The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s may be expensive however their sound and design are superior to other headphones. The design is elevated by the 40mm carbon cone driver and Nappa Leather. A DAC mode is also included to allow high-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship features Bose’s industry-leading ANC technology, outstanding control and a sleek design. The battery life is the biggest selling feature.
Sound Quality
Wireless headphones with over-ears are more immersive because they surround your ears. They also have larger, more powerful drivers that provide high-quality bass and a wide soundstage. Over-ear headphones are more expensive with the most expensive models starting at about $250/PS250/AU$450. They can also come with active noise cancellation.
Ultimately, it's a matter of preference and what you're using headphones for. If you're looking to listen to music in a noisy setting and prefer comfort over quality of sound, a low-cost pair like 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 designed to appeal to audiophiles, thanks to their DAC mode that supports high-res via USB-C.
The mid-tier price range offers some great options too and there are a variety of brands that offer headphones that sound great for reasonable prices. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is an excellent example. They feature a thumping bass and a bright treble, perfect for rock and pop music, but they also have a clear midrange to keep vocals and instruments in the forefront. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another good option. It has improved ANC and a companion app that includes different listening styles and presets. If you're a fan of Bose's premium headphone, try the QC35 II for a similar experience with more passive noise cancellation and a more robust design.
Audiophiles are trained to recognize between headphones. Even casual listeners can discern the distinction between wired and wireless headphones. Wireless technology has several pitfalls that could affect audio quality. For instance, audio codecs can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and the latency of wireless transmissions, which can lead to distortion and loss of clarity.
These issues have been resolved by modern wireless headphones that utilize the most recent Bluetooth technology. They also support advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless over-ear headphones we test have excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless over-ear headphones can be a great option for blocking out the noise in your workplace or on an plane. These large headphones are usually more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also offer active noise cancellation that makes your music and sound clearer.
Active noise cancellation utilizes microphones to detect ambient noise and then utilize frequencies to counteract it, effectively separating you from your surroundings. Most over-ear headsets that support this feature have a microphone built-in to ensure that your voice is heard clearly when you make phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT noise-canceling wireless headsets come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, and the battery can last up to 60 hours. These headphones are the perfect choice for commuters and are small enough to fit in the bag or purse of a person.
The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a great option for those looking to invest in a high-end audio experience. They offer excellent audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. These French high-end audio manufacturer's first pair of wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream, with an open back design and luxurious materials like leather and aluminum details. The headphones are loaded with features, like an app companion that comes with an equalizer with a graphic design and presets to fine-tune your listening experience. They provide excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and Acoustic leather cups. Furthermore, they support lossless audio playback that allows them to function as hi-fi-quality headphones that are wired.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly alternative the Monoprice B-600ANC is a lightweight, comfortable pair of wireless headphones that offer high-quality sound and outstanding noise cancellation for the price. The headphones come with a broad selection of features such as ANC and ambient awareness modes, touch controls and AAC and aptX support to provide high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT-600ANC is one of the few headphones that come with an adjustable ambience awareness mode. This allows you to listen to ambient noise at a lower volume without having to turn off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you need is to be running out on your long commute or during a workout. Wireless headphones remove the need for cords and provide an easier solution. The battery power of wireless headphones will drain over time. It is important to select headphones with long-lasting batteries.
Some models can run for days or even weeks on a single battery charge. However, this endurance has its drawbacks. To achieve this, manufacturers must to reduce the size of their batteries or cut down on other features. The top wireless headphones have a great balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones typically come with larger batteries, however the bulky design means they also consume more power for features such as active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets are smaller and lightweight. They aren't as able to block out noise as their bulkier counterparts.
In terms of battery life, the Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless have set a new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for up to 60 hours with ANC. They are able to easily outlast top headphones in a similar price range like Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's 740 III.
Similar to the Focal Px8's first wireless headphones are a true audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 headphones have an open-back design, which is comfortable to wear. The headphones deliver a dynamic sound quality with a focus on the thumpy bass and the bright trebles. The Focal headphones Px8 also include a companion application which lets you personalize the sound.
On the other the other hand, Focal's wireless headsets are also among the most expensive on the market. This is due to their premium materials and premium design. They also have the fast-charge port which can give you two hours of listening time in just 15 minutes of charge. The Focal Px8 is an excellent choice if you don't mind sacrificing battery life for better sound quality and a more comfortable fitting.
Comfort
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones rest on ears instead of around them. The earpads will rest less on your earlobes and allow you to enjoy your listening sessions for longer. Ear cups also help seal in your music and make it more immersive and offer an incredible audio experience. This immersive experience also improves the quality of your audio because you can feel the subtleties of a song without being distracted by background noise or your own voice.
Most over-ear headphones are, however, not as portable as earbuds. They are more difficult to store in a backpack or pocket due to their bulkier design and lack of a folding mechanism. A case is also needed to protect them when not in use. Most headphones come with a carry bag, but it can be a hassle for those who enjoy listening to music on the move.
This pair of wireless headsets is perfect for audiophiles searching for high-quality headphones they can use while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone is a great choice for comfort as well as sound quality and noise cancellation for a reasonable cost. The earcups and the headband are made of top quality materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The audio quality is a step up from its predecessor, with more clarity and a deeper sound. You can also alter the sound to your preference with a companion app that includes an EQ and presets.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are yet another top alternative. They feature a premium design and plenty of comfort. wireless noise cancelling headphones are available in a variety of colours, and they have premium leather. They look elegant enough to go with a suit or a formal dress. These headphones' default sound profile is a bass-heavy which results in more thump and punch that compliments EDM, hip-hop and other genres of dance music. Vocals and instruments may be lost or hidden in the mix, and you can rectify using the Focal audio app's built-in graphic equalizer.
It's hard to say which type of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience is contingent on your personal preferences. If you prefer headphones that are over-ear with a greater padding, choose the one with a moderate clamping force. This will keep your earlobes becoming sore even when ANC is on.