8 Tips To Boost Your Headphones Game
Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears to immerse you in sound. They tend to be tuned for audiophiles and come with features like active noise cancellation and control applications.
The Focal Bathys is a wireless pair that comes with ANC, a mobile app to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 headphones are Sony's latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation range. They feature a new design, improved ANC and a host of the same features as their predecessors, but with higher-end materials and a slightly higher-quality sound.
With only 250g, they're a light weight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're extremely comfortable to wear, no matter if you're reading or listening the audiobook. The headband is soft, and it has a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.
With a sound quality that will please those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but it isn't too loud or harsh. The earphones feature a wide and open soundstage, with good instrument separation. This lets you hear the details in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe forward to go to the next track, back to hear the previous one, and up and down to regulate the volume. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices at the same time and thanks to a built-in sensor, they will automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can activate ambient mode by placing your hand on the right earcup. This lets you hear the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.
Other useful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is impressive. In our test we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes when the ANC turned on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.
The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone that can be used for voice calls. There's no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise-canceling is also excellent and these headphones are great for public transportation or in the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, delivering top-quality performance and features. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features like 24-bit wireless streaming and active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. The custom-designed 40mm drivers are carefully angled inside each earcup for a more focused, deep listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer exceptional call clarity, even in noisy environments. A remote inline and microphone let you control your calls and music on any compatible device.
These headphones have a similar sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups and a silver sheen for the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit snugly on the cranium, yet never feel tight. The new design and shape required a lot of time to perfect, providing an easy clamping force that isn't too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.
They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear during long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them up for easy transport in the protective case.
The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2, with the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio aswell for a tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to signal rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.
The B&W app provides the same features as the hardware onboard buttons such as bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes, and more. When you play music on your iPhone, the app displays album covers and track titles. Popular extras such as music presets, soundscapes and music mode aren't available, however.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The HD 800 S is the successor to the legendary headphones by Sennheiser and is designed to meet the most demanding requirements. The design and construction of the headphones has been optimized to provide the highest resolution in detail that covers all the spectrum of frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic audio you can get from open-back headphones.
The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms which means it requires a top-quality headphone amplifier to operate at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which will increase the output and enhance the quality of sound.
These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mixture of leather and plastic padding. The design is simple and doesn't look like the most expensive pair of headphones, but they feel premium in the palm and are built to last. They come with a carry pouch and an additional audio cable, as well as an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.
With an unison sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, though they are a bit light on bass. The open-back design produces a wide out-of-head soundstage. The treble quality is excellent, with minor drops and peaks. The treble region also has a linearity and you won't have issues with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.
Despite not having a high-pitched bass, they still deliver impact and dynamism when needed. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who like rock music that has punchy bass, but may not sound as good as the other models on this list.
head phones have a wonderful midrange. They are linear with a slight incline in the upper mids that won't be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations which is an added bonus.
The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fit make them a top option. They're expensive however, you're getting a pair of headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform well in any situation.
Anker Soundcore Life q20
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will provide the perfect solution for anyone looking to kill some time or simply needs a cheap set of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a basic bag that will protect the headphones when you place them in the bag. Their battery can last multiple long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles when on a plane, though their audio profile is a little heavy and warm.
The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and clearly marked. On the left earcup, you'll see buttons to pair and power up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup, you'll find controls for playing back media which include a multi-function button that allows you to activate the voice assistant on your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make calls using hands-free technology.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver an immersive and deep listening experience thanks to the custom 40mm dynamic drivers that offer certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones have an amplitude range of up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling is designed to filter out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sound.
One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they do not support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means you won't in a position to benefit from the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.
In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam ear cups and headband are soft enough to wear for long periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups also be rotated to accommodate your unique head shape. You can also listen to your music via a 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB cable is included for charging the battery.