Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts anywhere, without the need to run an audio wire to your device. These headphones are ideal for public transport, in the office or at home.
Wireless over-ear headphones may have a premium design and exceptional noise cancellation. They are typically packaged in a stylish case.
Soundcore Life Q30
These earphones are an important upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They are more attractive and feel more durable and have a more polished finish. The hinges are stronger and the soft ear cups are slightly larger. They're still made of plastic, however they are more polished. You can also switch the 3.5mm cable for a high-quality USB-C version so that you can make use of them with portable Hi-Fi systems as well as stationary Hi-Res players. They also come with two microphones built-in, which perform well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app offers a vast range of EQ presets, which can be customized and saved to allow you to listen to podcasts and music in the way you prefer. The Soundcore app is easy to use and makes these headphones stand out.
When ANC is on, the Q30's 40mm drivers cut out almost all background noise, making for an extremely pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound signature is natural, but it's a bit harsh on the treble. Some might find the bass response lacking (we got better results using the Bass Booster equalizer). However, you can easily solve this issue by using the Soundcore application, as there is an 8-band equalizer to allow you to tweak.
The left earcup has the power button, a pairing button, and an USB-C charging port. The right earcup has buttons for volume up/down, play/pause and volume up/down. Double-clicking on these controls allows you to skip tracks or play previous ones. You can also use voice commands to ask for a change in mode or set alarms. You can also cover the right ear cup with your hand to enable ambient modes to allow you to hear the world around you without taking off the headphones.
The battery life on these headphones is fantastic as well. The Q30 lasts for an hour longer in our tests when ANC was on than the other models. This allows you to take advantage of a long flight, or a busy day at work. The USB-C cable included allows you to quickly recharge them. You'll also get an alert when the battery is about to run out.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of powerful over-ear Bluetooth headphones that offers both active noise cancellation, as well as Bluetooth playback. These headphones are made to be high-end, premium headphones that can be used at home or on the go. They're a little more expensive than other similar headphones but their superior sound quality is the main selling feature.
The Focal Bathys are packed in a compact elegant white box with a fabric finish. It comes with all the accessories you will need. The package also includes a fold-flat carrying case for the headphones as well as a USB-C to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.
The battery's capacity is 600mAh, which will last for a whole day of listening to music casually. They also include an audio input so that you can use wired. When they're wirelessly connected, they're connected via Bluetooth and you can manage their functions via an app (now called Focal & Naim likely in the same vein as their English Naim brand's products for audio that are network-aware) or by pressing the dedicated button on the left ear cup that scrolls between ANC profiles such as'silent','soft' 'transparent' and full.
The app allows you to change various settings like the LED brightness and EQ presets, including a "music' profile that sounds brighter and more neutral than the others and also their battery duration. You can also select the ANC mode and level and select an 'acoustic environment that adjusts the sensitivity in order to simulate the sound of the headphones in a different room.
The Focal Bathys feature a bass-rich profile that adds more warmth, punch and impact to your favorite tracks. In the end, vocals and instruments are nudged back into the mix, and can sound dull, while other details such as cymbals sound somewhat less prominent than you'd expect on other headphones. They're also not as effective in active noise cancellation compared to other over-ears with more advanced technology such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony headphones are renowned for their quality, and the WH1000XM5 is no exception. It is at the top end of the mainstream headphones for over-ear, and is slipping into the luxury lifestyle sector where brands like Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc are a common sight. This means that the XM5s are expensive in price tag but, should you be able to afford it, there are few better over the ear wireless headphones available.
The XM5s have features that make life easier for listeners and, in a few cases, automate tasks they'd otherwise have to handle manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music compressed to near hi-res) as well as Bluetooth's LDAC Technology are both included. This lets high-quality audio be streamed at bitrates that are higher than Bluetooth. There's even noise cancelling wireless headphones built-in microphone that can be used for making calls hands-free.
The XM5 headphones are no different from the previous generation WH headphones in regards to noise cancellation. They're among the most efficient headphones for cutting out constant drones heard in train and underground carriages. The XM5s also excel at separating listeners from the hum of airports and busy streets.
The sound quality is also top-quality. The XM5s do not have as high a resolution in the low frequency range as the XM4, however they do possess a greater sense clarity and openness. The bass in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head shows off the Sonys' power and definition without affecting the rest the music. In the same way, Massive Attack's grooving Angel shows off the XM5s ability to create tight and precise bass notes.
Battery life is excellent with up to 30 hours of listening time when ANC is on and 40 hours if off. This is more than enough for a weekend trip or a long period of usage.
The only drawback is that the XM5s don't have any water resistance or dust resistance protection. In fact, Sony recommends that you not sweat on them or wear them out in the rain. This might not be a big deal for most people however, for those who spend much time in the gym or live in a humid location, it could be a big issue.
Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max is a pair of wireless headphones that come with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple designed dynamic drivers measuring 40mm with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids, but not going too loud. They are ideal for music and movies. They also provide better sound quality than many other headphones.
The headphones are light and feel comfortable on your head. The ear cups are constructed of memory foam and covered with woven fabric, sit comfortably over the ear they do not place pressure on the sides or forehead. The ear cups can tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges provide a strong, but not too much clamping force to ensure that the ear cups stay in place during listening sessions.
A small button on the the right earcup allows you to switch between noise cancelling modes. You can also utilize the jog dial that is a push-button similar to the digital Crown on the Apple Watch. You can turn it around to control volume and press it once, twice, or three times to playback the controls. Pressing and holding the button will activate Siri. These buttons are placed well and simple to use, however I was disappointed that there wasn't a power button to turn the headphones off when not in use. The headphones are put into standby mode when removed from your ears, or if they are placed in their case. They come back into use when you place them on your head.
Another cool feature is spatial audio, which makes use of the accelerometers and gyroscopes of the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to figure out the direction you're moving in, and then repositions sound to make it seem like they're coming from these locations. This creates an immersive theater-like experience for films and videos recorded in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only catch is that spatial audio requires an iOS device for use and you won't be able enjoy it on other devices.
The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I'd be a bit disappointed for spending $549 at an Apple Store knowing that the newer model would be better after a year. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and better battery performance, so it's difficult to justify the cost for most people.