Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts and music without the requirement to connect a wire to your audio device. These headphones are great to use on public transport, in the office or at home.
Wireless over- noise cancelling wireless headphones are offered in a variety of styles and noise cancellation capabilities. They usually come with a sleek storage case.
Soundcore Q30
These over-ears are a major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They look better and feel more durable and have a more polished appearance. The hinges are more secure, and the soft leather cups are slightly larger. They are still largely made of plastic, but they're more polished. You can switch the 3.5mm cord for a high quality USB-C cable to make use of them with mobile Hi-Res and stationary Hi-Fi players. They also come with dual mics built in that worked well in our tests using FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app offers a vast variety of EQ presets, which can be adjusted and saved to listen to podcasts and music in the way you prefer. This is the thing that sets these headphones apart from most other ANC headphones and the Soundcore app is very easy to use.
When ANC is on the Q30's 40mm drivers effectively cut out almost all background noise, making for excellent listening. The Q30's sound signature is natural, but a little on treble. Some might be disappointed by the bass response (we had better results using the Bass Booster EQ). This can be fixed easily with the Soundcore App, which includes an eight-band Equalizer.
The headphones feature an power button and a pairing button on the left earcup along with a USB-C port for charging. The right earcup is equipped with buttons for volume up/down, play/pause and volume up/down. Double-clicking on these buttons allows you to skip tracks or repeat previous ones. They also come with the ability to speak which allows you to request to switch the mode or set an alarm. You can also cover the right ear cup by using your hands to activate ambient modes to allow you to hear everything around you without removing the headphones.
The Q30 headphones offer a long battery life. The Q30 was able to last for a full hour in our tests when ANC was turned on than its rivals. This allows you to take advantage of a long flight, or a full day at work. They can be charged quickly with the included USB-C cable and you'll be able to see an alert when they're getting empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of high-quality headphones for over-ear use that feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. These headphones are made to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or on the go. The headphones are a little higher priced than comparable headphones, but their outstanding audio quality is what makes them stand out.
The Focal Bathys come in a small attractive white box with a textured finish. It comes with everything you'll require. The headphone carry case folds flat, and comes with a case, USB-C to USB-C cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.
They're powered by a respectable 600mAh battery that can take you through a whole day of listening, and include an audio input for wired use. When they're wirelessly connected, they're connected via Bluetooth and you can control their functions using an app (now named Focal & Naim, probably in line with their English Naim brand's products that are network-aware) or using the dedicated button on the left earcup that scrolls between ANC profiles like'silent','soft' transparent' and 'full'.
The app lets you modify various settings, including the brightness of the LEDs and the EQ presets (including the music profile, which is more neutral and brighter than other profiles) and the battery life. You can also choose the ANC level and mode and setting an 'acoustic settings that adjusts the sensitivity in order to simulate the sound of the headphones in a different room.
The Focal Bathys come with an incredibly bass-rich sound that adds extra punch and warmth to your favorite tracks. The result is that instruments and vocals can sound muted, while details such as cymbals may be less prominent than on other headphones. The headphones are also less effective in active noise cancellation, compared to other over-ears with higher-end technology, like the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony headphones are well-known for their quality, and the WH1000XM5 is not an exception. It sits at the upper end of the mainstream over-ear headphone market, but it is also dipping into the 'luxury lifestyle' category where brands like Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc hang out. The XM5s come with a high price tag, but if you can afford it, there are few more superior wireless over-ear headphones out there.
The XM5s are loaded with features to simplify the lives of listeners and, in a few cases, automate tasks they'd otherwise have to handle manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music that has been compressed to near high-res) and Bluetooth's LDAC Technology are all included. That allows for streaming of high-quality audio at bitrates higher than conventional Bluetooth. There's even a built-in microphone to allow making calls hands-free.
Similar to the previous generation of WH headphones the XM5s excel in noise cancellation. They are among the best at reducing the constant drones that are heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s are also great at separating listeners from the noises of busy streets and airports.
The sound quality is excellent. The XM5s don't have as many details in the low-frequency range as the XM4, however they do have a greater sense clarity and openness. For instance, the bass on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys muscles with real power and definition, without reducing everything else. The XM5s also have the ability to deliver precise and tight bass notes in Massive Attack's Angel.
Battery life is great and can last up to 30 hours of listening time when ANC is in use and up to 40 hours when it's off. This is plenty for a weekend getaway or a long period of usage.
The only issue is that the XM5s lack any dust or water resistance protection. Sony recommends not sweating into the XM5s or taking them out in the rain. This might not be a big deal for most people however for those who spend much time in the gym or live in a rainy location it could be a big issue.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones that fit over the ear that come with Bluetooth technology and noise cancelling. Apple designed dynamic drivers measuring 40mm, with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids, but not going too loud. This makes them great for both music and movies. They also have higher fidelity than most rival headphones.
The headphones have a light design that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups are constructed out of memory foam that is covered in a woven fabric. They sit comfortably on the ears without putting pressure on the sides of the face. Ear cups can be flipped and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges feature a firm but not overly robust clamping force that ensures that the ear cups remain in place throughout listening sessions.
A small button at the top of the right earcup can be used to toggle noise cancellation modes. You can also use a pushable jog dial-like button similar to the digital Crown on the Apple Watch. You can turn it to control the volume and press it one, twice, or three times for playback controls. Siri is activated by pressing and pressing the button. The buttons are well-placed and simple to use, however I missed having the power button that could switch off the headphones when they are not in use. The headphones automatically go into standby mode when they are removed from your ears or placed in their case. They only wake up when you slide them over your head again.
Another cool feature is spatial audio, which uses the gyroscopes and accelerometers in the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to determine the direction you're moving in, and then repositions the sound to appear as if they're coming from those places. This creates an immersive theater experience for movies and videos that were recorded in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. Only iOS devices are able to listen to the spatial audio.
The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I would feel a bit ripped off if I spent $549 in an Apple Store knowing that the second-generation model would be better within a year. AirPods Pro are more expensive however they offer better battery life and advanced features.