The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s may be costly however their design and sound are superior to other headphones. The design is elevated by a 40mm carbon cone driver as well as Nappa leather. A DAC mode is included to allow high-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship offers Bose's industry-leading ANC, excellent control and an elegant and comfortable design. Its biggest selling point however, is its battery life.
Sound Quality
Wireless headphones with over-ears are more immersive because they surround your ears. They also have larger and more powerful drivers that deliver deep bass and wide soundstages. But this comes at a price: over-ear headphones typically cost more and the most expensive models starting at about $250 / PS250 / AUS$450, and often with active noise cancellation.
It's all about your personal preferences and how you use your headphones. If you prefer comfort over audio quality and would like to listen to music while in a noisy setting such as the Jabra E50 or JBL Move Wireless are good choices. If you're looking to spend more, the I-MEGO THRONE Gold offer impressive sound and battery life, while the Focal Bathys are specifically designed for serious audiophiles with their DAC mode that can support high-res audio via USB-C.
There are also some fantastic headphones that are priced in the mid-tier range. A range of brands provide headphones that sound fantastic at a low cost. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a good example, with a powerful bass and bright treble for pop and rock, but also a clear mid-range that keeps instruments and vocals prominent. The newly updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another good option. It's upgraded with ANC, and an app companion that comes with different listening styles and presets. If you're a big fan of Bose's premium headphones, consider the QC35 II for a similar experience, with more passive noise cancellation and a more durable design.
Audiophiles have well-trained ears and are able to discern the difference between headphones. But even casual listeners will be able to discern the difference in sound quality between wired and wireless headphones, as the wireless protocol has a number of pitfalls that could affect the quality of audio. Audio codecs, for instance can alter the bandwidth, sample rates and latency of wireless transmissions, leading to distortion and loss of detail.
These issues have been resolved by modern wireless headphones, which utilize the most up-to-date Bluetooth technology. They also have advanced audio codecs such as Qualcomm AAC. Most wireless over-ear headsets that we test provide high-quality audio at an affordable price.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless over-ear headphones can be a great option for blocking out noise at your workplace or on an plane. These big headphones are typically more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also offer active noise cancellation that helps to make your music and audio clearer.
Active noise cancellation employs microphones to detect ambient noise and employ frequencies to block it, effectively isolating you from your surroundings. The majority of over-ear headphones that support this feature come with a microphone built-in to ensure that your voice is heard clearly when you make phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT wireless noise cancelling headsets offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and the battery can last up to 60 hours. These headphones with over-ears are a great choice for those who commute, and they are small enough to fit easily in your bag or purse.
If you're looking to invest a bit more into your audio experience The Focal Bathys are a fantastic pair of premium wireless headphones that offer exceptional audio quality and sophisticated noise cancellation. These French high-end audio manufacturers' first pair of wireless headphones are a audiophile's dream, featuring an open back design and luxurious materials such as aluminum detailing and leather. They come with a wide array of features with a companion app with a graphic EQ as well as presets to fine-tune your listening profile. They deliver excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and Acoustic leather cups. Furthermore, they support lossless audio playback which allows them to function as hi-fi-quality headphones that are wired.
Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless over-ear headphones are an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. They're light and comfortable, with good sound, and noise cancellation that's impressive. The headphones come with a broad selection of features such as ambient awareness and ANC modes, touch controls, and AAC and aptX support to provide high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT-600ANC is also one of the few headphones that come with a programmable ambience awareness mode. This allows you to listen to the ambient noise at a reduced volume without having to shut off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you need is to run out on your long commute or during an exercise. Wireless headphones are a great alternative to cords and provide an easier solution. The battery power of wireless headphones can be depleted over time. You need to choose the one with an extended battery.
Certain models can stay up and running for several days or weeks on just one charge. This is a long-lasting feature that comes with trade-offs. To achieve this, manufacturers must reduce the size of the battery or sacrifice other features. The best wireless headphones are an ideal balance between battery life and performance.
Over-ear headphones have larger batteries but also use more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets, on contrary have a smaller design, which makes them more mobile. They aren't as able to block out noise as their bulkier equivalents.
The Cleer Enduro ANC, and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set an industry standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play for a whopping 60 hours when ANC enabled. They will easily beat other top headphones in a similar price range including Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose's 740 III.
The first wireless headphones from Focal are a dream for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 headphones have an open-back design that is comfortable to wear. The headphones feature a lively sound, with a focus on bassy trebles and a high-pitched bass. The Focal headphones Px8 include a companion app that lets you customize the sound.
Focal's headphones are among the most expensive available. This is partly due to their high-end materials and premium design. They also come with an ultra-fast charging port that can get you two hours of listening time after only 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is an excellent option if you're not worried about sacrificing battery life for better audio quality and a more comfortable fitting.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, rest on the ears instead of securing them. This means the ear pads are less pressed against your ears, which reduces the pressure on your earlobes. beats studio 3 headphones wireless allows you to listen longer. The ear cups can also seal in the music which makes it more immersive. This experience is also more immersive and improves audio quality because you can hear the subtleties of the music without being distracted by background noise or your own voice.
The majority of over-ear headphones aren't as lightweight as earbuds. They are more difficult to store in backpacks or pockets due to their bulkier design and lack of folding mechanism. A case is also needed to protect them when not in use. While many headphones come with a carry case, this isn't ideal and could be a hindrance for those who wish to listen to music on the go.
This pair of wireless headphones is perfect for audiophiles looking for high-quality headphones they can use while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone provides excellent comfort as well as high-quality sound and noise cancellation at a low price. Its earcups and headband are made of top quality materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The audio quality is an improvement over its predecessor, with more clarity and a deeper sound. With a companion application which includes an EQ and presets, you can adjust the sound to suit your preferences.
Another premium option is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones which feature a high-end design that is full of style and comfort. They are also available in a range of colours and feature premium leather, which makes them elegant enough to be worn with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy. This produces a more thumpy and punchy sound that complements EDM and Hip-Hop, as well as other dance music genres. The Focal audio app has an inbuilt graphic equalizer that helps you improve the sound of instruments and vocals.
While it's difficult to say which kind of headphone is more comfortable, the overall experience depends on your personal preference. If you prefer the feel of headphones with over-ears consider a model that has large padding and moderate clamping force. This will keep your earlobes becoming sore even when ANC is on.