The Best Over-Ear Headphones
If you commute on noisy public transportation or work in an office with noisy coworkers or simply want to listen to your music without the distraction of outside noise, headphones that block out noise can make all the difference. We've reviewed the best headphones for over-ear use that combine great audio quality and active noise cancellation.
Mpow Over Ear Headphones
These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow have a good solid build and offer high-quality audio that is impressive for their price. They are designed to be worn over your ears, and come with earcups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This will help block out noise from the outside. The earpads are a moderately padded cushion that effectively shields the ears to block a large portion of environmental sounds. However they do not come with an active noise cancellation capability. The earpads are a little heavier than 11 ounces, but they are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
The Mpow headphones have simple and not much different from other designs of over-ear headphones on the market. The headband that connects the two ear cups is hinged, allowing them to fold up into a compact size to transport and store. The left earcup houses the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. A microphone is built into the right ear cup to allow hands-free calling.
The sound quality from the Mpow headphones is excellent, although they do not have the bass power of Bose or the clarity of the Sony WH-1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation scores are above average for Bluetooth headphone models. This should result in a large and wide soundstage when listening music. Their PRTF distance score is lower than average. This means that they sound more closed-in and less open than headphones with larger, open-backed earcups.
The treble extension is excellent, so you can enjoy a clear and crisp sound that can be used with all genres of music. Their mids are a more prominent in comparison to the Sony headphones which creates a somewhat more dynamic sound that is ideal for music that is instrument-rich. Some users find the bass to be slightly too loud, but you can alter this to your personal preference by changing the equalizer settings in your audio player.
The Mpow headphones come with a long battery life, and can be utilized in wired mode when your charge runs out. They come with a cable and a USB charger in the box, which means you can continue to enjoy your favorite tunes without any interruptions. The manufacturer offers a 45-day money back warranty, along with an 18-month guarantee on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for its speedy response.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 are the latest headphones for over-ears that have graced the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. The PX7 is replaced by the PX7 S2 and they are part of a wider collection of wireless headphones which also includes the PI5 & PI7. Unboxed, the style of these headphones instantly evokes the feeling of luxuriousness. The use of textured materials and metals on the earcups and headband give them a perfectly designed and constructed feel. They also are comfortable on the ears and head although they are slightly heavier than the other models. The Ear pads are easy to snap on and off, which means they can be replaced if they wear out.
These headphones are equipped with active noise cancellation. This helps to block out external sounds but still allows you to listen to your music. The technology isn't perfect, but it does an excellent job of keeping train and plane engine noises out of your canals without altering the balance between music and other sounds.
One thing that sets the PX7 S2 apart from their competition is the soundstage they provide which provides plenty of space and strong separation between individual sound elements. This brings a clarity to music that cannot be found on other Bluetooth headphones.
While the PX7 S2s aren't as lightweight as some of their competitors but they come with a nice carry case. The case is well-padded, and the headphones fold flat when not in use.
The ear cups are made of an enveloping, soft leather that feels luxurious to touch. The ear cups are also light, making them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to be as comfortable as possible and doesn't hold too tightly, which helps to avoid headaches over time.
The headphones are equipped with a variety of features including Bluetooth multipoint that allows them to be paired with two devices simultaneously. They are compatible with all the most popular Bluetooth codes, as well as high-resolution audio if your streaming service supports it. They also come with an amplifier for headphones that provides extra power when using them with low-powered electronics like laptops.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5 is the latest in Sony's premium noise cancelling headphones for over-ear use. These headphones are a great upgrade to their predecessors, the WH1000XM2s or the WH1000XM4. Sony has improved its already impressive active noise cancellation. The fifth-generation headphones, for instance can now block low-frequency sounds like plane engines and subway car rumbles. They can also detect where you are and adjust the ambient sound control settings to suit your location.
You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant to control your music, get directions, and much more. The microphones on the ear cups are upgraded to allow them to be used to make hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means they can be connected and pair more quickly.
In our lab tests the WH1000XM5 received high scores for comfort, user-friendliness and the sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and the earcup can be adjusted to fit various head sizes. The headphones are able to be carried around and their flat foldable design allows them to easily fit into a backpack or suitcase.
The ear cups are slightly more curly than their predecessors, and the headband is fitted with more refined curves that to conceal the assembly points. The new synthetic leather adds durability and luxury. The ear cup cavities are also a bit larger and fit more comfortably against the ears. This can cause some pressure to the head after wearing them for extended periods of time.
The XM5 has some of the basic features of the WH1000XM4s. You can still swipe or tap the right ear cup to switch between songs, pause audio, and access Ambient sound mode. You can place your hands on the left earcup to temporarily lower the music and amp up ambient sounds. This is useful if you need to hear things around you.
The XM5s have a few small improvements that make them a good option for headphones that block out noise. The new ANC offers greater isolation from low-frequency noise and the headphones will stop your music when lifted from your head to save energy. Transparent listening mode lets in more external sound. A new battery-power-consumption algorithm gives the XM5s the same 30-hour battery life rating as their predecessor, and a quick press of the power button will alert you to your remaining charge.
Skullcandy ADX700
For those that are looking to get a set of headphones to accompany their gaming setup, the ATH-ADX700 is a great choice. They provide excellent sound quality and are comfortable to wear for a long period of time. They are lightweight, which means you won't feel them on your head or ear. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wing that can relieve pressure and adjust to the shape of your head. They also have a detachable cord that is easy to connect to your audio source.
These are open-air headphones that look rather unusual, thanks to their massive earcups as well as black honeycomb covers which reveal the drivers inside. This unique design makes them stand out from the crowd, but it's not the only feature that makes them stand out. The self-adjusting wing support construction and the new 53mm drivers that feature bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils as well as the aluminum casing made of honeycomb are the main reasons these headphones are distinctive and worth the cost.
The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response, which allows for an unmistakably natural, crisp treble. The sound is not as bassy as some other headphones because they are designed for an average music lover who isn't one to be surrounded by low frequencies. They're an excellent pair of headphones for gamers as they allow you to hear the voices of your friends and NPCs without being muffled by a heavy bass.
The ATH-ADX700 headphones come with an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require an amp of a good quality to operate at its best. This is not a problem when using them on an audio player that is portable however, it will be much more manageable and enjoy their full range of sound when they are paired with a suitable headphone amplifier.
The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable that has a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath that helps resist tangling and damage. The ATH-ADX700 comes with a 1/4" adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of a soft velour material that is initially itchy and feels soft, but then breaks into. The earpads are also made of a flexible higher-quality material that enhances the comfort and durability.