Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts and music without the requirement to connect an audio wire to your device. They're also a great choice for public transport, while at work or at home.

Wireless over-ear headphones are available in a variety of designs and noise cancelling capabilities. They are typically packaged in a sleek case.

Soundcore Q30

A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears look better, feel sturdier and generally feel more polished. They're still mostly plastic, but the hinges are tighter and the soft leather ear cups are larger. You can also swap out the 3.5mm cable for a better USB-C version so that you can use them with stationary Hi-Fi systems and mobile Hi-Res players. They also have dual mics built-in that worked flawlessly in our tests with FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app offers a wide range of EQ presets that can be saved and altered to listen to podcasts and music in the way you prefer. The Soundcore app is simple to use and makes these headphones stand out.

The Q30's 40mm speaker effectively block almost all ambient sound when ANC is enabled. This results in a very pleasant listening experience. They have a natural sound signature that leans slightly to the treble side, which some might find lacking in bass response (we have had better results using the Bass Booster equalizer). But, you can fix this by using the Soundcore app, since there's an equalizer with 8 bands to allow you to tweak.

The headphones come with a power button and pairing button on the left ear cup and an USB-C port to charge. The right ear cup has play/pause, and the volume up and down buttons. Double-clicking these buttons lets you skip tracks or Www.Headphonesshop.Uk repeat the previous one. They also come with an option to speak to them, so you can request to change the mode or set an alarm. You can also cover the right earcup with your hand to enable ambient modes to allow you to hear the world around you without removing the headphones.

These headphones have a great battery life. In our tests with ANC turned on, the Q30 ran for almost an hour longer than its rivals. This allows you to take advantage of an extended flight or a full day at work. The USB-C cord included in the kit allows you to quickly charge them. You'll also get an alert when the battery is nearing 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're designed as an elite headphones that are great for wolfers.co.kr listening to podcasts and music on the go, but sound amazing when used for audiophile home use as well. They're slightly more expensive than other similar headphones but their superior sound quality is the main selling factor.

The Focal Bathys are packaged in a slim, compact and ivimall.com attractive fabric-finished white retail box with all the accessories you need inside. The package also includes a fold-flat carrying case for the headphones and a USB-C cable to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.

The 600mAh battery 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 paired via Bluetooth. You can control their functions with an app (now called Focal and Naim in line with English sister brand 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 alter various settings, including the LED brightness as well as EQ presets that include a "music profile' that sounds more neutral and brighter than the other ones and their battery life. You can also choose the ANC level and mode as well as set an 'acoustic environments that adjusts the sensitivity in order to simulate the sound of the headphones in a different acoustic room.

The Focal Bathys feature bass-rich, rich sound profiles that delivers extra energy, impact and warmth to your favorite tracks. The result is that instruments and vocals can be muted, while other details such as cymbals may be less prominent than on other headphones. They're also not as effective in active noise cancelation when contrasted to other headphones with more advanced technology such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are well-known for their high-end quality and the WH1000XM5 is no exception. It sits at the upper end of the mainstream over-ear headphone market, but it is also dipping into the 'luxury lifestyle' sector where brands like Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc are a common sight. The XM5s are costly however, if you are able to, there aren't many better wireless headphones.

The XM5s are loaded with features that simplify the lives of listeners and, in a few cases, automate tasks they'd otherwise have to handle manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music that has been compressed to near high-res) and Bluetooth's LDAC Technology are both included. This lets high-quality audio be streamed at bitrates that are higher than Bluetooth. It also has a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free.

As with the previous generation of WH b uetooth headphones, the XM5s excel in noise cancellation. They're among the top in cutting down on the continuous drones that can be heard in underground and train carriages. The XM5s also excel in separating the listener from the hum of busy airports and streets.

The sound quality is also top-quality. The XM5s don't have as much detail in the low-frequency range as the XM4, however they do have an increased sense of clarity and a greater sense of openness. For instance the bass track on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real power and definition without flattening the other elements. The XM5s also have the ability to deliver precise and tight bass notes on Massive Attack's Angel.

Battery life is also good, providing up to 30 hours of audio with ANC active and up to 40 hours when it's turned off. That's more than enough for a weekend trip or several days of heavy usage.

The XM5s do not come with dust or water resistant. In fact, Sony recommends that you avoid sweating on them or wear them in the rain. This may not be a major issue for most people however for those who spend long hours in the gym or live in a humid region this could be a big issue.

Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones over-ear equipped with Bluetooth technology and noise cancelling. Apple designed dynamic drivers measuring 40mm with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids without going too loud. This makes them perfect for movies and music. They also provide higher fidelity than most competing pairs of headphones.

The headphones are lightweight and comfortable on the head. The earcups, which are made of memory foam covered with woven fabric, and fit comfortably over the ears, do not put pressure on the sides or forehead. The ear cups can also be tilted and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges provide a strong, but not too strong clamping force to ensure that the earcups remain in position during listening sessions.

A small button at the top of the right ear cup lets you toggle noise cancelling modes. There's also a button that can be pushed, like a jog-dial, similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can turn to adjust the volume and press once twice or three times to playback control. Pressing and holding the button invokes Siri. The buttons are simple to use and well-placed, however I would have liked to have a power button that would turn off the headphones when they are not in use. The headphones are put into standby mode when removed from your ears or if they are placed in their case. They only return to life when you place them on your head.

Another cool feature is spatial audio, which uses the accelerometers and gyroscopes of the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to determine where you're moving, then repositions sound to appear as if they're coming from those places. This creates a theater-like experience when watching movies and videos recorded in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 or 7.1. Only iOS devices are able to listen to spatial audio.

The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd feel a bit ripped off going into an Apple Store and spending $549 on the headphones if I knew that they'd be outdone next year by the second-generation model. AirPods Pro are more expensive however they offer superior battery life and more advanced features.