17 Reasons Not To Avoid Over Ear Headphones Wireless Best
Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also permit larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a larger soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.
The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes and impressive battery life with a stylish and distinct design.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has improved an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are less heavy, more durable and feature an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also include an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancellation works better than ever before, removing any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer battery life than many competitors.
These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them if needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.
The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to tapping on a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices more clear and precise during calls. This is an obvious and nice touch.
The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they're among the top wireless headphones that we have ever test. They're comfortable, feel well made, and have an outstanding battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used passively with a TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to conserve power.
The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible, as well as a companion app to tweak the audio performance. The B&Ws are better built and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, they support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless files.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most current version of a headset which is a popular choice among commuters and passengers all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.
Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature an elegant design and feel that oozes quality. The headband, constructed of plastic, provides an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you expand or retract your earcups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that fit over your ears without putting pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can use them when you're wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.
Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price point. The frequencies are tinny and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent but is lacking power.
One thing that's not included is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for several years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.
You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's audio and voice settings.
The QC45s come with four microphones inbuilt to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The quality of calls is generally excellent however, the headphones do not have the ability to mute your voice during playback, which is a feature that other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out in February 2022 added manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a design that let listeners know they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.
The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more from them with more than 40 hours of playtime on average of a single charge. If you do require a recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone has to be charged.
For headphones for this price, they offer a lot of features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You will need to select your source device by hand each time you listen.) wireless over ear headphones have a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to control your music as well as make calls.
Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient noise by an average of 9 decibels. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still fairly effective.
In our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys performed well overall with a frequency response that mostly corresponds to the SoundGuys preference curve, with just slight differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys are bassy sound that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem veiled.
Wear them wherever you want without fearing that other people will hear your music. Their microphone is suitable to record via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout into the category. The new model improves on the previous generation with modern design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.
The improvements are subtle but add up to an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lay flat and aren't foldable, but they do come with a nice hardshell case to protect them on the go. The Momentum 4s are also device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones from recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.
The most obvious change here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature activated. This is more than what the majority of the competitors offer and enough for a long-distance trip without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge them.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. The only issue he has is they lack of gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit bubbly, but not full. There's also not much depth to the lows.
The Momentum 4s are comfortable and shouldn't put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be uncomfortable when worn in the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them to suddenly wake up and can cause distraction when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of rest by default, and can be switched off with the power button.