Which Over the Ear Headphones Are the Best?

The noise-cancelling headphones can be an absolute blessing for anyone who enjoys listening whether in the office or in the train. Which ones are the best, though?

With a new design, superior sound quality and a wealth of features, Sony's newest flagship headphones offer great value. From the raucous chorus to Sinead's shaking bridge, these headphones deliver amazing clarity and authenticity.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony is a pro at noise cancellation, and its WH-1000XM5 headphones are the best iteration of this line. This model is an excellent pair of headphones, especially for those who commute or are traveling. They're comfortable, have multipoint technology to connect two devices simultaneously, and have the best ANC Sony's ever produced. They're also light and provide about 27 hours of playback without charging, which is enough for a week's worth commuting or one long-haul flight.

The WH1000XM5s are sleek and minimalist in design. They are made from ABS which is an eco-friendly and recycled plastic. The branding is minimalist. There's the tiny Sony logo on each hinge of the earcup. The headband and earcups have soft, plush materials that is comfortable for all heads except the largest. The earcups can be adjusted so that you can find the best fit for you.

Contrary to previous models which focused on reducing low-frequency noise the XM5s amplify high-frequency sound waves, which cancels out background noise. This improves the overall quality of sound and helps reduce engine and cabin noise during flights, for instance. The XM5s is equipped with an additional processing unit that helps improve noise cancellation on planes. The audio app can also adjust your listening environment based on air pressure data.

The WH-1000XM5s also has a voice assistant that is simple to use, and it works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, Siri, and many more. You can also pair the XM5s to other Sony audio products for multi-room music playback as well as stereo separation. They can support Bluetooth high-bitrate streaming audio using Sony's LDAC however they do not support aptX or HD.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser has been making headphones for over 50 years. You can expect premium sound quality as well as a comfortable fit. They've got both with their latest headphones, named the Momentum 4 Wireless. They've revamped the design to remove some of the trademark elements that gave the earlier models the look of an aviator headset and have also enhanced the active noise cancellation with their advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. The headphones are designed to last 60 hours with ANC on this, which is more than double the battery life of a lot of rivals.

The new model is more portable, since it folds down and is smaller. The ear pads and headband are made of artificial PU leather, which is comfortable on my head even when I wear it for the entire day. They're also not extremely tight, which means you can wear them on long flights or even during your workout.

The sound is clean and well-balanced However, there are a few high-pitched peaks in the mid- and high-mid, which can cause slight muddiness in mixes. The bass is overemphasized with a lot of energy and thump in genres such as EDM or hip hop. It's not a huge deal however some listeners might find it annoying. The high-mid area has a bit of an uneven balance too, pushing vocals and instruments towards the front of the mix, but at the cost of bringing out sibilants into some songs.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 beats studio3 wireless true wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones is equipped with all the usual features including bluetooth wireless connectivity, a transparency mode that mixes outside sounds into your music to improve awareness and mobile application support for custom and preset EQ options. You can also connect a 3.5mm cord to connect your phone. They can use SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to connect to your phone, and they're able to cut down latency by up to one quarter of a second and that's a huge benefit.

3. B&W PX7 S2

Since their introduction, the original PX7s have been featured on numerous lists of the best Bluetooth headphones, topping them in many instances due to their impressive ANC and high-quality sound. The PX7s, just like other wireless headphones, were getting old and required a refresh. Hence the PX7S2. B&W hasn't merely tweaked the design for this new version, but has made substantial improvements to ANC and added more voice-calling features, too.

The first thing you notice when you open the box and take out the PX7 S2 is just how light they are. This makes them extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. The look of the PX7 S2 is basically identical to the previous model. It has the cool oval aluminium top-plate for the earcups the hook-like accent that slides rather than clicks when you expand the headband and the physical buttons. The earcups are smaller however, and the headband is a bit less bulky overall.

The software of B&W lets you alter the EQ settings of bass and treble. However you aren't as in control as you do with more expensive headphones. A Quick Action button on the left earcup switch on the various modes of the environment. It can also be set in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app to activate the voice assistant on your device.

The PX7 S2 sounds great for most musical styles, with the soundstage offering ample width and great separation between the various sound elements. It is particularly impressive on selections that feature acoustic instrumentation, such as Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata, Op. 19, composed by pianist Yuja Wang and cellist Gautier Capucon with woody instrumental tones and an airy feel. It can also handle heavier songs as well. The bass power and midrange clarity of Entombed’s garage/deathn'roll crossover curiosity To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth provide an overwhelming sound while still allowing listeners to hear vocal details like Lars-Goran Petrov’s gritty growl.

4. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose is one of the first companies to introduce active noise cancelling headphones into the mainstream. They held a stranglehold for years but now they must compete with more modern headsets that offer more features and best noise cancelling over ear headphones a better audio quality. QuietComfort 35 remains a great choice for anyone looking to listen to their podcasts or music without noise or rumbles.

The default sound profile is balanced and they're comfortable to wear. The ANC does a great job of eliminating background noise, although it tends to focus on low frequencies more than modern headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

If you're seeking a pair that can be used to listen to podcasts or audiobooks The QC35s come with an impressive noise cancellation mode which reduces ambient noise while keeping you isolated from the sounds of the surrounding environment. The QC35s also let you connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and "audio-share" so you can play something on one pair of headphones and answer an incoming call on the other pair.

The Bose Connect app is decent but doesn't provide the full EQ options that other headphone apps. The QC35s are also available in wired mode, but the quality of sound is reduced and battery longevity isn't as good as wireless models.

The QC35s sport a classic Bose style that may not be as appealing to some people as the more sleek designs of other manufacturers. You can add some personalization to your headphones by purchasing a cover with decals from companies such as SlickWraps or Skin Sticker. You'll also be able to change the color of the earcups and headband later this year, much like you can do with the previous QC25 model.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony's WH1000XM3 is the best wireless headphone with active noise cancellation that you can buy right now. They're more expensive than Anker Soundcore Q20 Wireless but they isolate more ambient noise. They also come with a superior companion app that gives you tons of sound customization features.

The XM3s offer a fantastic audio quality, and since their launch, they've been upgraded to provide the Best Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones (Www.Chumphonburihos.Com) performance. They have a little more detail across the frequency spectrum and their noise cancelling functions better at all volume levels and they've improved controls for things like Quick Attention mode, voice control, and Speak-to-Chat. They also have a new feature called Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts how much external sound is allowed in, based on the location you are and what you're doing.

However, they aren't without imperfections. The midrange can sound a bit too recessed, and the treble could sometimes be too loud. And they still tend to boost bass too much in some tracks, making the sound seem too loud and heavy. However, this is something you can correct by changing the settings for your headphone or through EQ adjustment in the Sony app.

The XM3s are a great pair of headphones, especially for commuters and frequent travelers. They are more comfortable, look and feels premium, and are durable in comparison to the JBL Live 650 BTNC wireless. They also have a more powerful battery and one of the most effective noise cancelling features available. They're also more versatile and more suitable for use on the go than Audio-Technica's ATH M50X wireless, though their noise isolation is less impressive. They're not waterproof, which could be a deal breaker for some.