The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear completely cover your ears and can block out ambient sound. Choose headphones with active noise cancellation and a battery life of at 20 hours or more.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature amazing ANC as well as a handy app, and easy control via the ear. The default sound profile provides the sound of a thump and a punch, however vocals and instruments can be pushed to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are a great pair of headphones for music lovers who want to use the best wireless over ear headset. They are light and have a soft carrying bag and can be folded flat to fit into your bag. Their touch controls are simple to use and intuitive, and their battery lasts an impressive 30 hours with ANC switched off. They even have an auto-pause feature which will turn off your headphones when they are removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH1000XM5 works with Sony Headphones Connect, which includes a range of features that can be utilized to customize the audio experience. The app can also be used to track your location and adapt the sound quality of your environment. The microphone is built in for hands-free calling. The Sony WH1000XM5 can play music wirelessly through Bluetooth or wired using the cable provided. They support aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs and aptX adaptive codecs that provide high-quality audio over Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 sports a similar headband and earcups as the XM4 but is more lightweight and comfortable. These headphones are comfortable to wear and are suitable for extended periods. They are also ideal for longer flights and commutes. They offer excellent noise cancellation performance that eliminates most background noise while maintaining clarity and clarity. The Sony WH-1000XM5 have decent bass for a pair of closed-back headphones. They provide a great soundstage, with the clear separation of vocals and instruments.
The low latency is a major positive. The lag is so small that it's barely noticeable and they can be used for gaming on the go. They're not the best for gaming in a competitive manner but they're excellent for those who wish to utilize them for entertainment or for making calls hands-free.
Sony is committed to incorporating intelligent features into its products and the WH1000XM5 model is no different. The active noise cancellation is one of the best I've heard and they come with a suite of smart functions to enhance the overall listening experience. They also have Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to near hi-res quality. They also work with Sony's LDAC technology which streams audio with higher bitrates over Bluetooth (although not as high-quality as an DAC for headphones that is dedicated to headphone use).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Since the launch of the first generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have been regularly featured on the top lists of wireless headsets and putting them in the same category with the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest model that takes the original headphones to the next level with improved ANC performance and a refreshed look.
The 40mm bio-cellulose drivers in the earcups are placed in a way that they directly hit your eardrums. This delivers an audio experience that is more intimate than most other closed-back headphones. This is a bold claim however, one that the PX7 S2 delivers on. The vocals are clear and the bass is deep when needed.
The PX7 S2 is also very excellent at making calls. It has a crisp, clear sound that does not drown out your voice. They also provide a fast charge that allows you to return fully charged in only two hours, and they're compatible with high-resolution audio, thanks to an aptX adaptive Bluetooth codec that allows them to play 24-bit music.
For the majority of listeners, however the most important change is the enhanced noise-canceling and audio quality. In our tests, the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated cabin noise with remarkable effectiveness, and they excelled when we performed Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent insight into the shifting dynamics between the solo voice, wind trio, and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s aren't just noise-canceling, but they also have a variety of other features that make them highly comparable to other top-rated headphones. They're wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which means you can connect two devices at the same time, and they have a built-in microphone that allows hands-free calling using your phone's assistant. The construction is sturdy and premium, so they should last you for many years.
Of course, they're not perfect. The clamp force we used on our test models was a little less than we'd like, and there aren't as many extra features on the app as other options, but these aren't major issues. The PX7 S2s is a fantastic wireless headset that beats out other headsets in its class. It's hard to imagine a competitor to match them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys is a great option for audiophiles who appreciate high-quality sound and are in search of a wireless noise-canceling headphone. They're the French audio company's very first ANC headphones that use Bluetooth and offer amazing sound in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to a device via USB to enjoy hi-fi quality sound with up to 24 bit/192kHz (the headphones are also capable of blocking external sound through its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are stunning, with their glossy finish and swooping curvatures like Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are made from premium materials such as magnesium and aluminum that make them feel durable and comfortable. They're also worth the cost.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys provide a clear and lively sound quality that easily outperforms similarly priced consumer ANC options such as the Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode lets them be extended, making them a great choice for true hifi enthusiasts.
Using the Focal & Naim app users can alter their headphone's playback controls, virtual assistant, and Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app allows users to choose between soft and silent intensities for ANC. They can also adjust the brightness of LEDs on the ear cups of the headphones, and adjust the EQ settings. The app isn't complete however it provides enough functionality to be worth the cost of downloading.
The only drawback is the active noise cancellation, which doesn't live up to the quality of the competition. The headphone isn't able to block out all the background noise as the most rated XM5 or AirPods Max, and its treble accuracy is subpar, with a muddy mid - to high range that detracts from the sound of instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't very portable. They're not ideal for travel because their ear cups don't fold and they are heavier than other models. They're more suited to a home environment where they can be used for long listening sessions or as an example headphone for sound engineering purposes. The Bathys are comfortable to wear over long periods of time, despite their size and bulk.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N is a great pair of wireless over ear headsets at a reasonable price. The noise-cancelling technology is excellent and can do a lot to reduce ambient noise. beats studio3 wireless over ear headphones are great for those who commute or travel. Their matte finish and robust construction give them a touch of high-end quality.
They are similar in design to Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They feature a slim plastic headband, with the standard ear cups hinges. They're light and comfortable, but they feel a bit too tight for my taste. In the box, they come with an USB-C port to charge, an 3.5mm jack and a decent length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth pairing, which means that you can connect to two devices at the same time should you choose to.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid tech for noise cancellation did an excellent job of reducing ambient sound. There were only a few noticeable blips when walking through Waterloo Station and London Victoria. The sound-silencers did not block every sound around them, but they did struggle with low-frequency sounds such as the rumbling engine sounds of buses and trains.
Streaming music through the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth, and it showed a low amount of harmonic distortion. I tried a variety of genres and discovered that they were able to handle the intricate interplay between instruments well. It did an impressive job of controlling the bass in rock tracks and keeping the mix focused.
I love the ability to adjust the Sony Headphones Connect app to tailor the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to your preference and include a variety of audio presets. You can also utilize the app to activate DSEE which can boost the quality of compressed content and improves its sound quality.
The WH-CH720N offers a great value for PS130. It lacks some of Sony's best features (such as Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention) however, it does come with a lot of excellent features. 360 Reality Audio, smart controls, and DSEE upscaling are all included. The only thing that is not included is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support I think it would have been a great inclusion.