The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s may be costly but their design and sound are superior to other headphones. The design is enhanced with the 40mm carbon cone driver and Nappa Leather. A DAC mode is included to support hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship is Bose's top-of-the-line ANC technology, excellent control and a sleek look. The most attractive feature however, is its battery life.
Sound Quality
In general, wireless over-ear headphones are more effective than earbuds because they fully surround your ears. They also have larger, more powerful drivers that deliver deep bass and wide soundstages. Over-ear headphones are more expensive, with flagship models starting at around $250/PS250/AU$450. They also often feature active noise cancellation.
In the end, it's an issue of personal preference and what you're using headphones for. If you're looking to listen to music in a noisy environment and value comfort over quality of sound, a low-cost pair such as the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good option. The I-MEGO Throne Gold headphones offer high-quality sound and a long battery life. Focal Bathys, on the other hand, are specifically designed for audiophiles with their DAC mode, which can play hi-res music via USB-C.
The mid-tier price bracket has some great options too and there are a variety of brands that offer headphones that sound great for a reasonable price. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a good example, featuring a thumping bass and bright treble that is perfect for rock and pop as well as a clear mid-range that keeps vocals and instruments prominent. The recently updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another good choice, with a better ANC and a great companion app that has presets for various listening styles. If you're a fan of Bose's premium headphone, try the QC35 II for a similar experience, but with better passive noise cancellation and a more robust design.
Audiophiles have well-trained ears and know how to hear the difference between headphones. But even casual listeners will notice the differences in the sound quality between wireless and wired headphones, as wireless technology has numerous issues that can affect audio quality. Audio codecs, like, can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and the latency of wireless transmissions leading to distortion and loss of clarity.
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. The majority of wireless headphones that we test provide high-quality audio at a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
Whether you want to block out the noise of your office or get some shut-eye on the plane wireless headphones are an excellent choice. These big headphones are typically more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also come with active noise cancellation, which makes your music and sound clearer.
Active noise canceling utilizes microphones to detect ambient sounds and then employ frequencies to block out the unwanted noise to isolate you from your environment. Over-ear headphones that have this feature come with an integrated microphone to ensure that your voice is heard clearly during phone calls. If you are 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 over-ear headphones are the perfect choice for commuters and are small enough to fit in bags or purses.
The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are an excellent choice for those who want to get a premium audio experience. They offer high-quality audio and advanced sound cancellation. The first wireless headphones by a French premium audio brand The Focal Bathys are an audiophile's delight. They have an open back design with luxurious materials, such as leather and aluminum detailing. The headphones come with features, like an app companion to the headphones that comes with an equalizer with a graphic design and presets for fine-tuning your listening preferences. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic leather cups, they deliver excellent isolation. They also support lossless audio which allows them to function as premium Hi-Fi headphones when wired.
Best over ear wireless headphones BT-600ANC wireless headphones are an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. They're light and comfortable, with excellent sound quality and noise cancellation that's impressive. These headphones come with a range of features including ANC and ambient-awareness modes, touch controls, and support for aptX and Apple AAC for high-quality audio. The BT600ANC are one of the few headphones that have an adjustable ambient awareness mode which allows you to listen to the sounds around you at a lower volume without switching off the music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to get out of the way on your long commute or during your workout. Wireless headphones eliminate the need for cords and provide the most convenient solution. The battery power of wireless headphones will deplete over time. You need to choose a pair that has long-lasting batteries.
Some models can run for days, or even weeks, on a single battery charge. This endurance comes with compromises. To achieve this, manufacturers have to reduce the battery size or reduce other features. The top wireless headphones have a great balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones usually come with larger batteries, however the bulky design means that they consume more power for features like active noise cancelling. On-ear headsets are smaller and portable. They don't block as much noise as their bulkier counterparts.
The Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set a new standard in wireless headphones. The two headphones can be used for a whopping 60 hours when ANC enabled. They are able to easily outlast top headphones in a similar price range like Sony's WH-1000XM5 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 is comfortable to wear and easy to use on the eyes. The headphones offer a lively sound profile with an emphasis on thumpy bass and bright trebles. The Focal headphones Px8 also come with a companion application that allows you to customize the sound.
On the other hand, Focal's wireless headphones are also one of the most expensive on the market. This is due in part to their top-quality materials and design. They also come with an option for fast charging that allows you to get two hours of music within just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is a good option if you're willing to the loss of battery life in exchange for better audio quality and a more comfortable fit.
Comfort
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones rest on the ears, not around them. The earpads will rest less on your earlobes and allow you to listen to your music for a longer time. The ear cups can also be sealed off from the music and make it more engrossing. This immersion also improves audio clarity because you can hear every nuance of a song without being distracted by other noise or the sound of your own voice.
Most over-ear headphones, however, are not as lightweight as earbuds. They are more difficult to keep in backpacks or pockets because of their larger size and lack of folding mechanism. A case is also needed to protect them when not in use. The majority of headphones come with a carrying bag, but it isn't ideal for people who prefer to listen to music moving around.
This pair of wireless headphones is ideal for audiophiles looking for top-quality headphones to use while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone provides excellent comfort as well as high-quality sound and noise cancellation for a reasonable cost. The earcups are made of premium materials and the headband is extremely comfortable. The audio quality is an improvement over its predecessor, featuring more clarity and a deeper sound. With a companion application that comes with an EQ and presets, you can alter the sound according to your preferences.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are yet another top option. They offer an elegant design and plenty of comfort. They're also available in a variety of colors and are made from premium leather, making them stylish enough to wear with a suit or a formal dress. These headphones' default sound profile is bass-heavy, resulting in more thump and punch that compliments EDM, hip-hop and other dance music genres. The Focal audio app comes with a built-in graphic equalizer that can help you improve the tone of instruments and vocals.
While it's not easy to determine which type of headphones are more comfortable, the overall experience depends on your personal preference. If you prefer headphones that are over-ear with a greater padding, choose a model that has moderate clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from feeling uncomfortable after long listening sessions, even with ANC activated.