Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds encapsulate the ears completely. They also allow for larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that allows some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, eliminating the background noise, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and automatically switch between them if needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on the panel, which makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to media. Sony also included a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise during calls which is noticeable and a nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones bluetooth headphones we've ever examined. They are comfortable and well-made. They also have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used using a TRS cable which is great if you're traveling or need to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also come with a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws come with an improved design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it improves the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Headphones Uk [Adrestyt.Ru]

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset that became a standard for commuters as well as passengers around the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model uses the same formula that made its predecessor Wireless Headphones Uk so popular, and adds the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, which is made of plastic, offers a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you retract or extend your earcups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without placing pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be paired with a coat or sweater since they can be worn even when not on the head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the detail that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be amplified, which is fine for most music, but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent but it lacks power.

One thing that's not included is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a standard in this price range and something that Bose's competitors have offered for a long time. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app but it would be nice if there was a manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound settings.

The QC45s come with four built-in microphones that listen to your voice during calls. They have excellent call quality, however they don't let you muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their comfort and style, which let listeners know that they're listening something special. Their first venture into wireless noise cancelling headphones, the Bathys, are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound amazing. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery performance, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more out of them with more than 40 hours on average out of just one charge. If you require a recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they come with a lot of features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You must select the device you want to pair with by hand each time you listen.) They come with a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an intuitive interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation, reducing the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels per hour on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still fairly effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals look a bit veiled.

You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will listen to your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality via Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this class. The latest model is improved over the previous model with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and wireless headphones uk a huge battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when moving. They also follow the trend of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, like those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The most obvious improvement here is the massive battery, which claims up to 60 hours of playback when noise cancellation activated. This is easily double the amount of the other brands and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without worrying about finding an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget an 82-point score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue when songs have high-pitched 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 comfy and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or for longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random times, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be turned off manually by pressing the power button.