5 Headphones Tips From The Professionals
Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones totally encase your ears, allowing you to be immersed in sound. headphones store are generally tuned for audiophiles, and come with features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.
The Focal Bathys is a wireless speaker that includes ANC as well as a mobile app to tweak the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening via USB-C.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5 earphones from Sony are the latest model in their noise cancellation line-up. They feature a new design, improved ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors but with premium materials and slightly higher-quality sound.
They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, weighing just 250g. This makes them extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even if you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband is supple, and has a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.
With an audio quality that can satisfy those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, the WH-1000XM5's sonic signature is tuned to put a little emphasis on bass but is not too loud or harsh. They have a large and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that lets you hear details in your music. The earcups also feature control buttons that are responsive and intuitive to use. You can swipe forward to access the next track, reverse to listen to the previous one as well as up and down to control the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices simultaneously and due to an inbuilt sensor, they automatically pause the playback if removed from your head. You can also turn on ambient mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup that lets you listen to what's happening around you, without taking off the headphones.
Other helpful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of premium fabric, and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers operating Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our test, we were able to achieve 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC turned on, which is better than Sony's advertised battery life of 30 hours.
The WH1000XM5 comes with a fantastic microphone for making calls. There's no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise cancellation is also great, and these headphones are ideal for public transportation or the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 provides a significant improvement over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and improved performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming enhanced active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice call quality on any compatible tablet or mobile phone. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled inside each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones provide outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy environments. A built-in remote and microphone allows you to control calls and music from any device compatible with it.
The headphones sport a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings that wrap around the earcups and a silver sheen for the headband. The earcups are cushioned with memory foam and sit comfortably on the cranium, yet don't feel tight. The redesigned form and shape took a long time to perfect, providing an easy clamping force that doesn't press too hard on my own cranium that is rotund.
They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and a bit thinner than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and remain in place throughout long listening sessions. The headband can be folded by using a sturdy hinge on the back.
They're powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support, which is good for both high-resolution audio and tight video sync. The 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful gesture with a green flash to indicate a rapid charge, and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in progress.
The B&W App provides the same features that the hardware onboard buttons offer - bass and treble adjustments as well as action button assignments wear detection, cycling through ANC modes, etc. The app also shows an album cover and track's title when you play music from your iPhone. Popular extras such as music presets and a soundscapes mode aren't available, however.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The HD 800 S is a successor to the iconic Sennheiser headphones, and is designed to meet the most demanding expectations. Its technical construction was optimized to achieve an incredible detail resolution that covers the entire frequency spectrum, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. It provides the most realistic spatial audio you'll experience on open-back headphones.
The headphone is 300 ohms in impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is needed to ensure it is operating at the desired levels without distortion. A balanced connection is recommended because it will increase the power output and increase the overall sound quality.
These headphones are made for professional use. They have a metal frame and a mix of leather and plastic padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't look extravagant, but the quality of the headphones and their construction are superb. They come with a carrying pouch as well as an additional audio cable as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.
The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with a natural sound, even however they are light on bass. The open-back design creates a spacious out-of-head soundstage. The treble performance is outstanding, with only minor dips and peaks. The treble region is extremely smooth, meaning you shouldn't have any issues hitting sibilants or the upper sound of the drum snare.
They can still deliver impact and dynamism in the event of need, despite the absence of a powerful low-end. They will still be enjoyable for those who like listening to music with powerful basslines, but they may not sound like some of the models on this list such as the HiFiMan Arya.
These Sennheiser headphones have a great mid-range. They're very straight and have a slight scoop in the upper mids that will not be noticed by most listeners. They are also able to reproduce precise time gradations in vocals, which is a big benefit.
The HD 800 S are a pair exceptional headphones, perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They are a top choice because of their outstanding audio quality and comfortable fit. They are expensive however you're buying a pair of headphones that will last for many years to be used and perform at their best in any setting.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20
The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a decent pair of headphones for those looking to pass the time or simply need a pair of affordable headphones that cancel out noise. They come with a basic bag which will provide protection when you put them in a bag and their battery can last multiple long haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chattering passengers and engine rumbles on the plane, but their audio profile is warmer and bass-heavy.
The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left ear cup there are buttons to power up and pair the headphones and for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are controls for playing back media that include a multi-function switch that allows you to activate the voice assistant of your phone and turn on the Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make hands-free calls with your phone.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones deliver an immersive and rich listening experience, due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that provide certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones have the treble range to go up to 40 kHz. Their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a variety of low- and mid-frequency sound.
Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is a pity. This means that you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while playing on your computer.
The Life Q20's headband as well as memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to be worn for long periods without discomfort. The ear cups are able to rotate so that they can adjust to the specific shape of your head, so you can have a comfortable fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.