The Best Over-Ear Headphones
If you travel on public transit or work in an office with a lot of chattering colleagues or simply want to listen to your music without the distraction of outside distractions, over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. We've reviewed the top headphones that offer superior sound quality with active noise cancellation.
Mpow Over Ear Headphones
These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a nice robust and sturdy design. They also offer high-quality audio that is impressive for their price range. They are designed to be over-ear headphones with Ear cups that sit comfortably over the ears to block out noise from the outside. The earpads consist of a modestly thick cushion that insulates your ears sufficiently to muffle out a good portion of ambient sounds, though they do not have a noise cancellation feature that is active. The earpads are heavier than 11 ounces, but they're comfortable to wear for long periods.
The Mpow headphones have simple and similar to other designs of over-ear headphones on the market. The headband that connects the two earcups has a hinge and can be folded up to store or transport. The left earcup contains the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. The right ear cup has an audio microphone for hands-free calls.
The Mpow headphones have a very good sound quality, however they do not have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. Their PRTF accuracy and activation scores are higher than average for Bluetooth headphone models which should give a wide and spacious soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is below the average. This means they sound more closed-in and less open compared to headphones with earcups that are larger and open.
The treble extension is decent, so you should get a crisp and clear sound that will work with a wide range of genres. The mids of the Sony headphones are more distinct, which creates an even more lively sound. This is ideal for music with lots of instruments. Some people find the bass to be a bit loud however, you can adjust this to your preference by altering the equalizer settings of your audio player.
The Mpow headphones have a fairly long battery life and can be utilized in wired mode when the battery is exhausted. The headphones come with a USB charger as well as the cable, so you can enjoy your favourite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45 day money-back guarantee, as well as an 18-month warranty for these headphones. Their customer service is also known for being responsive.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 are the latest over-ear headphones to grace the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and are part of a larger line of wireless headphones, which includes the PI5 & PI7. Unboxed, design of these headphones instantly invokes an impression of luxury. The use of metals and soft materials on the ear cups give them a high-end feel. They also are comfortable on the ears and head although they are slightly heavier than their counterparts. The ears are easy to snap on and off, so they can be replaced if they wear out.
Like many of the best headphones, these ones come with active noise cancellation that reduces the sound of outside sounds while allowing you to listen to the music. The technology isn't perfect however, it does a fantastic job of keeping train and plane engine sounds from your ear canals, without affecting the balance between music tracks.
One thing that sets the PX7 S2 apart from their rivals is the soundstage they offer, which offers plenty of space and strong separation between distinct audio elements. This brings a clarity to music that can't always be found on other Bluetooth headphones.
The PX7 S2s might not be as lightweight as their counterparts, but they do come with a superb carry case. It's also well-padded, and the headphones can fold flat for easy storage when not in use.
The earcups are covered in a soft, leather-like material which is very luxurious to the sensation. The earcups are lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to provide maximum comfort and doesn't squeeze too tight. This helps avoid headaches.
The headphones have a range of features that include Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to connect with two devices at once. They are compatible with all the popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as high-res audio, if your streaming service allows it. They also have an audio amplifier which gives them an additional boost when used with electronics that aren't powered like laptops.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 is the most recent model in Sony's premium headphones that are over-ear and noise cancelling. noise cancelling headset with mic 're a fantastic upgrade from their predecessors, namely the WH-1000XM2s and the WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved on its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth generation headphones are now able to block out low-frequency sounds, such as subway car and plane engine rumbles. They can also recognize your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings to match.
You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant to control your music, get directions and more. The microphones on the ear cups are upgraded so that they can be used to make hands-free phone calls and also to control Siri/Google Assistant. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, which means that they can be connected and pair faster.
In our lab evaluations, the WH-1000XM5 have earned high scores for comfort, ease of use and audio quality. The lightweight headset can be worn for long listening sessions without feeling tight on the head. The ears can be adjusted to accommodate different head sizes. The headphones fold flat which makes them easy to pack into backpacks or suitcases.
The ear cups have a slight curvature and the headband is more refined. This makes it easier to conceal points of assembly. The new synthetic leather material provides durability and a luxurious. The earcup cavities are also a bit larger and are more comfortable against the ear, which may add a little pressure to the head after wearing them for prolonged durations of time.
Some of the core features of the WH-1000XM4s have been transferred to the XM5. You can still swipe and tap on the right earcup to change songs or pause the audio and open Ambient Sound Mode. You can also place your hands over the left ear cup to temporarily reduce the volume of your music and boost ambient sound, which is useful when you need to hear what's going on around you.
The XM5s are equipped with a few minor enhancements which make them an excellent choice for headsets that can block noise. The new ANC gives greater isolation from low-frequency noise, and the headphones will pause the music when removed off your head to conserve power. Transparent listening mode lets in more external sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.
Skullcandy ATH-ADX700
For those that are looking to get a set of headphones for their gaming setup the ATHXX700 is a fantastic choice. They have high-quality sound and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are also light and won't feel heavy on your head or ears. They come with self-adjusting 3D wings that eliminate pressure and adjust to accommodate your head. The headphones include a cable that is easily connected to your audio source.
These are open-air headphones that look quite unique, thanks to their massive earcups as well as honeycomb covers made of black which reveal the drivers inside. The unique design makes these headphones stand out however they also have a lot to offer. The self-adjusting wing structure and the new 53mm drivers that feature bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils as well as the aluminum casing that is lightweight and honeycomb are the main reasons these headphones are special and worth the investment.
The ATH ADX700 features a wide frequency response, which allows for natural, clear treble. The sound isn't as bassy as other models because they are designed for the general music lover who does not like being bombarded by low frequencies. They're an excellent pair of headphones for gamers as they allow you to hear the voices of your friends and NPCs without being masked by a loud bass.
The ATH-ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require a high-quality amp to operate at its best. When used with a portable player it's not a problem, but using a headphone amplifier makes it easier to control the sound and enjoy its full range.
The ATH-ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable with a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath that helps resist tangling and damage. It also comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads feature a plush velvet material that initially itchy and soft, but will eventually break into. The earpads are also composed of a pliable, raised material that increases comfort and durability.