What Is Headphones? How To Use It
Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones completely encapsulate your ears, allowing you to be immersed in sound. They are usually tuned for audiophiles, and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.
The Focal Bathys are a wireless speaker with ANC and a mobile app for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support hi-res audio for wired listening through USB-C.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancellation line-up. The headphones have a new design and enhanced ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with a higher-end sound quality and superior materials.
They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones at 250 grams. They're very comfortable to wear, even if you're listening to or reading a book. The headband is supple, and has an ear-friction rod design similar to the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from getting too cold.
The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature created to please casual music listeners as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight increase in bass, however it is not harsh or blazing. They have a large and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear the specifics in your music. shop headphone are also equipped with control buttons that are easy and responsive to use. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song, backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback whenever you remove them from your head due to the built-in sensor. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. This lets you hear the sounds around you without having to remove the headphones.
They can also be paired with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of premium fabric and a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive. In our test of the standard battery we recorded 31 hours and 53 minute with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30 hours battery life.
The WH-1000XM5's microphone quality for voice calls is excellent and there's no distorted or static-y audio in the background. The noise cancellation is excellent, and they're a good fit for public transport or the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, providing premium performance and features. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming enhanced active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers that are custom-designed for the device are carefully angled inside each earcup to provide an even more focused and deep listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer excellent call clarity even in noisy surroundings. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music on any device compatible with it.
The headphones sport a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They have accent rings that wrap around the earcups and a silver sheen on the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium, yet never feel tight. The redesigned shape and form required a lot of time to perfect, and provides a comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard even on my own rotund cranium.
At 10.8 ounces (or 307g), they're 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and slightly thinner. They're light enough to fit in your bag or backpack without much discomfort, and they'll stay comfortably in place during long listening sessions. The headband can be folded using a sturdy hinge at the back.
The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-quality audio as well as a fast video sync. You can also play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to show rapid charging, and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.
The B&W app provides the same features as the buttons on the hardware including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, a cycle through ANC modes and more. The app also displays an album cover and track's name when you play music on your iPhone. The most popular extras like music presets and soundscapes mode are not available, however.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The HD 800 S is a successor to the legendary Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology is optimized to give an impressive detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic spatial audio you'll hear on headphones with open backs.
The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms, which means it requires a top-quality headphone amplifier to drive it at the desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to use a balanced connection, which can double the output and improve the quality of sound.
These headphones are made for professional use. They have a steel frame and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't resemble an expensive pair of headphones, but they feel luxurious in the hand and are built well. They come with a carry pouch as well as an additional audio cable and a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.
The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with naturality, however they are lighter on bass. The open-back design results in a wide out-of-head soundstage. The treble sound quality is superb, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble area is extremely smooth, meaning you won't have issues with cutting sibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare.
Despite not having a booming bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when it is needed. They'll still be a great choice for those who love listening to music with punchy basslines, but they may not be as enjoyable as some of the competing models on this list, such as the HiFiMan Arya.
The Sennheiser headphones have a great mid-range. They're very straight and have a slight slop in the upper mids which should not be noticeable to the majority of listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations in vocals which is a huge benefit.
The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. Their impressive sonic performance and comfortable fit make them an excellent choice. The headphones are costly, but they'll last for a long time and will perform in any situation.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a great pair of headphones that will do the trick for anyone who needs to pass the time or simply wants a low-cost pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a basic bag that provides protection when you throw them into your bag, and their battery can last for multiple long haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy seatmates and engine rumbles. However, their audio quality is a bit warm and bass-heavy.
The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons for pairing and powering up the headphones, as well as turning on and off the active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are media playback controls, including a multi-function button that lets you activate the voice assistant of your phone and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in mic can be used to make hands-free phone calls.
Anker's Soundcore Q20 headphone delivers a rich and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that provides certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that stretches up to 40 kHz the headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and clarity, while their active noise cancellation technology is designed to filter out a wider range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.
One thing to remember about the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is that they don't support aptX, which is a disappointment. This means you will not be able to benefit of the higher codes' lower latency when playing games on your computer.
In terms of comfort The Life Q20's memory-foam ear cups and headband are soft enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing discomfort. The earcups are able to rotate and adjust to the unique shape of your head, so you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.