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The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

The PX8s are costly, but they look and sound a way above other headphones. The design is enhanced with a 40mm carbon cone driver and Nappa leather. A DAC mode is also included to provide high-res audio.

This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose’s world-class ANC, excellent control and sleek and comfortable design. Its biggest selling point however, is its battery longevity.

Sound Quality

In general, wireless headphones generally sound better than earbuds since they fully surround your ears. They also come with larger, more powerful drivers that provide high-quality bass and a wide soundstage. However, this comes at a price that is why over-ear headphones generally have higher price tags, with flagship models starting around $250 / PS250 / AU$450 and often featuring active noise cancellation.

It’s ultimately a matter of personal preference and how you use your headphones. If you prefer comfort over quality and want to listen to music while in a noisy environment then a pair such as the Jabra E50 or JBL Move Wireless are excellent alternatives. The I-MEGO Throne Gold headphones provide high-quality sound and a long battery life. Focal Bathys, on the other hand, are designed to appeal to audiophiles, thanks to their DAC mode, which can play hi-res music over USB-C.

The mid-tier price range offers plenty of options, with a range of brands that offer headphones that sound great at an affordable price. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a good example, with a powerful bass and bright treble for pop and rock as well as a clear mid-range that makes instruments and vocals prominent. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another excellent choice. It’s upgraded with ANC and an app companion to it that has the various presets for different styles of listening. If you are a fan of Bose’s premium headphones, the QC35 II offers a similar experience but with more durability and a passive noise-isolating design.

Audiophiles are trained to recognize between headphones. But even casual listeners will notice the differences in the sound quality between wireless and wired headphones, since the wireless protocol comes with several issues that could impact the audio quality. For instance, audio codecs may alter the bandwidth, sample rate and the latency of wireless transmissions and can result in distortion and loss of detail.

Thankfully this issue is now largely resolved with modern wireless headphones that utilize the most up-to-date Bluetooth technology and are compatible with advanced audio codecs such as Qualcomm AAC. Most wireless over-ear headsets that we test provide top-quality audio quality for an affordable price.

Noise Cancellation

Wireless over-ear headphones are the perfect option to block out the background noise in your workplace or on an airplane. These headphones are generally more comfortable than earbuds. Some models also feature active noise cancellation which helps to make your music and audio more clear.

Active noise cancellation uses microphones to detect ambient noise and utilize frequencies to counteract it, effectively isolating you from your surroundings. Over-ear headphones that have this feature include a microphone that is built-in to ensure that your voice is heard clearly when you make phone calls. Audio-Technica’s M20xBT noise-canceling wireless headsets feature Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and the battery can last up to 60 hours. These headphones are a great choice for commuters and are small enough to fit in bags or purses.

If you want to invest a little more into your audio experience The Focal Bathys are an excellent pair of premium wireless over-ear headphones with excellent audio quality and advanced noise cancellation. The first wireless headphones from an French premium audio brand The Focal Bathys are a delight for audiophiles. They have an open back design with luxurious materials such as leather and aluminum details. They feature a broad array of features with an app that can be used as a companion to the headphones, with graphic EQ and presets to fine-tune your listening profile. They provide excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers and the acoustic leather cups. Additionally, they can playback audio losslessly which allows them to function as premium hi-fi headphones wired.

Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless headphones are a great option for those who are on a tight budget. They’re light and comfortable, with excellent sound quality and noise cancellation that’s impressive. The headphones offer a wide range of features, like ambient awareness and ANC modes, touch controls, and AAC and aptX support to provide high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT600ANC are also one of the only headphones that come with a programmable ambient awareness mode which allows you to listen to the background noise at a lower volume without switching off the music.

Battery Life

The last thing you want is to run out of juice midway through a long commute or a exercise session. Wireless headphones remove the need for cords and provide an easier solution. But their battery capacity diminishes over time, so you require a pair with exceptional longevity capabilities.

Certain models can remain running for several days or weeks on a single charge. This is a long-lasting feature that comes with compromises. To achieve this, manufacturers have to reduce the size of their batteries or reduce other features. The best wireless headphones have an excellent balance between battery capacity and performance.

Over-ear headphones have bigger batteries but also use more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets are more compact and lightweight. However, they don’t have the same noise-blocking capabilities as their bulkier counterparts.

In terms of battery life, the Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless have set the bar for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for 60 hours with ANC. They are able to easily outlast top headphones that are in similar prices, such as Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and Bose’s 740 III.

Similarly, Focal’s debut wireless headphones are a dream for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 headphones have an open-back design that is comfortable to wear. The headphones have a dynamic sound with a focus on bassy trebles and high-pitched bass. The Focal Px8 headphones come with a companion app that lets you alter the sound to suit your needs.

Focal’s headphones are among the most expensive available. This is due to their premium materials and construction. The headphones also feature an option for fast charging that allows you to get two hours of audio within just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is a great choice if you don’t mind the loss of battery life in exchange for better audio quality and a more comfortable fit.

Comfort

As opposed to earbuds and earphones, over-ear headphones rest on the ears, not around them. The ear pads will rest less on your earlobes, allowing you to enjoy your listening experience for a longer time. The ear cups also seal in the music, making it more immersive. This immersive experience also improves audio quality because you can hear the subtleties of the music without being distracted by background noise or your own voice.

Most over-ear headphones are, however, not as portable as earbuds. The heavier construction and absence of folding mechanisms make them difficult to carry around in backpacks or in pockets. A case is also necessary to protect them when not in use. The majority of headphones come with a carry bag, but this isn’t ideal for people who enjoy listening to music moving around.

best overhead headphones wireless of wireless headsets is ideal for audiophiles looking for premium headphones that they can use while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone provides excellent comfort, sound quality, and noise cancellation at a reasonable cost. Its earcups and headband are made of premium materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The sound quality has improved from its predecessor with a more rich and clear sound. You can also alter the sound to your preferences through a companion application which includes an EQ and presets.

Another option that is a top choice is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones, which offer a premium design with plenty of fashion and comfort. They are also available in a range of colours and feature premium leather, which makes them stylish enough to wear with suits or a nighttime dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is bass-heavy. This creates an edgy and sluggish sound that compliments EDM and Hip-Hop, as well as other genres of dance music. The Focal audio app comes with a built-in graphic equalizer that helps you adjust the sound of vocals and instruments.

It’s hard to say which kind of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer the feel of headphones that are over-ear, try a model with large padding and moderate clamping force. This will help prevent your earlobes and ear canals from getting uncomfortable after long listening sessions even with ANC turned on.