Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also permit larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a wider soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.
The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with superior audio and features, including multiple ANC mode and an impressive battery life.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Sony has upgraded an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're less heavy, feel better built, have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy) and include an app that allows some audio customization. Their active noise cancelling performs better than it did before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer battery life than many competitors.
These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between the two when required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.
A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on the panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or to listen to music. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise on calls which is noticeable and a nice addition.
While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tested. They are comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used passively with a TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to conserve power.
The WH-1000XM4s are better over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more ambient sound. They also come with a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. The B&Ws are more robust and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to up-scale compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless music.
2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most current version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and travelers all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and longer battery life.
These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, constructed of plastic, offers a firm feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you retract or extend your ear cups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that can be worn over your ears without placing pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be used when you're wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when you aren't on your head.
Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are flat and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is fine for most music genres but can be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good but it lacks power.
The possibility of pauseing the playback after removing the headset is a feature absent. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for several years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.
You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's sound and voice settings.
The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice when you are on the phone. The headphones have good call quality, but they don't let you muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s in February 2022 included manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their style and comfort which tell listeners that they're listening something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.
Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got a little more, with over 40 hours on average of one charge. If you need to recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.
For a pair of headphones for this price, they have a lot of features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You must select the device you want to pair with manually every time you listen.) The headphones have a built in microphone that can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones feature an easy to use interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.
For headphones with over-ear connectivity for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation, reducing the background sound by around 9 decibels in average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still effective.
The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve, with only minor deviations on the bass over ear wireless headphones and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals appear veiled.
You can wear them anywhere and not worry about whether others listen to your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid - to the treble range.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the category. The latest model is improved over the previous model by having more sleek design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.
The changes are subtle but can make for an over-ear pair of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when on the move. They also follow the style of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.
The most obvious change in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled. This is more than twice as much as most of the other brands and enough to take a multi-day journey without having to search for an outlet.
Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as treble, meaning that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded, but can be overemphasized, which can lead fatigue in songs that have high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full, and there's no real feeling of depth in the lows.
The Momentum 4s are comfy and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or for longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head, causing intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random and can cause distraction during music or calls. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of slumber by default, and can be turned off manually off with the power button.