The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s are expensive, but they sound and look cut above other headphones. The design is elevated by a 40mm carbon cone driver as well as Nappa leather. Additionally, a DAC mode that supports hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose's world-class ANC, excellent control and a sleek and comfortable design. The battery life is the most important selling factor.
Sound Quality
Wireless over-ear headphones sound better because they surround your ears. They also have larger earcups that allow for larger drivers to deliver deep bass and vast soundstages. Over-ear headphones are more expensive with the most expensive models starting at around $250/PS250/AU$450. They are also typically equipped 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 prefer to listen to music while in a noisy setting such as the Jabra E50 or JBL Move Wireless are excellent options. If you want to spend a bit more, the IMG Throne Gold headphones are awe-inspiring in sound and battery life, while the Focal Bathys are designed for serious audiophiles thanks to their DAC mode that can play hi-res audio via USB-C.
There are also some great headphones that fall in the mid-tier price category. A variety of brands offer headphones that are great sounding at a reasonable price. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a good example, featuring a thumping bass and a bright treble for pop and rock, but also a clear mid-range that keeps instruments and vocals prominent. The updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another excellent choice, with improved ANC and a handy companion app with presets for different listening styles. If you're a lover of Bose's premium headphone, consider the QC35 II for a similar experience, but with better passive noise isolation and a more durable design.
Audiophiles are trained to distinguish between headphones. Even the casual listener can tell the difference between wired and wireless headphones. Wireless technology has many issues that could impact audio quality. For instance, audio codecs can alter the bandwidth, sample rate and latency of a wireless transmission which can cause distortion and loss of audio clarity.
Thankfully this issue is now much better with modern wireless headphones that use the latest Bluetooth technology and are compatible with advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm AAC. jbl headphones wireless over-ear headsets that we test offer top-quality audio quality for a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless over-ear headphones can be the perfect option to block out the background noise in your office or on an plane. These big headphones are usually much more comfortable than earbuds and many models come with active noise cancellation, which makes your music and audio calls more clear.
Active noise cancellation employs microphones to detect ambient noise and use frequencies to counteract it, effectively separating you from your surroundings. Over-ear headphones that support this feature also come with a built-in microphone, which ensures that your voice is heard when you make phone calls. If you're looking for a pair of affordable wireless noise-canceling headphones look into the Audio-Technica M20xBT headphones, which come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These headphones with over-ears are an excellent choice for commuters, and they are compact enough to easily fit into your purse or bag.
The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a great choice for those who want to invest in a premium audio experience. They offer outstanding audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. The first wireless headphones from a French premium audio brand, the Focal Bathys are an audiophile's delight. They feature an open back design with luxurious materials, such as leather and aluminum detailing. The headphones are loaded with features, including an app companion that comes with a graphic equalizer and presets for fine-tuning your listening preferences. They deliver excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers as well as the acoustic leather cups. Additionally, they can playback audio losslessly which allows them to function as hi-fi-quality headphones that are wired.
Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless over-ear headphones are a great choice for those on a budget. They're light and comfortable, with good sound, and noise cancellation that's impressive. These headphones are equipped with a wide range of features, including ANC and ambient-awareness modes, touch controls, and support for aptX and Apple AAC for premium audio. The BT-600ANC is also one of the only headphones that have a programmable ambient awareness mode, which lets you listen to the sounds around you at a lower level without turning off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you need is to be running out during your commute or during your workout. Wireless headphones remove the need for a cord and offer a much more convenient solution. But their battery capacity diminishes over time, so you need a pair with impressive longevity capabilities.
Some models can last for days, or even weeks, on a single battery charge. This longevity comes with some compromises. To get there, manufacturers must reduce the size of the battery or compromise other features. The most effective wireless headphones offer a great balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones usually come with larger batteries, however their bulky design means they also consume more power to run features like active noise cancelling. On-ear headsets are more compact and lightweight. However, they do not have the same noise-blocking capabilities of their more bulky 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 will easily beat other top over-ear headphones with similar prices including Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose's 740III.
The first wireless headphones from Focal are an ideal choice for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 over-ear headphones feature an open back design that's comfortable to wear and easy on the eyes. They have a vibrant sound with a focus on bassy trebles and powerful bass. The Focal Px8 headphones also feature an app companion to let you alter the sound to suit your needs.
Focal's headphones are among the most expensive on the market. This is due in part to their premium materials and premium design. The headphones also feature a fast-charge feature that lets you enjoy two hours of music in just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are an excellent choice if you're willing sacrifice a longer battery life in exchange for a high-quality sound and an incredibly comfortable fit.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, rest on your ears instead of securing them. The ear pads will not press as hard against your earlobes, allowing you to enjoy your listening sessions for a longer time. The ear cups also assist in helping to keep your music in place which makes it more immersive and offer an immersive audio experience. This can also enhance audio clarity because you can be able to hear every detail of music without being distracted by other noise or your own voice.
On the other hand, most over-ear headphones aren't as portable as earbuds. The heavier construction and absence of folding mechanisms make them difficult to pack into backpacks or pockets. They also require a case to protect them when they are not in use. While many headphones come with a carrying case, this isn't ideal and could be a problem for those who prefer to listen to music while on the move.
This pair of wireless headphones is a great option for audiophiles that require premium headphones that can be used when travelling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone provides excellent comfort as well as high-quality sound and noise cancellation at a low price. The earcups are constructed of premium materials, and the headband is extremely comfortable. The sound quality is an improvement over its predecessor, featuring more clarity and a deeper sound. You can also adjust the sound to suit your preferences through a companion application that includes an EQ and presets.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a different premium option. They come with an elegant design and plenty of comfort. They're also available in a variety of colors and come with premium leather, making them fashionable enough to wear with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is bass-heavy. This creates more punchy and thumpy sound that is perfect for EDM and Hip-Hop, as well as other dance music genres. Vocals and instruments can be lost or hidden in the mix. This is something you can correct by using the Focal audio app's built-in graphic equalizer.
While it's not easy to determine which type of headphone is more comfortable the overall experience will depend on your personal preference. If you prefer the feel of headphones with over-ears consider a model that has thick padding and medium clamping force. This will keep your earlobes feeling swollen even when ANC is on.