Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts anywhere, without the need to run an audio wire to your device. wireless over ear headphones uk 're an excellent choice for public transport, at work or at home.
Wireless over-ear headphones may have a premium design and exceptional noise cancellation. 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 are generally more polished. The hinges are stronger, and the soft cups are slightly larger. They're still made of plastic, however they are more polished. You can switch the 3.5mm cord for a high quality USB-C cable to connect them to portable Hi-Res devices and stationary players. They also have dual mics built-in that worked flawlessly in our tests with FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app comes with a broad selection of EQ presets that can be saved and altered to listen to podcasts or music in the style you like. This is the thing that sets these headphones apart from most other ANC headphones and the Soundcore app is extremely easy to use.
When ANC is on the Q30's 40mm drivers effectively cut out almost all ambient noise and make for very pleasant listening. The Q30's sound quality 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 fix this by using the Soundcore app, as there's an eight-band equalizer to help you tinker.
The headphones come with a power button and pairing button on the left earcup as well as a USB-C port for charging. The right ear cup has play/pause, and the volume up and down buttons. By double-clicking these controls, you can skip tracks or replay the previous one. They also come with the ability to speak which allows you to request to change the mode or set an alarm. You can also cover the right earcup with your hand to activate ambient modes so that you can hear the world around you without removing the headphones.
The battery life of these headphones is great and the battery life is also excellent. In our tests with ANC switched on the Q30 lasted nearly an hour longer than the other headphones. This gives you plenty of time to prepare for a long flight or working for a long time. The USB-C cord included in the kit allows you to quickly charge them. You'll also get a warning when the battery is about to run out.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of high-quality headphones for over-ear use that offer both active noise cancellation as well as Bluetooth playback. These headphones are designed to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or on the go. They're slightly more expensive than similar headphones, but their superior audio quality is the primary selling feature.
The Focal Bathys come in a small, slim and attractive white fabric-finished retail box that contains all the accessories you need inside. There's also a fold-flat carry case for the headphones, a USB-C to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.
They're powered by a decent 600mAh battery that can get you through a whole day of listening to music and also have an audio input for wired use. When used wirelessly they're paired via Bluetooth and you'll be able manage their functions via an app (now known as Focal and Naim which is probably in the same line as their English sister brand Naim's products for audio that are network-aware) or using the dedicated button on the left ear cup which scrolls between ANC profiles like'soft','silent transparent' and full.
The app allows you to alter various settings like the brightness of the LED, EQ presets including a'music profile' that sounds more neutral and brighter than other presets and their battery life. It also gives you the ability to choose the ANC mode and its level, as well as setting an 'acoustic' environment that adjusts the sensitivity of your audio to simulate what it would sound like when worn in a room with different soundproofing.
The Focal Bathys come with a bass-rich sound profile that adds additional warmth, punch and impact to your favourite tracks. In the end, instruments and vocals are pushed back into the mix and sound muffled, while details like cymbals and vocals are not as prominent as you'd expect on other headphones. The headphones are also less effective at active noise cancellation, compared to other headphones that feature higher-end technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony headphones are renowned for their quality, and the WH1000XM5 is no exception. It is the best of the mainstream over ear headphone market and borders the luxury lifestyle segment where brands like Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. This means that the XM5s have a premium cost, but should you be able to afford it, there are more superior wireless over-ear headphones available.
The XM5s have a lot of features that simplify the lives of the listener, and also automate tasks they would otherwise have to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to near hi-res) is included as well as support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. That allows for streaming of high-quality audio at rates that are higher than traditional Bluetooth. The built-in microphone is capable of making calls hands-free.
The XM5 headphones aren't any different than the previous generation WH headphones in regards to noise cancellation. They're among the best at eliminating the continuous drones that can be heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s also excel in separating the listener from the noises of busy airports and streets.
The sound quality is also top-quality. The XM5s aren't as clear in the low frequencies as the XM4, however, there's a more pronounced sense of clarity and realism also. For example the bass on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys muscles with real force and definition, without reducing the other elements. Similarly, Massive Attack's brooding Angel showcases the XM5's ability to produce accurate and precise bass notes.
Battery life is also good, with up to 30 hours of audio with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's off. This is more than enough to cover the weekend or a few days' heavy use.
The only real drawback here is that the XM5s don't have any dust or water resistance protection. In fact, Sony recommends that you don't sweat into them or take them out in the rain. This might not be a problem for some people, but it might be a problem for anyone who spend a lot of their time at the gym or lives in a city with rain.
Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max is a pair of wireless headphones which feature Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. They have 40mm dynamic drivers that are designed by Apple and have a a neutral audio profile that emphasizes the mids and highs while not going overboard on either ends of the spectrum. They are perfect for movies and music. They also provide superior fidelity when compared to other headphones.
The headphones are light and feel comfortable on your head. The earcups are made of memory foam and covered with weaved fabric. They sit comfortably on the ears without pressing on the sides of the face. The ear cups can tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges have a firm but not overly robust clamping force that ensures that the earcups stay in place throughout listening sessions.
A small button located on the the right earcup allows you to switch between noise cancelling modes. You can also use an earphone-style jog dial with a push button like the digital Crown on the Apple Watch. You can turn it around to control volume and press it once, twice, or three times for playback controls. Pressing and holding the button will activate Siri. The buttons are simple to use and well-placed but I would have liked to have a power button that would shut off the headphones when not in use. The headphones go into standby mode when removed from your ears, or when placed in their case. They will come back to life when you put them on your head.
Spatial audio is another cool feature. It uses the gyroscopes, accelerometers, and iPhones and iPads to determine where you're moving. Then, it alters the position of the sound so that they appear to come 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. The only drawback is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to be used, and you won't be able to experience 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 next year by the new model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and better battery performance, so it's difficult to justify the additional expense for most people.