The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s are costly however, they sound and look superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver and Nappa leather elevate the design. A DAC mode is also included to provide high-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose's industry-leading ANC technology, excellent control, and a sleek design. The battery life is its major selling point.
Sound Quality
Wireless over-ear headphones sound better because they surround your ears. They also have earcups that are larger which allow powerful drivers to produce huge soundstages and deep bass. Over-ear headphones are more expensive, with flagship models starting at around $250/PS250/AU$450. They can also come with active noise cancellation.
It's all the choice of your personal taste and what you use headphones for. If you're looking to listen to music in a noisy environment and value comfort over quality of sound, a low-cost pair such as the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good choice. If you're looking to spend a little more, the IMG Throne Gold have a stunning sound and battery life, while the Focal Bathys are designed for serious audiophiles thanks to their DAC mode that can play hi-res audio via USB-C.
There are also some great headphones that are priced in the mid-tier category. A variety of brands make headphones that are great sounding at a reasonable price. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is an excellent example. They have a powerful bass and bright treble, perfect for rock and pop music However, they also have a clear midrange that keeps the instruments and vocals at the forefront. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another excellent choice, with improved ANC and a handy companion app that has presets for different styles of listening. If you're a fan of Bose's premium headphone, then 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. However, even casual listeners can notice the differences in sound quality between wireless and wired headphones, as the wireless protocol has a number of pitfalls that could impact the audio quality. For instance, audio codecs can change the sample rate, bandwidth and the latency of wireless transmissions which can cause distortion and loss of clarity.
These issues have been resolved by modern wireless headphones, which use the most recent Bluetooth technology. They also have advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless over-ear headphones we test have top-quality audio quality for an affordable price.
Noise Cancellation
If you're looking to block out the hum of your workplace or just relax on the plane, wireless over-ear headphones are a great option. These big headphones are typically more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also come with active noise cancellation which makes your music and sound clearer.
Active noise cancellation uses microphones to detect ambient sound and then use frequencies to block out the unwanted noise to isolate you from your environment. Over-ear headphones that have this feature have a microphone that is built-in to ensure that your voice is heard clearly during phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT noise-canceling wireless headsets come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and batteries that last up to 60 hours. These headphones are an excellent choice for those who commute and are compact enough to fit into bags or purses.
If you're looking to invest a little more in your audio experience then the Focal Bathys are an excellent pair of high-end wireless headphones that boast outstanding audio quality and sophisticated noise cancellation. The first wireless headphones made by an French high-end audio company, the Focal Bathys are an audiophile's dream. They feature an open back design and luxurious materials such as leather and aluminum accents. The headphones are packed with features, like a companion app that includes an equalizer graphic and presets for fine-tuning your listening preferences. They deliver excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers as well as Acoustic leather cups. Furthermore, they can playback audio losslessly which allows them to function as premium hi-fi headphones wired.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly alternative Monoprice BT-600ANC is a light, comfortable pair of wireless over-ear headphones that have high-quality sound and impressive noise cancellation for the price. The headphones come with a range of features, including ambient-awareness and ANC settings as well as touch controls and support for aptX and Apple AAC for high-quality audio. The BT600ANC are one of the few headphones that have a programmable ambient awareness mode, which lets you listen to the background noise at a lower volume without switching off your music.
Battery Life
The most important thing you don't want to do is to be unable to get juice halfway through the long commute or workout. Wireless headphones eliminate the need for a cord and offer the most convenient solution. But their battery capacity diminishes with time, so you'll need a pair with impressive endurance capabilities.
Some models can last for days, or even weeks on a single battery charge. This longevity comes with some trade-offs. To get there, manufacturers must reduce the size of the battery, or sacrifice other features. The best wireless headphones have an excellent balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones have larger batteries but also use more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets, on the contrary are more compact in design, which allows them to be more lightweight. They aren't as able to block out sound as their larger counterparts.
The Cleer Enduro ANC, and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set an industry standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for upto 60 hours with ANC. They will easily beat other top over-ear headphones with similar prices including Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose's 720 III.
Focal's first wireless headphones are an ideal choice for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 over-ear headphones sport an open-back design that's comfortable to wear and easy to use on the eyes. The headphones feature a lively sound, with a focus on trebles that are bassy and thumping bass. The Focal Px8 headphones also come with an app companion to let you customize the sound to your liking.
Focal's headphones are among the most expensive on the market. This is due in part to their top-quality materials and design. The headphones also feature a fast-charge feature that gives you two hours of audio with only 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is a good choice if you don't mind sacrificing battery life for better audio quality and a more comfortable fit.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, rest on your ear instead of being positioned around them. The earpads will rest less on your earlobes, which allows you to enjoy your listening sessions for longer. The ear cups can also be sealed off from the music and make it more engrossing. over-ear wireless headphones increases audio clarity since you can hear every nuance of a song without being distracted by other noise or the sound of your own voice.
The majority of over-ear headphones, however, are not as lightweight as earbuds. They are more difficult to keep in a backpack or pocket due to their bulkier design and lack of folding mechanism. A case is also required to protect them when not in use. While most headphones come with a carrying case, it can be cumbersome and may be a problem for those who want to listen to music on the go.
This pair of wireless headphones is the best choice for audiophiles who need top-quality headphones that can be used when travelling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone provides excellent comfort as well as high-quality sound and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. The earcups are made of premium materials and the headband is extremely comfortable. The sound quality has improved from its predecessor with a more clear and vibrant sound. With a companion app which includes an EQ and presets, you can tweak the sound according to your preferences.
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 a variety of colors and are made from premium leather, making them stylish enough to wear with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile is bass-heavy which results in more energy and thump that complements EDM hip-hop, rap and other dance music genres. The Focal audio app has an integrated graphic equalizer that helps you improve the sound of vocals and instruments.
While it's not easy to determine which type of headphone is more comfortable the overall experience will depend on your personal preference. If you prefer the feel of headphones that are over-ear, try a model with thick padding and a moderate clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from feeling sore even when ANC is turned on.