Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts or music anywhere, without the need to run an audio wire to your device. These headphones are great to use on public transport, in the office or at home.
Wireless over-ear cans are offered in a variety of designs and noise cancelling features. They typically come with a sleek storage case.
Soundcore Q30
A major improvement over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018 The new over-ears are more attractive, feel more durable and are generally more polished. They're still largely plastic but the hinges are tighter and the soft leather ear cups are larger. You can also switch the 3.5mm cable for a premium USB-C model to make use of them with stationary Hi-Fi systems and mobile Hi-Res players. They also come with dual mics built-in that worked flawlessly in our tests using FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app comes with a broad variety of EQ presets that can be saved and altered to play podcasts and music in the style that you like. The Soundcore app is simple to use and sets these headphones apart.
When ANC is on the Q30's 40mm drivers block out most of the ambient noise and make for excellent listening. The Q30's sound is natural, however it lags it is a bit treble. Some may be disappointed by the bass response (we got better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer). However, you can easily solve this issue by using the Soundcore application, as there is an 8-band equalizer to help you tinker.
These headphones have an power button and a pairing button on the left ear cup as well as a USB-C port for charging. The right ear cup features play/pause, volume up/down buttons. Double-clicking on these controls allows you to skip tracks or repeat previous ones. You can also make use of voice commands to ask them to switch modes or set alarms. The right ear cup can be covered with your hands to activate ambient mode, so that you can hear what's happening around you without removing the headphones.
The Q30 headphones offer a long battery life. In our tests with ANC turned on the Q30 ran for almost an hour longer than its rivals. This allows you to enjoy a long flight, or a long day at work. They can be quickly recharged with the included USB-C cable and you'll get warnings when they're about to run empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of powerful over-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer active noise cancellation, as well as Bluetooth playback. These headphones are made to be high-end, premium headphones that can be used at home or on the move. The headphones are a more expensive than other headphones, but their superior sound is the reason they stand out.
The Focal Bathys are packed in a compact attractive white box with a fabric finish. It includes everything you'll require. The headphone carry case folds flat, and comes with a case, USB-C-to-USB-C cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.
The battery's capacity is 600mAh, which can last for a full day of listening to music casually. They also include an audio input so that you can connect wired. Wirelessly, they're connected via Bluetooth. You can control their functions with an app (now named Focal & Naim in the same way as English sister brand Naim’s products that are network-aware) or the dedicated button located on the left earcup which scrolls through ANC profiles like'silent','soft transparent,' and 'full.
The app allows you to adjust different settings, like the brightness of the LEDs as well as the EQ presets (including a'music' profile that sounds more neutral and brighter than the other profiles) and the battery life. You can also select the ANC mode and level as well as select an 'acoustic environment setting to alter the sensitivity to simulate the sound of headphones in a different room.
The Focal Bathys have a bass-rich sound profile that adds extra energy and warmth to your favorite tracks. As a result, vocals and instruments are nudged back into the mix, and sound muffled, while details like cymbals are somewhat less prominent than you might expect on some other headphones. The headphones are also less effective in active noise cancellation compared to other over-ears with higher-end technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has a fine reputation for its headphones and the WH-1000XM5 is not an exception. It sits at the upper end of the'mainstream' over-ear headphone market, edging into the luxury lifestyle category where brands like Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc hang out. The XM5s can be expensive however, if you can afford it get them, you won't find a better wireless headphones.
The XM5s are loaded with a number of features that make life easier for the listener and automate some tasks they would otherwise have to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to close to high-res) is also included and also support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. This allows for streaming of high-quality audio at bitrates that are higher than standard Bluetooth. There's even a built-in microphone that can be used for making calls hands-free.
The XM5 headphones aren't any different from the previous generation of WH headphones in regards to noise cancellation. These headphones are one of the best at reducing the constant drones that can be heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s also excel at separating listeners from the noises of busy streets and airports.
The sound quality is very good. The XM5s do not have as many details in the low-frequency range as the XM4, but they do have more clarity and openness. For instance, the bass track on Rage Against The Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real force and definition without flattening everything else. The XM5s are also able to produce precise and precise bass notes in Massive Attack's Angel.
Battery life is also very good, providing up to 30 hours of listening with ANC active and 40 hours when it's off. This is more than enough to cover the weekend or a few days of heavy use.
The XM5s are not waterproof or dust-proof. Sony actually advises against sweating into them or wearing them in the rain. This may not be a big deal for everyone else, but for those who spend long hours in the gym or live in a humid area this could be a significant issue.
Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max is a pair of wireless headphones over-ear that come with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple designed dynamic drivers measuring 40mm with a neutral audio profile that emphasizes highs and mids, but not going too loud. This makes them perfect for both movies and music. They also provide higher fidelity than most rival headphones.
The headphones are light and comfortable on the head. The earcups, which are made of memory foam covered with woven fabric, and sit comfortably over the ear and do not place pressure on the sides or forehead. The earcups can also tilt and rotate to accommodate various head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges offer a firm, but not too strong clamping force to ensure that the ear cups remain in place throughout listening sessions.
A small button located on the the right ear cup allows you to switch between noise cancelling modes. There's also a button that can be pushed, like a jog-dial, similar to over ear wireless headphones the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can turn to control volume and press it once twice or three times to playback control. Siri is activated by pressing and pressing the button. The buttons are simple to use and well-placed however, I would like to see the power button that could turn off the headphones when in use. The headphones automatically go into standby mode when removed from your ears or placed in their case. They only wake up when you slide them over your head once more.
Spatial audio is a cool feature. It uses the accelerometers, gyroscopes, and iPhones and iPads to determine where you're moving. Then, it alters the position of the sound so that they appear to originate from the location you are in. This creates a cinema-like experience for videos and movies that were recorded in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. Only iOS devices are able to listen to audio in spatial format.
The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I'd feel a little ripped off if I spent $549 in an Apple Store knowing that the newer model would be better after a year. AirPods Pro are more expensive however they offer better battery life and advanced features.