The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s might be costly however their sound and design are superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver and Nappa leather enhance the design. A DAC mode is included to provide high-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship features Bose’s industry-leading ANC technology, outstanding control and a sleek look. Its biggest selling point however, is the battery life.
Sound Quality
In general, wireless over-ear headphones are more effective than earbuds due to the fact that they completely cover your ears. They also have larger earcups that allow for larger drivers to provide huge soundstages and deep bass. Over-ear headphones are more expensive, with flagship models starting at around $250/PS250/AU$450. They can also come with active noise cancellation.
It's all an issue of personal preference and what you're using headphones for - if you want to listen to music in a noisy environment and are looking for comfort over audio quality, an affordable pair like the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good choice. The I-MEGO Throne Gold headphones provide great sound quality and battery life. Focal Bathys, on the other hand, are specifically designed for audiophiles, with their DAC mode which supports hi-res via USB-C.
There are some excellent headphones in the mid-tier price category. A variety of brands provide headphones that sound great at a reasonable price. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is a fantastic example. They feature a thumping bass and bright treble, perfect for rock and pop music however, they also feature an uncluttered midrange that keeps instruments and vocals in the forefront. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another excellent choice. It's upgraded with ANC, and an app companion that comes with the various presets for different styles of listening. If you are a fan of Bose's premium headphone, then the QC35 II offers a similar experience but with more durability and a passive design that blocks out noise.
Audiophiles are trained to recognize between headphones. Even the casual listener can tell the distinction between wired and wireless headphones. The wireless protocol has numerous drawbacks that can affect audio quality. For instance, audio codecs can change the bandwidth, sample rate and the latency of wireless transmissions which can cause distortion and loss of audio detail.
These issues have been largely resolved by modern wireless headphones that utilize the most recent Bluetooth technology. They also have advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm AAC. This means that the majority of wireless over-ear headphones that we review provide excellent audio quality for their prices.
Noise Cancellation
If you're looking to block out the noise of your office surroundings or catch some shut-eye on an airplane, wireless over-ear headphones are a great choice. These big headphones are typically more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also come with active noise cancellation which makes your music and audio more clear.
Active noise cancelling utilizes microphones to detect ambient sound and then use frequencies that counteract the unwanted noise to isolate you from your environment. The majority of over-ear headphones that have this feature also come with a built-in microphone, which ensures that your voice is heard during phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT wireless noise-canceling headsets offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and the battery can last up to 60 hours. These over-ear headphones are a great option for those who commute, and are compact enough to fit easily in your bag or purse.
The Focal Bathys wireless over-ear headphones are a great option for those who wish to invest in a high-end audio experience. They have high-quality audio and advanced sound cancellation. The first wireless headphones made by an French premium audio company, the Focal Bathys are an audiophile's dream. They feature an open-back design that is adorned with luxurious materials such as leather and aluminum details. They come with a wide array of features that include an app companion with a graphic EQ and presets to customize your listening experience. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic Leather cups, they provide great isolation. They also have lossless audio support which allows them to function as high-end Hi-Fi speakers when wired.
Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless over-ear headphones are a great option for those who are on a tight budget. They're light and comfortable, with a great sound and noise cancellation that is impressive. These headphones have a wide range of features, such as ANC and ambient awareness modes, touch controls as well as aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT-600ANC is also among the few headphones that feature an adjustable ambience awareness mode. This allows you to listen to ambient noise at a lower volume, without having to turn off the music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to run out of juice midway through a long commute or a workout. Wireless headphones remove the need for a cord and offer an easier solution. The battery power of wireless headphones will deplete over time. You need to choose the one with a long-lasting battery.
Some models can last for days, or even weeks, on a single battery charge. However, this endurance comes with a price. In order to get there, manufacturers need to reduce the size of their batteries or cut down on other features. The best wireless headphones are an excellent balance of battery life and performance.
Over-ear headphones typically have larger batteries, but the bulky design means that they also consume more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets, on the contrary, have a more compact design that allows them to be more mobile. They don't block as much noise as their bulkier counterparts.
The Cleer Enduro ANC and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set the new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play for a whopping 60 hours with ANC enabled. They will easily beat other top headphones in a similar price range including Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose's 720 III.
Similar to the Focal Px8's first wireless headphones are a true audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 over-ear headphones feature an open back design that's comfortable to wear and easy to look at. They offer a lively sound quality with a focus on thumping bass and bright trebles. The Focal Px8 headphones also feature an app companion to let you customize 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. They also come with an option for fast charging that allows you to get two hours of audio within just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is an excellent option if you're willing to sacrificing battery life for better sound quality and a more comfortable fitting.
Comfort
As opposed to earbuds and earphones, over-ear headphones rest on your ears instead of around them. The ear pads rest less on your earlobes and allow you to enjoy your listening experience for a longer time. The ear cups also assist in helping seal in your music which makes it more immersive and provide an incredible audio experience. This immersive experience also improves the quality of your audio because you can feel the subtleties of the music without being distracted by background noise or your own voice.
On the other hand over-ear headphones aren't as compact as earbuds. The bulkier construction and lack of folding mechanisms make them difficult to pack into backpacks or pocket. A case is also needed to keep them safe when not in use. While most headphones come with a carrying case, it isn't ideal and could be a problem for those who wish to listen to music on the go.
This pair of wireless headphones is a great option for audiophiles looking for high-quality headphones that can be used when traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone is a great choice for comfort, sound quality, and noise cancellation at a low price. The headband and earcups are made of top quality materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The sound quality has improved from its predecessor with a more clear and vibrant sound. You can also alter the sound to your preferences through a companion application that features an EQ and presets.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a different premium option. They offer an elegant design and plenty of comfort. They're also available in a range of colours and feature premium leather, which makes them elegant enough to be worn with suits or a nighttime dress. These headphones' default sound profile is bass heavy, resulting in more thump and punch that compliments EDM hip-hop, EDM, and other dance music genres. The Focal audio app comes with an inbuilt graphic equalizer that helps you improve the tone of instruments and vocals.
Although it's hard 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 that are over-ear consider a model that has thick padding and a moderate clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from feeling sore even when ANC is turned on.