The Best Over-Ear Headphones
If you travel on public transportation or work in an office with chatty co-workers or just want to listen to your music without the distraction of outside distractions, over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. We reviewed the best over ear headphones that combine excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation.
Mpow Over-Ear Headphones
These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow feature a great, sturdy build and feature premium audio that is remarkable for their price. They are designed to be worn over the ears and have ear cups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This helps to block out background noise. The earpads are constructed of a moderately thick cushion that encases your ears well enough to block out a significant portion of ambient sounds however, they do not have a noise cancellation feature that is active. They weigh slightly more than 11 ounces and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
The Mpow headphones are a simple design, not too different from other over-ear headphone designs available. The headband that connects the two ear cups is hinged, allowing them to fold down into a compact package to be transported and stored. The left earcup houses controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. A microphone is housed in the right ear cup for hands-free calls.
The sound quality from the Mpow headphones is very good, although they do not have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Their PRTF accuracy and activation scores are higher than average for a fantastic read Bluetooth Headphones noise cancelling; Headphonesshop.uk, that should offer an expansive and wide soundstage when listening to music. However, their PRTF distance score is below average, which means they will sound tinier and less open than headphones with large, open-back earcups.
The treble extension is also excellent, so you can get a crisp and clear sound that is compatible with a wide range of genres. Their mids are a little more prominent than those from the Sony headphones, which gives them an energizing sound that is ideal for instrument-rich music. Some users find the bass to be to be a bit loud, but you can adjust it to your own preference by changing the equalizer settings on your audio player.
The Mpow headphones have a long battery life, Headphones Shop and can be utilized in wired mode when the battery is exhausted. The headphones come with an USB charger as well as an audio cable, which means you can enjoy your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back guarantee and 18-month warranty for the headphones, and their customer service is known to be quick and responsive.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 are the most current 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 also includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones feels immediately elegant when they are unboxed. The use of metals and soft materials on the ear cups give them a luxurious feel. The headphones are also more comfortable on the ears and head even though they are slightly heavier. The ears are easy to snap on and off, so they can be replaced if they wear out.
These headphones come with active noise cancellation. This reduces external sounds, while still allowing for you to enjoy your music. The technology isn’t perfect however it does an excellent job of keeping train and plane noises out of your canals without altering the balance between music tracks.
The soundstage of the PX7 S2 is what really sets it apart from the rest. It provides plenty of space between the sound elements and offers a distinct separation. This gives clarity to songs that can’t be heard on other Bluetooth headphones.
While the PX7 S2s aren’t as portable as some of their competitors however, they come with a great carry case. It’s also well-padded and the headphones fold flat for easy storage when not in use.
The ear cups are encased in soft, leather-like material that’s quite indulgent to the feel. They’re also light, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband is designed for maximum comfort and doesn’t over-stretch. This helps avoid headaches.
The headphones have a variety of features including Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to be paired with two devices simultaneously. They support all the popular Bluetooth codes, as well as high-resolution audio when your streaming service supports it. They also come with an audio amplifier that can give you an extra boost when using them with low-powered electronics like laptops.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 are the latest in the premium line of headphones that are over-ear and noise cancelling. They’re a great upgrade from their predecessors, the WH-1000XM2s and the WH-1000XM4. Sony has improved on its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth generation headphones can now melt away low-frequency sounds, such as plane engines and subway car rumbles. They also can detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly.
You can still use voice-activated assistants to control your music or get directions. The microphones on the earphones have been upgraded so that they can be used to make calls using hands-free technology and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are also Bluetooth 5.0, which means they can be used with faster pairing and connection speeds.
In our laboratory tests, the WH-1000XM5 have earned the top scores for comfort, user-friendliness and sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and the earcup can be adjusted to suit different head sizes. The headphones are lightweight, and their flat design allows them to be easily tucked away in the backpack or suitcase.
The ear cups are a bit curvier than their predecessors, and the headband is fitted with more refined curves to help conceal assembly points. They’re covered in a modern synthetic leather material, which provides additional durability and luxury. The earcup cavities are also a bit bigger and fit more comfortably against the ears. This could cause a bit of pressure to the head when worn for long durations.
Some of the core features of the WH-1000XM4s have been transferred to the XM5. You can swipe or tap the right earcup to switch between songs, pause audio, and access the Ambient Sound mode. You can also place your hands over the left ear cup to temporarily turn down your music volume and boost ambient sound, which is beneficial when you want to hear what’s happening around you.
The XM5s come with a few minor enhancements that make them a great choice for noise-canceling headsets. The new ANC gives better isolation for low-frequency sounds, and the headphones will pause your music when lifted from your head in order to save power. You can also choose a transparent listening mode to let in more exterior 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
The ATH-ADX700 headphones are great option for those who want to buy a set of gaming headphones. They provide superior sound quality and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They are lightweight, which means you won’t feel them on your head or ears. They have self-adjusting 3D wings that eliminate the pressure and adjust to accommodate your head. The headphones come with a cable that can be easily connected to your audio source.
These are open-air headphones that look quite unique, thanks to their large earcups and honeycomb covers made of black that reveal the drivers inside. The unique design is what makes these headphones stand out, but they also have a lot to offer. They are distinctive due to their self-adjusting wing-support construction, the new 53mm driver that has bobbin wound CCAW voice coils, and the lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing.
The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response that allows for an unmistakably natural, crisp treble. The sound isn’t as bassy as some other headphones because they’re designed for the general music lover who does not like being bombarded by low frequencies. These headphones are ideal for gamers because they allow you to hear your friends and other NPCs, without being muffled.
The ATH ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms. However, they still require a high-quality amp to operate at its best. This is not a problem when using them from a portable player, but it will be much more manageable and enjoy their full range of sound when paired with an appropriate headphone amp.
The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable with a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath to prevent tangling and damage. The ATH ADX700 comes with an 1/4″ adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of plush velour that feels soft and initially itchy, but will break in eventually. They also have a flexible fabric that is raised to increase comfort and durability.