A Complete Guide To Wireless Over Ear Headphones

The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

The PX8s may be costly but their sound and design are superior to other headphones. The design is elevated by the 40mm carbon cone driver and Nappa leather. And a DAC mode can play hi-res audio.

This Bluetooth flagship offers Bose's industry-leading ANC, excellent control and a sleek, comfortable design. The main selling point however, is the battery life.

Sound Quality

In general, wireless headphones are more effective than earbuds because they fully cover your ears. They also have larger, more powerful drivers that deliver high-quality bass and a wide soundstage. Over-ear headphones are more expensive, with the most expensive models starting at about $250/PS250/AU$450. They also often feature active noise cancellation.

It's all about personal preference and the way you use your headphones. If you prefer comfort over audio quality and want to listen to music while in a noisy setting, a pair like the Jabra E50 or JBL Move Wireless are good choices. If you want to spend a bit more, the IMG Throne Gold headphones are awe-inspiring in sound quality and battery life while the Focal Bathys are specifically designed for serious audiophiles, with their DAC mode that supports hi-res audio over USB-C.

There are some excellent headphones that fall in the mid-tier price bracket. A variety of brands provide headphones that sound great at a reasonable cost. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a great example, with a powerful bass and a bright treble for pop and rock and a clear mid-range that makes instruments and vocals prominent. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another solid option, with improved ANC and a useful companion app that has presets for various listening styles. If you're a big fan of Bose's premium headphones consider the QC35 II for a similar experience, but with better passive noise cancellation and a more durable design.

Audiophiles have trained ears and are able to hear the difference between headphones. Even casual listeners can discern the distinction between wired and wireless headphones. Wireless technology has many issues that could impact the quality of audio. Audio codecs, for example can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and latency of wireless transmissions, which can cause distortion and loss of detail.

Thankfully the issue is much better with modern wireless headphones that make use of the most up-to-date Bluetooth technology and support advanced audio codecs such as Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless over-ear headphones we test have top-quality audio quality for a reasonable price.

Noise Cancellation

Whether you want to block out the noise of your office or catch some shut-eye on the plane, wireless over-ear headphones are a great choice. These large headphones are usually more comfortable than earbuds. Some models also feature active noise cancellation, which helps to make your music and audio more clear.

Active noise cancellation uses microphones to detect noise in the surrounding area and employ frequencies to block it, effectively separating you from your surroundings. The majority of over-ear headphones that support this feature include a microphone that is built-in to ensure that your voice can be heard clearly when you make phone calls. If you're seeking a pair of low-cost wireless noise cancelling headphones look into the Audio-Technica M20xBT headphones, which come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These over-ear headphones make an excellent choice for those who commute and are small enough to fit into a bag or purse.

If you want to invest a little more into your audio experience The Focal Bathys are a fantastic pair of high-end wireless over-ear headphones with excellent audio quality and advanced noise cancellation. The first wireless headphones made by a French premium audio company The Focal Bathys are an audiophile's dream. They feature an open back design and luxurious materials like leather and aluminum detailing. The headphones are loaded with features, including a companion app that includes an equalizer with a graphic design and presets for fine-tuning your listening experience. They provide excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers as well as the acoustic leather cups. Additionally, they can playback audio losslessly which allows them to function as premium hi-fi headphones wired.

Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless headphones are a great option for those on a tight budget. They're lightweight and comfortable, with a good sound, and noise cancellation that is impressive. These headphones have a wide selection of features such as ANC and ambient awareness modes, touch controls as well as aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT600ANC are among the very few headphones that come with an adjustable ambient awareness mode which allows you to listen to the surrounding noise at a lower volume without turning off the music.

Battery Life

The worst thing you could happen is to be depleted midway through the long commute or workout. Wireless headphones do away with cords and are a much more practical option. But their battery power drains over time, so you require a pair with exceptional endurance capabilities.

Some models are able to stay up and running for several days or weeks on one charge. This is a long-lasting feature that comes with compromises. In order to achieve this, manufacturers have to reduce the size of their battery or cut back on other features. The best wireless headphones are an ideal balance between battery life and performance.

Over-ear headphones are equipped with larger batteries but also use more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets, on contrary, have a more compact design, which allows them to be more mobile. However, they don't have the same noise-blocking features as their bulkier counterparts.

In terms of battery longevity, the Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless have set a new standard in wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for upto 60 hours with ANC. They can easily outlast top-of-the-line headphones in a similar price range like Sony's W1000XM5 and Bose's S740III.

Similarly, Focal's debut wireless headphones are a true audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 over-ear headphones feature an open-back design that's comfortable to wear and easy to look at. They offer a lively sound profile with an emphasis on thumping bass and bright trebles. The Focal headphones Px8 also include a companion application that lets you customize the sound.

Focal's headphones are among the most expensive on the market. This is partly due to their premium materials and premium design. The headphones also have a fast-charge feature that lets you enjoy two hours of listening within just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is a good option if you're willing to the loss of battery life in exchange for better sound quality and a more comfortable fit.

Comfort

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds rest on the ears instead of securing them. The ear pads press less against your earlobes and allow you to enjoy your listening sessions for a longer time. Ear cups also seal in the music, making it more immersive. This can also enhance audio clarity since you can listen to every detail of a song without being distracted by other noise or the sound of your own voice.

On the other hand, most over-ear headphones aren't as portable as earbuds. They are more difficult to put in backpacks or pockets due to their bulkier design and lack of a folding mechanism.  Best over ear wireless headphones  is also required to protect them when they are not in use. While many headphones come with a carry case, this can be a burden and be a hinderance for those who prefer to listen to music on the go.

This pair of wireless headphones is a great option for audiophiles that require high-quality headphones that can be worn while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone offers excellent comfort as well as sound quality and noise cancellation at a reasonable cost. The headband and earcups are made of premium materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The quality of the sound is superior to its predecessor, with greater clarity and more enticing sound. With a companion application that includes an EQ and presets, you can adjust the sound to suit your preferences.

Another top option is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones, that offer premium design with plenty of style and comfort. These headphones are available in a variety of colors, and come with premium leather. They look stylish enough to pair with a suit or evening dress. These headphones' default sound profile is a bass-heavy and produces more energy and thump that complements EDM hip-hop, EDM, and other genres of dance music. The Focal audio app comes with an inbuilt graphic equalizer that helps you correct the sound of vocals and instruments.

It's hard to say which type of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience will depend on the individual's preference. If you prefer headphones for over-ear use with a greater padding, choose the one with moderate clamping force. This will prevent your earlobes feeling sore even when ANC is turned on.