NEWS

Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

Noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute blessing for anyone who enjoys listening whether in the office or commuting on the train. But which ones are the most effective?

With a new design, superior sound quality and an enviable list of features, Sony's newest flagship headphones offer exceptional value. From the forceful chorus to Sinead O'Connor's unstable bridge, these headphones offer amazing clarity and realism.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is the leader in noise cancellation, and its WH1000XM5 headphones are among the top model in this line. A few well-thought-out upgrades over the ear headphones Wireless noise cancelling the XM4s make these headphones an all-round excellent pair of headphones, particularly for those who commute or travel. They're comfortable, feature multipoint technology that allows you to connect to two devices simultaneously, and are the most powerful ANC Sony has ever created. They're also lightweight and offer around 27 hours of playback without charging, which is sufficient to last a week's worth commutes or a long-haul flight.

The WH-1000XM5s feature an elegant, minimalist design and are made from a recycled and recyclable plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS). The branding is minimal, but you'll find the "Sony" logo on each hinge of each earcup. The earcups and the headband are cushioned by a plush soft material that feels comfortable on all but the largest heads. The earcups can be adjusted to ensure that you get the best fit for you.

Contrary to previous models that focused on reducing low frequency noise, the XM5s amplify sound waves at high frequency to cancel out ambient noise. That improves overall sound quality and helps reduce engine and cabin noise on flights, for example. The XM5s have a second processor to increase noise cancellation more for airplanes, and the audio app can also automatically adjust your listening environment based on the data from your air pressure.

The WH-1000XM5s comes with a voice assistant that is easy to use and works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. You can also pair the XM5s with other Sony audio products to enable multi-room music playback as well as stereo separation. They're compatible with Bluetooth high-bitrate audio streaming using LDAC, which Sony's codec is based on, but don't support the aptX codec or aptX HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

When a company has been manufacturing headphones for many years, including Sennheiser, you expect class-leading sound quality and a comfortable fit. They deliver on both fronts with their latest over-ears, dubbed the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've redesigned their design to eliminate a few distinctive elements that gave their original models the look of an aviator. They also enhanced active noise cancellation by using their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation Technology. They've rated these headphones to last for 60 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, which is more than double the battery life of most competitors.

They're also more mobile than the previous model since they fold down and are smaller overall. They're made with artificial PU leather for the replaceable headband and ear pads which feel comfortable on my ear even when I wear them all day at work. They are also not very tight, over The Ear Headphones wireless noise cancelling which means you can wear them on long flights, or even during workouts.

The sound is clean and well-balanced There are a few high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid, which can cause slight muddying in the mixes. The bass can be a bit overemphasised, adding some extra impact and thump to genres such as EDM or hip-hop. It's not a huge deal however some listeners may find it irritating. The high-mid has a bit of an uneven balance that pushes instruments and vocals to the forefront of mixes however at the expense of bringing out sibilants within some songs.

The Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless comes with all of the usual features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparent mode that blends outside noises into your music for improved awareness, and mobile application support for custom and pre-set EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can utilize SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your device and they're able to cut down latency by as much as a quarter of a second and over the ear Headphones wireless noise Cancelling that's a huge benefit.

3. B&W PX7 S2

The original PX7s were top of the line on many lists of the best budget noise cancelling headphones Bluetooth headsets due to their excellent ANC and audio quality. But, like all wireless headphones, they've been getting older and required an update and hence the PX7 S2. B&W hasn't just redesigned the design for the new version, but has made considerable improvements to ANC and also added more voice-call features, too.

The PX7 S2 headphones are extremely light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The design of the PX7 S2 is mostly identical to the previous model. This includes the cool oval aluminium top-plate that is used for the earcups, the hook-like accent that slides instead of clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups, however, are smaller and the headband is less substantial.

B&W's software allows you to modify EQ settings for treble and bass but you don't get as much control over the mix of those two elements as you do with higher-end headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup toggles environmental modes and can be set in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to call the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 is a great choice for all music styles. It has a wide soundstage and a good separation of the different sound elements. It's especially impressive for pieces that have acoustic instruments, such as Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata, Op. 19, by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with acoustic instrumental tones that give an airy feel. It's also able to handle heavier songs and has the bass sound and midrange clarity of Entombed's garage/death-n'roll crossover curiosity To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth creating a wall of sound while allowing to be able to discern the vocals of Lars-Goran Petrov's gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose was among the first companies to bring active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for years but now they must compete with more modern headsets which offer more features and better sound quality. That said the QuietComfort 35 is still a ideal option for those who want to hear their music or podcasts without being disturbed by constant buzzing and rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does an excellent job of removing background noise, though it tends to focus on low frequencies more than newer headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

The QC35s are an excellent pair of headphones for listening to podcasts and audiobooks. They come with a passive noise cancellation mode that reduces ambient noise while still keeping you isolated from the surrounding. The QC35s let you connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and "audio-share" so that you can play something on one pair of headphones and then answer an incoming call on the other pair.

The Bose Connect App is decent but it doesn't offer the vast EQ features of other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the sound quality is significantly diminished and battery life is not as good as with wireless models.

The QC35s have an established Bose look that might not appeal to some consumers as the sleeker designs of other manufacturers. However, you can add a bit of personalization by purchasing a decal cover-up from companies like SlickWraps and Skin Sticker. In the coming year you'll be able to customize the color of the earcups and headband, just like with the older QC25.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 headphones are the best wireless headphone that has active noise cancellation you can buy today. They're more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, but they are able to block out more ambient noise and feel more sturdy. The app is also better and has a wide range of sound-related options for customization.

The XM3s' excellent audio quality is among their biggest draws and they've been upgraded since their release to provide the best performance. They have a little bit more depth in the frequency spectrum. Their noise cancelling is superior at all levels of volume. They also have better controls like Quick Attention mode and Speak-to-Chat. The latest feature, Adaptive sound control, automatically adjusts the amount of external sound allowed in, based on the location of your body and the activities you're doing.

They're not without some issues, though. The mid-range can sound too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. They have a tendency to boost bass too much in some tracks, which can make the sound seem too loud and heavy. But this is something you can correct in the headphone settings or through EQ adjustments in the Sony app.

The XM3s are an excellent pair of headphones, particularly for commuters and frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, look and feels premium, and last longer than the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a better battery and one of the top noise cancellation features available. They're also more adaptable and better-equipped for mobile use than the Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X Wireless, despite having less impressive noise cancellation. They're not waterproof which could be a deal-breaker for some.