The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s are costly, but they sound and look superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver and Nappa leather elevate the style. And a DAC mode that supports hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship features Bose’s industry-leading ANC technology, outstanding control and a sleek look. The battery life is the major selling factor.
Sound Quality
Wireless headphones with over-ears sound better because they surround your ears. They also come with larger, more powerful drivers that provide deep bass and wide soundstages. But this comes at a price: over-ear headphones typically have higher price tags with the top models priced at around $250, PS250 or $450 and often with active noise cancellation.
In the end, it's an issue of personal preference and what you use headphones for. If you are looking to listen to music in a noisy environment and are looking for comfort over audio quality, an affordable pair such as the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good option. If you want to spend a bit more, the IMG Throne Gold offer impressive audio and battery life, while the Focal Bathys are made for serious audiophiles with their DAC mode that supports hi-res audio via USB-C.
The mid-tier price range offers plenty of options and includes a variety of brands that offer headphones that sound great for an affordable price. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is an excellent example. They have a thumping bass and bright treble that are ideal for pop and rock music however, they also feature a clear midrange to keep instruments and vocals in the forefront. The new 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 big fan of Bose's premium headphones check out 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 distinction between wired and wireless headphones. The wireless protocol has several pitfalls that could affect audio quality. Audio codecs, like can alter the bandwidth, sample rates and the latency of wireless transmissions resulting in distortion and loss of detail.
These issues have been resolved by modern wireless headphones that utilize the latest Bluetooth technology. They also support advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm AAC. Most wireless over-ear headsets that we test provide high-quality audio at a reasonable price.
wireless over ear headphones
If you're looking to block out the noise of your office or get some shut-eye on an airplane, wireless over-ear headphones are an excellent choice. These large headphones are usually more comfortable than earbuds. Some models also feature active noise cancellation which makes your music and audio clearer.
Active noise cancellation uses microphones to detect ambient noise and use frequencies to counteract it, effectively separating you from the surrounding. Over-ear headphones that support this feature also include an inbuilt microphone to ensure your voice is clearly heard when you make phone calls. If you're seeking a pair of affordable wireless noise-canceling headphones, consider the Audio-Technica M20xBT, which comes with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These headphones with over-ears are a great choice for those who commute, and they are small enough to easily fit in your purse or bag.
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 outstanding audio quality and sophisticated noise cancellation. These French premium audio brand's first pair of wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream, featuring an open back design and luxurious materials like aluminum detailing and leather. The headphones are packed with features, including an app companion that comes with an equalizer graphic and presets to fine-tune your listening profile. They deliver excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers as well as the acoustic leather cups. Additionally, they can playback audio losslessly that allows them to function as hi-fi-quality headphones that are wired.
Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless headphones are a great option for those who are on a tight budget. They're lightweight and comfortable, with a good sound, and noise cancellation that's impressive. The headphones come with a broad selection of features like ambient awareness and ANC modes, touch controls, and aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT600ANC are also one of the only pairs of headphones to feature a programmable ambient awareness mode, which lets you listen to the background noise at a lower level without turning off the music.
Battery Life
The last thing you need is to be running out during your commute or during a workout. Wireless headphones eliminate the need for cords and provide a much more convenient solution. The battery power of wireless headphones can be depleted over time. You need to choose the one with long-lasting batteries.
Some models can run for days or even weeks on a single battery charge. This is a long-lasting feature that comes with trade-offs. To achieve this, manufacturers need to reduce the size of the battery or sacrifice other features. The best wireless headphones have an excellent balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones have bigger batteries, but they also require more power to run features such as active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets are smaller and lightweight. However, they don't have the same noise-blocking capabilities as their bulkier counterparts.
The Cleer Enduro ANC, and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set the new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for upto 60 hours with ANC. They are able to easily outlast top over-ear headphones with a similar price range, such as Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's 740III.
Similarly, Focal's debut wireless headphones are a true audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 over-ear headphones sport an open-back design that's comfortable to wear and easy to use on the eyes. The headphones offer a lively sound quality with a focus on the thumpy bass and the bright trebles. The Focal Px8 headphones come with an app companion to let you adjust the sound to suit your needs.
On the other hand, Focal's wireless headphones are also among the most expensive in the market. This is due to their premium materials and a premium build. They also have the fast-charge port which will give you up to two hours of listening time in only 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are a great choice if you're willing to make the sacrifice of longer battery life in exchange for excellent sound quality and an incredibly comfortable fit.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, rest on the ears instead of securing them. The ear pads will press less against your earlobes and allow you to enjoy your listening sessions for longer. The ear cups also help to keep your music in place and make it more immersive and offer an incredible audio experience. This immersive experience also enhances the audio quality since you can appreciate the subtleties of a song, without being distracted by background noise or your personal voice.
Over-ear headphones are, however, not as lightweight as earbuds. They are more difficult to keep in a pocket or backpack due to their heavier design and lack of folding mechanism. They also need cases to keep them protected when not in use. Although most headphones come with a carrying case, it isn't ideal and could be a problem for those who want to listen to music on the go.
This pair of wireless headphones is ideal for audiophiles looking for premium headphones that they can use when traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone is a great choice for comfort as well as sound quality and noise cancellation at a reasonable cost. Its earcups and headband are made of premium materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The sound quality is superior to the previous model, offering more clarity and a richer sound. You can also adjust the sound to your preference by using a companion app that includes an EQ and presets.
Another option that is a top choice is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones, that offer premium design and plenty of design and comfort. These headphones are available in a range of colors and come with premium leather. They look stylish enough to pair with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is bass-heavy. This creates a more thumpy and punchy sound that is perfect for EDM, Hip-Hop and other dance music genres. The Focal audio app has an integrated graphic equalizer that can help you improve the sound of instruments and vocals.
It's difficult to determine which kind of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer the feel of over-ear headphones, try a model with large padding and moderate clamping force. This will prevent your earlobes from becoming uncomfortable after long listening sessions even with ANC turned on.