The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s are expensive, but they look and sound cut above other headphones. The design is enhanced by a 40mm carbon cone driver as well as Nappa Leather. And a DAC mode that supports hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose's world-class ANC, excellent control and sleek and comfortable design. The battery life is its biggest selling feature.
Sound Quality
In general, wireless headphones tend to sound better than earbuds because they fully surround your ears. They also come with larger, more powerful drivers that can deliver large soundstages and deep bass. However, this comes at a cost and over-ear headphones usually have higher price tags and the most expensive models starting around $250 / PS250 / AUS$450, and often with active noise cancellation.
Ultimately, it's the choice of your personal taste and what you'll use your headphones for. If you're looking to listen to music in a noisy environment and prefer comfort over audio quality, a budget pair such as the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good choice. The I-MEGO Throne gold headphones have excellent sound and battery life. Focal Bathys, on the other hand, are designed to appeal to audiophiles, thanks to their DAC mode which supports hi-res via USB-C.
There are also some fantastic headphones that fall in the mid-tier price bracket. A variety of brands provide headphones that are great sounding at a low cost. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a great example, with a thumpy bass and a bright treble for pop and rock as well as a clear mid-range that keeps vocals and instruments prominent. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another excellent choice. It's got improved ANC, and a companion app that includes presets for various listening styles. If you're a big fan of Bose's premium headphone, consider the QC35 II for a similar experience, but with better passive noise cancellation and a more robust design.
Audiophiles are trained to differentiate between headphones. Even casual listeners can tell the difference between wired and wireless headphones. Wireless technology has many issues that could impact the quality of audio. Audio codecs, for example, can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and the latency of wireless transmissions which can cause distortion and loss of clarity.
Fortunately, these issues are now mostly solved with the latest wireless headphones that make use of the latest Bluetooth technology and also support advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless over-ear headphones we test have excellent audio quality at affordable prices.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless headphones over-ear can be the perfect option to block out the background noise in your workplace or on an plane. These big headphones are usually much more comfortable than earbuds and a lot of models provide active noise cancellation to make your music and calls clearer.
Active noise cancellation uses microphones to detect ambient noise and utilize frequencies to counteract it, effectively separating you from the surrounding. The majority of over-ear headphones that support this feature come with a microphone that is built-in to ensure that your voice can be clearly heard during phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT noise-canceling wireless headsets offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and a battery life of up to 60 hours. These over-ear headphones are an excellent choice for those who commute, and they are small enough to fit easily into your purse or bag.
If you're looking to invest a bit more into your audio experience then the Focal Bathys are a fantastic pair of premium wireless headphones that offer excellent audio quality and advanced noise cancellation. The first wireless headphones made by an French high-end audio company The Focal Bathys are an audiophile's delight. They feature an open back design and luxurious materials, such as leather and aluminum details. The headphones are loaded with features, including a companion app that includes a graphic equalizer and presets for fine-tuning your listening experience. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic Leather cups, they provide excellent isolation. They also have lossless audio support, allowing them perform as high-end Hi-Fi speakers when wired.
Monoprice BT600ANC wireless over-ear headphones are a great option for those on a budget. They're light and comfortable, with excellent sound quality and noise cancellation that's impressive. The headphones offer a wide range of features, like ambient awareness and ANC modes, touch controls, and aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT-600ANC are among the very few headphones that come with a programmable ambient awareness mode that lets you listen to the background noise at a lower level without turning off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to be running out on your long commute or during an exercise. best wireless in-ear headphones eliminate the need for cords and provide an easier solution. But their battery capacity diminishes with time, so you require a pair with exceptional endurance capabilities.
Some models can run for days, or even weeks on a single battery charge. However, this longevity comes with a price. To get there, manufacturers need to reduce the size of their battery or cut back on other features. The best wireless headphones have a perfect balance of battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones typically come with larger batteries, however their bulky design means they use more power for features such as active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets, on contrary, have a more compact design, which allows them to be more portable. However, they do not have the same noise-blocking capabilities as their larger counterparts.
The Cleer Enduro ANC and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set a new standard in wireless headphones. The two headphones can be used for a full 60 hours with ANC enabled. They can easily outlast top over-ear headsets in a similar price range such as Sony's W1000XM5 or Bose's S740III.
The Focal's first wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 headphones feature an open-back design that is comfortable to wear. The headphones feature a lively sound that is focused on trebles that are bassy and high-pitched bass. The Focal Px8 headphones come with a companion app that lets you alter the sound to suit your needs.
Focal's headphones are among the most expensive headphones available. This is due in part to their premium materials and build. 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 choice if you don't mind the loss of battery life in exchange for better sound quality and a more comfortable fitting.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds rest on your ear instead of being positioned around them. The earpads will press less against your earlobes, allowing you to listen to your music for a longer time. The ear cups can also be sealed off from the music, making it more immersive. This can also enhance audio clarity since you can be able to hear every detail of the song without being distracted by ambient noise or your own voice.
On the other hand over-ear headphones aren't as portable as earbuds. The bulkier construction and lack of folding mechanisms make them harder to carry around in backpacks or pocket. They also need a case to protect them when they are not in use. Most headphones come with a carry bag, but it isn't ideal for people who prefer to listen to music traveling.
This pair of wireless headphones is the best choice for audiophiles who need top-quality headphones that can be used while travelling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone is a great choice for comfort as well as sound quality and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. Its earcups and headband are made of premium materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The quality of the sound is an improvement over its predecessor, with more clarity and a deeper sound. With a companion app that includes an EQ and presets, you can alter the sound to suit your preferences.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a different premium alternative. They feature 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 an evening dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy. This creates an edgy and sluggish sound that compliments EDM and Hip-Hop as well as other dance music genres. The Focal audio app has an inbuilt graphic equalizer that can help you adjust the sound of vocals and instruments.
It's difficult to decide which type of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience depends on personal preference. If you prefer headphones for over-ear use with a greater padding, choose the one with moderate clamping force. This will help prevent your earlobes and ear canals from getting sore after long listening sessions, even with ANC turned on.