The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s might be costly but their design and sound are superior to other headphones. The design is enhanced with the 40mm carbon cone driver as well as Nappa leather. And a DAC mode supports hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose's world-class ANC as well as excellent control. It also has a sleek, comfortable design. Its biggest selling point however, is its battery life.
Sound Quality
In general, wireless headphones are more effective than earbuds since they fully surround your ears. They also have larger, more powerful drivers that provide large soundstages and deep bass. However, this comes at a cost that is why over-ear headphones generally cost more, with flagship models starting at around $250, PS250 or AUS$450, and often with active noise cancellation.
It's a matter of personal preference and the way you use your headphones. If you prefer comfort over audio quality and want to listen to music while in a noisy environment, a pair like the Jabra E50 or JBL Move Wireless are good options. If you're looking to invest a little more, the I-MEGO Throne Gold offer impressive sound and battery life, while the Focal Bathys are made for serious audiophiles thanks to their DAC mode that supports hi-res audio via USB-C.
The mid-tier price range has plenty of options, with a range of brands offering headphones that sound great at reasonable prices. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is a fantastic example. They feature a thumping bass and bright treble, ideal for pop and rock music, but they also have a clear midrange that keeps vocals and instruments in the forefront. The updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another excellent choice, with improved ANC and a great companion app with presets for different styles of listening. If you are a fan of Bose's premium headphone, the QC35 II offers a similar experience, but it has more robust and durable design that blocks out noise.
Audiophiles are trained to distinguish between headphones. Even casual listeners can tell the difference between wireless and wired headphones. Wireless headphones come with many issues that could impact the quality of audio. Audio codecs, like can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and latency of wireless transmissions, resulting in distortion and loss of detail.
These issues have been solved by the latest wireless headphones, which use the most up-to-date Bluetooth technology. They also support advanced audio codecs such as Qualcomm AAC. As a result, most wireless headphones that we review provide excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless over-ear headphones can be an excellent option to block out the background noise in your office or on an airplane. These big headphones are usually more comfortable than earbuds, and a lot of models provide active noise cancellation, which makes your music and calls more clear.
Active noise cancellation employs microphones to detect ambient noise and utilize frequencies to counteract it, effectively separating you from your surroundings. The majority of over-ear headphones that support this feature have a microphone that is built-in to ensure that your voice is clearly heard when you make phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT wireless noise cancelling headsets feature Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, and batteries that last up to 60 hours. These over-ear headphones make a great choice for commuters and are small enough to fit into a bag or purse.
If you're looking to invest more in your audio experience The Focal Bathys are a fantastic pair of high-end wireless over-ear headphones with excellent audio quality and advanced noise cancellation. The first wireless headphones made by a French premium audio company, the Focal Bathys are an audiophile's delight. They have an open back design with luxurious materials such as leather and aluminum details. They feature a broad array of features, including a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets that allow you to fine-tune your listening profile. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic leather cups, they provide great isolation. They also have lossless audio support that allows them to function as premium Hi-Fi headphones when wired.
Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless headphones are a great option for those on a budget. They're light and comfortable, with a excellent sound quality and noise cancellation that's impressive. These headphones come with a variety of features including ANC and ambient-awareness modes with touch controls as well as support for Apple AAC and aptX for premium audio. The BT-600ANC is one of only a few pairs of headphones that come with a programmable ambience awareness mode. This lets you listen to ambient noise at a reduced volume without having to shut off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to be unable to get juice halfway through the long commute or exercise session. Wireless headphones are a great alternative to a cord and offer an easier solution. The battery power of wireless headphones can be depleted over time. It is important to select a pair that has an extended battery.
Some models are able to stay up and running for several days or weeks on one charge. This is a long-lasting feature that comes with trade-offs. To achieve this, manufacturers must reduce the size of the battery or compromise other features. The best wireless headphones offer an ideal balance between battery life and performance.
Over-ear headphones typically come with larger batteries, however their bulky design means they also consume more power to run features like active noise cancelling. On-ear headphones, on the contrary, have a more compact design, which allows them to be more mobile. They aren't as able to block out noise as their bulkier equivalents.
The Cleer Enduro ANC, and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set a new standard in wireless headphones. Both headphones can play for a full 60 hours with ANC enabled. They are able to easily outlast top headphones in a similar price range including Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose's 740III.
Similar to the Focal Px8's first wireless headphones are a dream for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 over-ear headphones feature an open-back design that is comfortable to wear and easy to look at. The headphones have a dynamic sound with a focus on trebles that are bassy and high-pitched bass. The Focal headphones Px8 include a companion app that lets you customize the sound.
Focal's headphones are among the most expensive available. This is due in part to their premium materials and construction. They also come with a fast-charge port that can get you two hours of listening time with only 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is an excellent 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 the ears instead of being positioned around them. This means that the earpads are less pressed against your ears, which reduces the pressure on your earlobes and allows you to listen longer. The ear cups also help to seal in the music and make it more engrossing. This enhanced experience also improves audio quality because you can hear the subtleties of a song without being distracted by background noise or your own voice.
On the other hand over-ear headphones aren't as portable as earbuds. The larger size and absence of folding mechanisms make them difficult to fit in a backpack or in pockets. A case is also necessary to keep them safe when not in use. While many headphones come with a carry case, this can be a burden and be a hinderance for those who want to listen to music on the go.
This pair of wireless headsets is perfect for audiophiles looking for high-quality headphones they can use when traveling. The Bose QC35 II is a premium headphone that gives you great comfort, sound quality and noise cancellation for the price. The earcups and the headband are made from premium materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The quality of the sound is a step up from the previous model, offering greater clarity and more enticing sound. best budget over the ear wireless headphones can also alter the sound to suit your preferences with a companion app that includes an EQ and presets.
Another top option is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones which offer a premium design with plenty of design and comfort. They're also available in variety of colors and come with premium leather, making them elegant enough to be worn with a suit or an evening dress. The default sound profile is bass heavy which results in more energy and thump that complements EDM hip-hop, EDM, and other dance music genres. The Focal audio app has an inbuilt graphic equalizer that helps you correct the sound of vocals and instruments.
Although it's hard to determine which type of headphone is more comfortable, the overall experience depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer the feel of headphones with over-ears, try a model with thick padding and a moderate clamping force. This will prevent your earlobes feeling swollen even when ANC is on.