The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s are costly however they sound and look cut above other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver as well as Nappa leather elevate the design. Also, a DAC mode can play hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship is Bose's top-of-the-line ANC technology, superior control, and a sleek design. The battery life is the most important selling factor.
Sound Quality
Wireless over-ear headphones sound better because they surround your ears. They also have larger earcups which allow powerful drivers to provide deep bass and vast soundstages. Over-ear headphones are more expensive with models that are flagship priced at around $250/PS250/AU$450. They are also typically equipped with active noise cancellation.
It's all the choice of your personal taste and what you're using headphones for. If you are looking to listen to music in a noisy space and are looking for comfort over audio quality, an affordable pair like the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good choice. If you're looking to invest more, the I-MEGO Throne Gold have a stunning sound quality and battery life while the Focal Bathys are designed for serious audiophiles thanks to their DAC mode that supports hi-res audio via USB-C.
There are also some fantastic headphones that fall in the mid-tier price range. A range of brands make headphones that sound great at a reasonable price. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a good example, featuring a thumping bass and a bright treble for rock and pop as well as a clear mid-range that keeps vocals and instruments prominent. The updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another good choice, with a better ANC and a handy companion app that has presets for various listening styles. If you're a big fan of Bose's premium headphones, try the QC35 II for a similar experience, but with better passive noise isolation and a more robust design.
Audiophiles have well-trained ears and know how to discern the difference between headphones. Even the casual listener can tell the distinction between wired and wireless headphones. Wireless technology has several pitfalls that could affect the quality of audio. Audio codecs, for instance can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and the latency of wireless transmissions which can cause distortion and loss of detail.
These issues have been largely solved by wireless headphones, which use the most up-to-date Bluetooth technology. They also have advanced audio codecs such as Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless over-ear headphones we test offer excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
If you're looking to block out the hum of your office or catch some shut-eye on the plane wireless headphones are a great choice. These headphones are generally more comfortable than earbuds and a lot of models provide active noise cancellation to make your music and audio calls more clear.
Active noise cancellation utilizes microphones to detect ambient sounds and then employ frequencies that counteract the unwanted noise, to effectively isolate you from your environment. Over-ear headphones that support this feature also come with an inbuilt microphone to ensure your voice is heard during phone calls. If you're looking for a pair of low-cost wireless noise cancelling headphones, consider the Audio-Technica M20xBT, which offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These headphones are a great choice for commuters and are small enough to fit in bags or purses.
If you want to invest a little more into your audio experience then the Focal Bathys are an excellent pair of premium wireless headphones that offer excellent audio quality and advanced noise cancellation. The first wireless headphones by a French high-end audio company, the Focal Bathys are a delight for audiophiles. They have an open-back design that is adorned with luxurious materials such as leather and aluminum accents. The headphones are packed with features, like a companion app that includes a graphic equalizer and presets for fine-tuning your listening preferences. They deliver excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and Acoustic leather cups. Furthermore, they can playback audio losslessly, allowing them to perform as premium hi-fi headphones wired.
For a less expensive option Monoprice BT-600ANC is a light, comfortable pair of wireless headphones that have excellent sound quality and impressive noise cancellation for the price. The headphones come with a variety of features including ambient-awareness and ANC modes as well as touch controls and support for aptX and Apple AAC for premium audio. The BT600ANC are among the very few pairs of headphones to feature an ambient awareness mode that can be programmed that lets you listen to the sounds around you at a lower volume, without turning off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you need is to get out of the way during your commute or during a workout. Wireless headphones are a great alternative to cords and provide the most convenient solution. The battery power of wireless headphones will drain over time. You need to choose the one with an extended battery.
Certain models are able to keep running for days or even weeks on just one charge. However, this endurance has its drawbacks. To achieve this, manufacturers must to reduce the size of their batteries or reduce other features. The most effective wireless headphones offer a perfect balance of battery capacity 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 headsets, on the contrary are more compact in design, which makes them more portable. However, they don't have the same noise-blocking features as their bulkier counterparts.
In terms of battery longevity, the Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless have set the bar for wireless headphones. The two headphones can be used for a full 60 hours when ANC enabled. They can easily outlast other top headphones that are in a similar price range like Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's 720 III.
Focal's first wireless headphones are a dream for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 over-ear headphones sport an open-back design that is comfortable to wear and easy to use on the eyes. The headphones have a dynamic sound that is focused on bassy trebles and a high-pitched bass. The Focal Px8 headphones come with a companion app that lets you alter the sound to suit your preferences.
beats studio 3 headphones wireless are among the most expensive headphones available. This is due to their top-quality materials and design. They also come with the fast-charge port which will give you up to two hours of listening time in just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are a great choice if you're willing trade in a longer battery life for superior sound quality and an incredibly comfortable fit.
Comfort
In contrast to earbuds, the over-ear headphones rest on your ears instead of around them. The ear pads press less against your earlobes, allowing you to listen to your music for longer. Ear cups also be sealed off from the music which makes it more immersive. This enhanced experience also improves audio quality because you can feel the subtleties of the music without being distracted by background noise or your personal voice.
The majority of over-ear headphones, however, are not as lightweight as earbuds. The larger size and absence of folding mechanisms makes them harder to pack into backpacks or pocket. A case is also necessary to keep them safe when not in use. Most headphones come with a carrying bag, but it can be a hassle for those who like to listen to music traveling.
This pair of wireless headphones is the best option for audiophiles that require high-quality headphones that can be worn while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone is a great choice for comfort, sound quality, and noise cancellation for a reasonable price. The earcups are made of premium materials and the headband is extremely comfortable. The sound quality is a step up from its predecessor, featuring more clarity and a deeper sound. You can also alter the sound to your preference by using a companion app that features an EQ and presets.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a different premium alternative. They offer high-end design and plenty of comfort. These headphones are available in a range of colors, and have premium leather. They are stylish enough to pair with a suit or an evening dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy. This produces a more thumpy and punchy sound that is perfect for EDM and Hip-Hop, as well as other genres of dance music. The Focal audio app has an inbuilt graphic equalizer that helps you correct the sound of instruments and vocals.
It's difficult to decide which type of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience will depend on your personal preferences. If you prefer over-ear headphones with a more comfortable padding, select a model that has moderate clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from feeling swollen even when ANC is on.