Is Headphones As Important As Everyone Says?

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears to immerse you in the sound. They are usually designed for audiophiles and have features like active noise cancelling and control apps.

The Focal Bathys are a wireless device that comes with ANC and a mobile application to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones by Sony are the latest upgrade in their noise cancellation lineup. The headphones have a new design and enhanced ANC. They also come with many of the same features, but with higher-end sound quality and better materials.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones at just 250g. This makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband is soft, and has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

With an audio quality that will please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass, but not too loud or harsh. The earphones boast a huge and wide soundstage, as well as excellent instrument separation. This allows you to be able to hear the finer details of your music. The earcups are also equipped with touch controls that are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe up or down to alter the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song and backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can be connected to two devices at once and will automatically pause playback when you take them off your head due to the built-in sensor. You can also turn on the ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup that lets you listen to 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 carrying case made of top quality fabric and an USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is awe-inspiring. In our test we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC activated, which is better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.

The WH1000XM5 has a great microphone for making calls. There's no static or muffled audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent and these headphones are great for public transportation or the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and improved performance. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers premium performance and features, including 24-bit wireless streaming, active noise cancellation optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile device or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled inside each earcup, offer more deep and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer excellent call clarity, even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone let you control your music and calls using any compatible device.

Similar to the PX7's original design, these headphones are a sleekly refined look with accent rings around each earcup, and a silver-colored headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium but never feel tight. The redesigned shape and form required a lot of time to perfect, delivering an incredibly comfortable clamping force that doesn't push too hard, even on my own rotund cranium.

They are 2 ounces lighter (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear throughout long listening sessions. The headband is foldable using a sturdy hinge at the back.

They're powered by bluetooth headphones wireless 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for both high-resolution audio and tight video sync. You can also play them wired too, using the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the earphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App provides the same features that the hardware onboard buttons offer such as bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes, etc. The app also shows an album cover and track title when you play music from your iPhone. Some popular features like music presets and a soundscapes mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to provide a detail resolution that encompasses all of the frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It delivers the most realistic sound you'll experience on open-back headphones.

The headphone has an impedance of 300 Ohms, therefore it requires a premium headphone amplifier to operate at the right levels, without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which can increase the output and boost the quality of sound.

The headphones are designed for a professional use and have a sturdy metal frame with a mix of plastics and leather padding. The design is simple and they're not fancy however the quality of the headphones and their build are excellent. They come with a carrying case, an extra audio cable and a 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments in a natural way, even however they are light on bass. The open-back design results in a spacious, out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding, with only minor peaks and dips. The treble region is also very linear, so you'll not have issues hitting sibilants or the upper impact of a drum snare.

Even with the absence of booming bass, they can still produce a punch and dynamism when required. They are still a great choice for those who like rock music with a punchy bass however, they may not be as impressive as the other models on this list.

The Sennheiser headphones have a wonderful midrange. They are straight and have an incline on the upper mids, which won't be noticed by most listeners. They also can reproduce fine time gradations, which is a nice bonus.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. Their exceptional sound quality and comfortable fitting make them a great option. The headphones are costly, but they will last you for many years and perform in any situation.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will provide the perfect solution for anyone who wants to pass the time or simply wants a low-cost pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you toss them in a bag and their battery can last for several long haul flights. The ANC can effectively block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, however their audio quality is a bit heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls can be easy to navigate and well-marked. 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 ear cup there are media playback controls which include a multi-function button which lets you turn on the voice assistant of your phone and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make calls without hands your phone.

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. The headphones have the treble range to go up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling is designed to block out a variety of low- and mid-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while gaming on your PC.

In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and earphone headband are soft enough to wear for extended periods of time without causing discomfort. The ear cups can also be rotated to accommodate your unique head shape. The included 3.5mm audio cable lets you to listen to music while charging the battery.