The Best Over-Ear Headphones Over-ear noise-canceling headphones can make a huge difference for those who commute on noisy public transportation system, have a chatty work environment, or simply want to listen music without being distracted by outside noise. We've reviewed the best headphones for over-ear use that combine great sound quality with active noise cancellation. Mpow Over Ear Headphones These Bluetooth headphones from Mpow are built well and provide premium audio quality for the price. They are designed to be worn over your ears and feature ear cups that are comfortable to wear over your ears. This helps block out ambient noise. The earpads are a moderately padded cushion that insulates the ears well enough to block a large portion of noises from the outside. However, they do not have an active noise cancellation feature. They weigh just over 11 ounces and are fairly comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. These headphones are an elegant design that's not too far removed from most other models of over-ear headphones available. The headband that connects the two cups is hinged, allowing them to fold up into a compact package for transport and storage. The left earcup houses the controls for volume, power and noise cancellation. A microphone is built into the right ear cup for hands-free calls. The Mpow headphones offer a good sound quality, but they don't have the bass power or clarity of the Sony WH1000XM5. The PRTF accuracy and activation score are above average among Bluetooth headphone models. This should result in a spacious and wide soundstage when listening to music. Their PRTF distance score, however, is below average. This means they sound more closed in and less open when compared to headphones with earcups that are larger and open. The treble extension is also excellent, so you can have a clear and crisp sound that will work with all genres of music. The mids of Sony headphones are more distinct, which creates a more dynamic sound. This is perfect for music with lots of instruments. Some users find the bass to be to be a bit loud however you can adjust it to your preference by altering the equalizer settings of your audio player. The Mpow headphones are a good option for those who want to enjoy their favorite music without interruptions. They have an extended battery life and can be utilized in wired mode if the battery is exhausted. The headphones come with a USB charger and a cable, so you can enjoy your favorite music without interruption. The manufacturer offers a 45-day refund guarantee as well as an 18-month warranty on these headphones. Their customer service is also known for being responsive. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 The PX7 S2 are the most recent headphones that are over-ear to be featured in the Bowers & Wilkins catalog. They replace the PX7 model and are part of a larger line of wireless headphones that also includes the PI5 and PI7. The design of these headphones immediately feels luxurious when unboxed. The use of metals and textures on the ear cups gives them a luxurious feel. They also feel comfortable on the head and ears, despite being slightly heavier than their counterparts. The ears are easy to snap on and off, and can be replaced as they wear out. Like a lot of the top headphones, these models come with active noise cancellation, which reduces external sounds while still allowing you to listen to your music. The technology isn't perfect however it does a decent job of keeping the whir of a plane engine or the rumble of a train out of your ears, while not altering the balance of music tracks that might be on the same frequency. One thing that really makes the PX7 S2 apart from their competition is the soundstage they provide which provides ample space and a strong separation between distinct components of sound. This gives clarity to songs that can't be found on other Bluetooth headphones. Although the PX7 S2s aren't as movable as their rivals but they come with a fantastic carry case. It's also well-padded and the headphones fold flat to make it easy to store when not in use. The ear cups are covered with a soft, leather-like fabric that's quite indulgent to the feel. The ear cups are also light, making them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is designed to be as comfortable as is possible and doesn't hold too tightly, which can help to avoid headaches over time. The headphones are equipped with a variety of features that include Bluetooth multipoint, which allows them to pair with two devices at once. They support all of the most popular Bluetooth codecs, as well as high-res audio, when your streaming service allows it. They also have a headphone amplifier which gives them an additional boost when used with low-powered electronics such as laptops. Sony WH-1000XM5 The WH-1000XM5 are the newest model in the premium line of headphones that are over-ear and noise cancelling. These headphones are an excellent upgrade to their predecessors, WH1000XM2s and WH1000XM4. Sony has improved on its already impressive active noise cancellation. For instance, the fifth generation headphones are now able to block out low-frequency sounds, such as subway car rumbles and plane engine rumbles. They can also detect your location and automatically adjust the Ambient Sound Control settings accordingly. You can still make use of a voice-activated assistant in order to control your music, receive directions and more. The microphones in the ear cups have been upgraded, so they can be used for hands-free calls and Siri/Google Assistant commands. The headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible which means that they can be connected and pair more quickly. In our lab evaluations, the WH-1000XM5 have earned high marks for comfort, ease of use and sound quality. The lightweight headset is comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions without feeling tight on the head, and the ear cups are adjustable to fit different sizes of heads. The headphones fold flat, making them easy to pack into a suitcase or backpack. ear noise cancelling headphones are a bit larger than their predecessors and the headband has more refined curves to help to conceal the assembly points. They're covered with a brand new synthetic leather material, which provides additional durability and luxury. The earcup cavities are also a bit bigger and fit more comfortably against the ears, which may add a little pressure to the head after wearing them for prolonged periods of time. The XM5 retains certain of the features of the WH1000XM4s. You can swipe and tap on the right ear cup to switch songs or pause the audio and open Ambient Sound Mode. You can place your hands on the right earcup to temporarily reduce the volume and amp up ambient sounds. This is useful if you want to hear sounds around you. There are some subtle improvements in the XM5s which make them a great purchase for noise-canceling headphones. The new ANC provides greater isolation from low-frequency noise, and the headphones will stop your music when you remove them from your head in order to save energy. You can also switch to an open listening mode that lets in more exterior 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 ATH-ADX700 For those that are looking to purchase a set of headphones for their gaming setup the ATHXX700 is a great choice. They have high-quality sound and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They are lightweight, which means you won't feel them on your head or ears. They feature a self-adjusting 3D wing that adapts to your head, and eliminates pressure. The headphones include a cable that is easily connected to your audio source. These are open-air headphones that look quite unique, thanks to their huge earcups and honeycomb covers in black which reveal the drivers inside. The unique design helps them stand out from the rest, but it's not the only factor that makes them stand out. The self-adjusting wing support construction, new 53 mm drivers with bobbin wound CCAW voice coils as well as the aluminum casing made of honeycomb are what make these headphones so special and worth the investment. The ATH ADX700 has a broad frequency response that allows for an unmistakably natural, crisp treble. The sound isn't as booming like other models but that's because they are aimed at an audience of general music lovers who doesn't want to be blasted by excessive low frequencies. They're a great pair of headphones for gamers since they let you hear the voices of your friends and NPCs without being masked by a loud bass. The ATH ADX700 headphones have an impedance rating of 32 ohms, but still require an amp of a good quality to function optimally. When using them with a portable device, this is not a problem, however using a headphone amplifier makes it easier to control the sound and enjoy the full range. The ATH ADX700 comes with a 9.84-foot cable with a gold-plated 1/8-inch connector and an elastic TPE sheath to keep it from tangling and causing damage. The ATH-ADX700 comes with an 1/4 adapter for mobile devices. The earpads are made of velvety velour, which feels soft and soft at first, but will break in the end. They also feature a flexible raised fabric that increases comfort and durability.
ear noise cancelling headphones