A How-To Guide For Headphones From Start To Finish

Best Over-Ear Headphones Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you in sound. They are usually designed for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancelling and control apps. The Focal Bathys are a wireless speaker with ANC and a mobile app to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening. Sony WH-1000XM5 The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation lineup. The headphones have a new design and have improved ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and superior materials. They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250 grams. They're very comfortable to wear, no matter if you're reading or listening to an audiobook. The headband is a friction-rod design that is similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which prevents your ears getting too cold. The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature created to please casual music listeners as well as serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, however it's not abrasive or imposing. The earphones feature a wide and spacious soundstage, with good separation of instruments. This allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. Swipe up or down to adjust the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song, backwards to hear the previous track. The headphones are capable of connecting to two devices simultaneously and thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can also turn on ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup that lets you be aware of what's happening around you, without taking off the headphones. Other features that are useful include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carry case made of top quality fabric and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones as well as computers operating Windows or macOS. The battery longevity of the WH1000XM5 is excellent. In our standard test, we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC turned on, which is better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours. The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on calls is exceptional and there's not any muffled or static-y sounding background. The noise cancellation performance is excellent and they're a perfect choice for public transport or the office. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade from its predecessor, delivering premium performance and features. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 comes with premium performance and features, including 24bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized, and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. Its custom-designed 40mm drivers are precisely positioned inside each earcup to provide an even more focused and immersive listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones ensure superior call clarity even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone allows you to control calls and music on any device compatible with it. The headphones sport a similar sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups as well as a silver sheen for the headband. The earcups are cushioned with memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium but don't feel tight. The redesigned form and shape took many months to perfect, providing a comfortable clamping force that isn't too hard, even on my own cranium that is rotund. At 10.8 grams (or 307g) They weigh 2 ounces lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and are just a little smaller. They're light enough for carrying in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and will remain comfortably in place during long listening sessions. The headband is foldable by using a sturdy hinge on the back. The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-quality audio as well as tight video sync. headphones shops can also play them wirelessly too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to signal rapid charging, and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing. The B&W App has the same controls that the hardware onboard buttons offer including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignments wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes, etc. When you play music on your iPhone, the app displays album cover and track titles. However, some popular features such as music presets and soundscapes feature aren't available. Sennheiser HD 800 S The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones and was designed to meet the highest expectations. The design and construction of the headphones is optimized to give the highest resolution in detail that covers all frequencies, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It's the most realistic spatial audio you'll experience on open-back headphones. The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, so a good headphone amplifier will be needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended, since this can double the power output and enhance the overall sound quality. These headphones are designed for professional use. They have a steel frame and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is rather minimalist and doesn't resemble a fancy pair of headphones, however they feel luxurious in the hand and are built to last. They come with a carry case, an extra audio cable and a ¼” to 1-/8” adapter. With a neutral sound profile, the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are somewhat light on bass. The open-back design produces a spacious out-of-head soundstage. Their treble performance is excellent, with only minor dips and peaks. The Treble region also has a linear quality, so you will not have any issues with piercingsibilants, or the upper bite of a drum snare. They still have the ability to deliver and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. These headphones are still great for those who love rock music with a punchy bass however they might not sound as great as the other models on this list. In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They're very straight and have a slight slop in the upper mids, which will not be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations of vocals which is a major benefit. The HD 800 S are a pair of outstanding headphones, ideal for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice because of their excellent sound quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are expensive however they will last for years and perform well in any environment. Anker Soundcore Life q20 The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will be a great choice for anyone who wants to relax or just wants an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you throw them in a bag and their battery can last for many long-haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles from an airplane, although their audio profile is a bit warm and bass-heavy. The Life Q20's controls are easy to navigate and well-marked. On the left earcup, you'll see buttons to pair and power up the headphones as well as turning on or off the active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup there are media playback controls, including a multi-function button which lets you turn on the voice assistant of your phone and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). The built-in microphone can be used to make phone calls hands-free. Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone delivers a rich and immersive listening experience due to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver, which is certified Hi-Res audio. These headphones have a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling is designed to filter out a broad range of low- and mid-frequency sound. Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency when you're playing on your computer. The Life Q20's headband and memory foam earcups are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without discomfort. The earcups are able to rotate so that they can adjust to the particular shape of your head, so you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.