The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s may be costly, but their sound and design are superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver as well as Nappa leather elevate the design. A DAC mode is also included to allow high-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship provides Bose's industry-leading ANC as well as excellent control. It also has a sleek and comfortable design. The battery life is the major selling point.
Sound Quality
In general, wireless headphones tend to sound better than earbuds because they fully cover your ears. They also have larger, more powerful drivers that can deliver large soundstages and deep bass. However, this comes at a price: over-ear headphones typically are more expensive and the most expensive models starting at about $250 / PS250 / AUS$450, and often with active noise cancellation.
It's a matter of your personal preferences and how you use your headphones. If you prefer comfort over sound quality and want to listen to music while in a noisy environment then a pair such as the Jabra E50 or JBL Move Wireless are excellent options. The I-MEGO Throne Gold headphones offer great sound quality and battery life. Focal Bathys, on the other hand, are specifically designed for audiophiles, with their DAC mode, which can play hi-res music via USB-C.
There are also some great headphones that fall in the mid-tier price category. A variety of brands make headphones that sound fantastic at a reasonable cost. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is a fantastic example. They feature a thumping bass and bright treble that are ideal for pop and rock music, but they also have a clear midrange that keeps instruments and vocals in the forefront. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another great option. It has improved ANC, and a companion app that includes presets for various listening styles. If you are a fan of Bose's premium headphone, the QC35 II offers a similar experience but with a more durable and passive noise-isolating design.
Audiophiles are trained to differentiate between headphones. But even casual listeners will notice the difference in the sound quality between wireless and wired headphones, as wireless technology has numerous issues that could impact the audio quality. Audio codecs, for instance, can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and the latency of wireless transmissions, leading to distortion and loss of clarity.
These issues have been solved by the latest wireless headphones, which use the most recent Bluetooth technology. They also support advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless headphones that we test provide excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless headphones over-ear can be an excellent option to block out noise at your office or on an airplane. These headphones are generally more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also come with active noise cancellation which makes your music and sound more clear.
Active noise cancelling employs microphones to discern ambient sound and then use frequencies to block out the unwanted noise, to effectively isolate you from your environment. Over-ear headphones that support this feature also have an inbuilt microphone to ensure your voice is clearly heard during phone calls. If you are looking for a pair of affordable wireless noise-canceling headphones look into the Audio-Technica M20xBT headphones, which come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These over-ear headphones make a great choice for commuters and are small enough to fit in a bag or purse.
If you want to invest more into your audio experience, the Focal Bathys are a great pair of premium wireless over-ear headphones with exceptional audio quality and sophisticated noise cancellation. The first wireless headphones by an French premium audio company, the Focal Bathys are a delight for audiophiles. They feature an open back design with luxurious materials such as leather and aluminum accents. They feature a broad array of features that include an app companion with a graphic EQ and presets that allow you to adjust your listening profile. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic leather cups, they provide great isolation. They also have lossless audio support which allows them to function as premium Hi-Fi headphones when wired.
For a more budget-friendly option Monoprice BT-600ANC is a lightweight, comfortable pair of wireless over-ear headphones that offer excellent sound quality and outstanding noise cancellation for the price. over the ear headphones wireless come with a broad variety of features, like ANC and ambient awareness modes, touch controls and aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT-600ANC is one of the few headphones that come with an ambient awareness mode that can be programmed that lets you listen to the background noise at a lower volume, without switching off your music.
Battery Life
The worst thing you could happen is to be unable to get juice halfway through the long commute or exercise session. Wireless headphones do away with cords and are a more comfortable option. However, their battery power diminishes over time, so you require a pair with exceptional longevity capabilities.
Some models are able to keep running for days or even weeks on a single charge. However, this longevity isn't without its trade-offs. To achieve this, manufacturers need to reduce the size of the battery, or sacrifice other features. The most effective wireless headphones offer an excellent balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones have bigger batteries, but they also require more power to run features such as active noise cancellation. On-ear headphones, on the other hand are more compact in design, which makes them more lightweight. They aren't as able to block out noise as their bulkier equivalents.
The Cleer Enduro ANC and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set an industry standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for up to 60 hours with ANC. They are able to easily outlast top headphones that are in similar prices, such as Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's 740 III.
Similarly, Focal's debut wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 headphones sport an open-back design, which is comfortable to wear. The headphones offer a lively sound with a focus on thumpy bass and bright trebles. The Focal Px8 headphones come with an app companion to let you adjust the sound to your liking.
Focal's headphones are among the most expensive on the market. This is due in part to their premium materials and construction. The headphones also feature the ability to charge quickly, which allows you to get two hours of listening within just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are a great choice if you're willing to sacrifice a longer battery life for a high-quality sound and a comfortable fit.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, rest on the ears instead of being positioned around them. The earpads will not press as hard against your earlobes, allowing you to enjoy your listening sessions for a longer time. Ear cups also be sealed off from the music, making it more immersive. This can also enhance the clarity of your audio as you be able to hear every detail of a song without being distracted by ambient noise or your own voice.
On the other hand over-ear headphones aren't as compact as earbuds. They are more difficult to keep in backpacks or pockets due to their bulkier design and lack of a folding mechanism. A case is also needed to keep them safe when not in use. Although most headphones come with a carrying case, this can be a burden and be a problem for those who wish to listen to music while on the move.
This pair of wireless headphones is a great choice for audiophiles who need high-quality headphones that can be worn while traveling. The Bose QC35 II is a premium headphone that gives you excellent comfort, sound quality and noise cancellation for the price. The earcups are made from premium materials and the headband is extremely comfortable. The sound quality is superior to its predecessor, with more clarity and a deeper sound. With a companion app that comes with an EQ and presets, you can adjust the sound according to your preferences.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a different premium option. They feature an elegant design and plenty of comfort. They're also available in variety of colors and come with premium leather, making them fashionable enough to wear with suits or a nighttime dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is bass-heavy. This produces an edgy and sluggish sound that compliments EDM, Hip-Hop and other genres of dance music. Vocals and instruments can sound veiled or buried in the mix, and you can rectify by using the Focal audio application's built-in graphic EQ.
It's difficult to determine which kind of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience will depend on the individual's preference. If you prefer the feel of headphones that are over-ear, try a model with large padding and moderate clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from feeling swollen even when ANC is on.