do need to recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone has to be charged.
For headphones for this price, they come with lots of features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select your device source each time you listen.) The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music and take calls.
For over-ear wireless headphones The Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of the surrounding environment 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's still very effective.
In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones The Bathys did well overall, with a a frequency response that mostly is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with just minor differences in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile which can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem unreal.
They also have very good leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about others hearing your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to the treble range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this class. The latest model is improved over the previous generation with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls and massive battery life.
Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they make a pair that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them when on the move. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, like those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on AirPods.
The most obvious improvement in this model is the huge battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature activated. That's easily double what most of the competitors can provide and enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge them up.
Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating, citing their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and the treble, which means that orchestral music tends to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have strong bass lines, such as the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s are comfortable and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be a bit uncomfortable when worn around the house or during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head with intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random and can cause distraction during music or calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually using the power button.