Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts anywhere, without the need to run an audio cable from your device. These headphones are ideal for public transport, in the office or at home.
Wireless headphones with over-ears can feature an elegant design and superior noise cancellation. They usually come with a stylish storage case.
Soundcore Q30
A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018 The new over-ears appear better, feel stronger and generally feel more polished. They're still mostly made of plastic, but the hinges are a bit more secure and the soft protein leather ear cups are a bit larger. You can replace the 3.5mm cord for a higher quality USB-C cable to use them with portable Hi-Res devices and stationary players. They also have dual microphones that work well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app offers a vast range of EQ presets that can be adjusted and saved so you can listen to music or podcasts in the style you prefer. This is what makes these headphones stand out from most other ANC headphones, and the Soundcore app is very easy to use.
When ANC is turned on, the Q30's 40mm drivers effectively cut out almost all background noise, making for an extremely pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound signature is natural, however it lags it is a bit treble. Some might be disappointed by the bass response (we have had better results with the Bass Booster equalizer). However, you can easily rectify this using the Soundcore app, since there's an equalizer with 8 bands to allow you to tweak.
The left earcup has a power button, a pairing button, and a USB-C charging port. The right ear cup features play/pause, volume up/down buttons. Double-clicking these buttons lets you skip tracks or repeat the previous one. They also come with an option to speak to them, so you can request them to change the mode or set an alarm. You can also cover the right ear cup with your hand to enable ambient modes so that you can hear the world around you without removing the headphones.
The battery life on these headphones is fantastic as well. In our tests with ANC switched on the Q30 was able to last for nearly an hour longer than the other headphones. This allows you to enjoy the long flight, or a full day at work. They can be charged quickly by using the USB-C cable that comes with them, and you'll see warnings when they're about to run empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of high-quality over-ear Bluetooth headphones that feature active noise cancellation, as well as Bluetooth playback. They are designed to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or on the go. The headphones are a little bit more expensive than similar headphones, but their exceptional sound is what makes them stand out.
The Focal Bathys are packaged in a small elegant white box with a fabric finish. It contains everything you'll need. The package includes a fold-flat headphone carrying case, USB-C to USB-C cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.
The 600mAh battery can last for a full day of casual listening. They also include an audio input so that you can make use of wired. Wirelessly, they're connected via Bluetooth. You can control their functions using an app (now called Focal & Naim in the same way as English Naim's products that are network-aware) or by pressing the button on the left earcup that scrolls through ANC profiles like silent, soft transparent,' and full.
Using the app allows you to change various settings, including the brightness of the LED as well as EQ presets that include a "music profile' that sounds brighter and more neutral than other presets and their battery duration. You can also choose the ANC level and mode as well as select an 'acoustic environment' to adjust the sensitivity to mimic the sound of headphones in a different acoustic room.
The Focal Bathys have an incredibly bass-rich profile that gives additional warmth and punch to your favorite tracks. As a result, vocals and instruments are nudged back in the mix and sound muffled, while details like cymbals are not as prominent as you'd expect on other headphones. The headphones are also less effective at active noise cancellation compared to other over-ears with more advanced technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has a stellar reputation for its headphones, and the WH-1000XM5 headphones are no exception. It is the best of the over-ear headphone market, which is a mainstream market and also falls within the 'luxury' lifestyle market where brands like Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. The XM5s are expensive, but if you can, there aren't many better wireless over-ear headphones.
The XM5s are loaded with a number of features that simplify the lives of the listener, and also automate tasks that they would be required to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music to near-high-resolution) as well as Bluetooth's LDAC Technology are included. This lets high-quality music to be streamed at bitrates that are higher than Bluetooth. The built-in microphone is capable of making calls hands-free.
Like the previous generation of WH headphones the XM5s excel at noise cancellation. They are one of the best at cutting down on the continuous drones that can be heard in underground and train carriages. The XM5s are great at their job of separating listeners from traffic noises of busy airports and streets also.
The sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s do not have as many details in the low-frequency range as the XM4, but, they do have an increased sense of clarity and a greater sense of openness. The bass in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head shows off the Sonys' power and definition without affecting the rest of the music. The XM5s also have the ability to provide precise and accurate bass notes in Massive Attack's Angel.
Battery life is also excellent, offering up to 30 hours of audio with ANC active and 40 hours when it's turned off. This is plenty for a weekend trip or a long period of use.
The XM5s are not dust or water resistant. In fact, Sony recommends that you not sweat on them or take them out in the rain. This may not be a problem for many people, but it could be a problem for those who spends much of their time at the gym or lives in a city that is rainy.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones that fit over the ear equipped with Bluetooth technology and noise cancelling. They have 40mm dynamic drivers that are designed by Apple and have a a neutral audio profile that concentrates on the highs and mids without going overboard on either end of the spectrum. This makes them ideal for both movies and music. They also offer superior fidelity when compared to other headphones.
The headphones have a lightweight build that feels comfortable on the head. The ear cups are constructed of memory foam and covered with woven fabric, fit comfortably over the ears, do not put pressure on the sides or forehead. Ear cups can be rotated and tilted to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges feature a strong but not too robust clamping force that ensures that the earcups stay in place during listening sessions.
Switch on noise cancellation by pressing a small button on the top of the right earcup. There's also beats studio 3 wireless bluetooth noise cancelling headphones that can be pushed, like a jog-dial, similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can turn to control volume and press the button once twice or three times to playback control. Siri can be activated by pressing and pressing the button. The buttons are simple to use and well-placed however, I would like to have an option to power off or shut off the headphones when in use. The headphones automatically switch to standby mode after being removed from your ear or placed in their case, and they only wake up when you place them on your head again.
Spatial audio is a cool feature. It utilizes accelerometers, gyroscopes, and iPhones and iPads to determine where you are moving. Then, it repositions the sound to make it seem to be coming from that particular location. This creates an immersive theater-like experience for movies and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only catch is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to use it, and you won't be able enjoy it on other devices.
The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd be a bit ripped off going into an Apple Store and spending $549 on the headphones if I knew they'd be outdone in a year by the second-generation model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and better battery life, making it hard to justify the extra cost for the majority of people.