The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s may be costly but their sound and design are superior to other headphones. The design is enhanced by a 40mm carbon cone driver and Nappa leather. Additionally, a DAC mode can play hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship offers Bose's industry-leading ANC with excellent control and a sleek, comfortable design. The battery life is the major selling factor.
Sound Quality
In general, wireless headphones generally sound better than earbuds because they fully surround your ears. They also have earcups that are larger that allow room for powerful drivers to provide deep bass and vast soundstages. However, this comes at a cost that is why over-ear headphones generally have higher price tags, with flagship models starting around $250 / PS250 / AUS$450, and often with active noise cancellation.
It's ultimately a matter of personal preference and how you use your headphones. If you prefer comfort over quality and prefer to listen to music in a noisy environment, a pair like the Jabra E50 or JBL Move Wireless are excellent alternatives. The I-MEGO Throne Gold headphones provide excellent sound 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.
The mid-tier price bracket has many great options, with a range of brands that offer headphones that are great sounding for reasonable prices. 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 However, they also have an uncluttered midrange that keeps vocals and instruments in the forefront. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another excellent choice. It has improved ANC and a companion app that includes different listening styles and presets. If you are a fan of Bose's premium headphone, the QC35 II offers a similar experience, but it has more robust and durable design that blocks out noise.
Audiophiles have trained ears and know how to hear the difference between a pair of headphones. Even casual listeners can discern the difference between wired and wireless headphones. Wireless headphones come with several pitfalls that could affect 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.
Fortunately, these issues are now mostly solved with the latest wireless headphones that use the latest Bluetooth technology and are compatible with advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm AAC. In the end, the majority of wireless over-ear headphones that we test offer excellent audio quality for the price.
Noise Cancellation
If you're looking to block out the noise of your workplace or catch some shut-eye on the plane, wireless over-ear headphones are an excellent choice. These big headphones are typically more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also offer active noise cancellation which helps to make your music and audio clearer.
Active noise cancelling utilizes microphones to detect the ambient sound and use frequencies that block out unwanted noise to isolate you from the surrounding. Over-ear headphones that have this feature come with an integrated microphone to ensure that your voice is clearly heard when you make phone calls. If you're looking for affordable wireless noise-canceling headphones, consider the Audio-Technica M20xBT, which comes with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These headphones over-ear are a great choice for those who commute, and are small enough to easily fit in your purse or bag.
The Focal Bathys wireless over-ear headphones are an excellent choice for those looking to invest in a high-end audio experience. They offer outstanding audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. These French high-end audio manufacturers' first pair of wireless headphones are a audiophile's dream, with an open back design and luxurious materials like leather and aluminum details. They boast a rich suite of features that include an app that can be used as a companion to the headphones, with graphic EQ and presets to adjust your listening profile. They offer excellent isolation thanks to their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers as well as acoustic leather cups, and they support lossless audio playback, allowing them to perform as high-end hi-fi headphones when wired.
For a more budget-friendly option the Monoprice B-600ANC is a lightweight, comfortable pair of wireless headphones that offer high-quality sound and impressive noise cancellation for the price. The headphones come with a range of features like ambient-awareness and ANC settings, touch controls, and support for aptX and Apple AAC for premium audio. The BT-600ANC is also among only a few pairs of headphones that feature a programmable ambience awareness mode. This allows you to listen to the ambient noise at a lower volume without having to shut off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to get out of the way on a long commute or during an exercise. Wireless headphones are a great alternative to a cord and offer an easier solution. But their battery capacity diminishes with time, so you require a pair with exceptional longevity capabilities.
on ear wireless headphones are able to stay up and running for days or even weeks on just one charge. This is a long-lasting feature that comes with compromises. In order to get there, manufacturers need to reduce the battery size or cut back on other features. The best wireless headphones are a good balance between battery life and performance.
Over-ear headphones typically come with larger batteries, however the bulky design means they use more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headphones, on the contrary are more compact in design that allows them to be more lightweight. However, they do not 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. Both headphones can play music for up to 60 hours with ANC. They can easily outlast top headphones with over-ears at a similar price like Sony's W1000XM5 or Bose's S740 III.
Similarly, Focal's debut wireless headphones are a true audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 headphones have an open-back design that is comfortable to wear. The headphones have a dynamic sound, with a focus on bassy trebles and powerful bass. The Focal Px8 headphones also feature an app companion to let you adjust the sound to suit your needs.
On the other side, Focal's wireless headphones are also among the most expensive in the market. This is due to their premium materials and build. They also have a fast-charge port that can give you two hours of listening time in just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are a great choice if you're willing to trade in a longer battery life for superior sound quality and an incredibly comfortable fit.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds rest on the ears instead of being positioned around them. The ear pads will rest less on your earlobes, which allows you to enjoy your listening experience for longer. The ear cups also help to seal in the music which makes it more immersive. This also increases the clarity of your audio as you be able to hear every detail of the song without being distracted by background noise or the sound of your own voice.
Over-ear headphones, however, are not as portable as earbuds. The larger size and absence of folding mechanisms make them harder to fit in a backpack or pockets. They also require a case to protect them when not in use. While many headphones come with a carrying case, it can be a burden and be a problem for those who prefer to listen to music while on the move.
This pair of wireless headphones is perfect for audiophiles searching for premium headphones that they can use while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone is a great choice for comfort as well as sound quality and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. Its earcups and headband are made from premium materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The quality of the sound has improved over its predecessor with a more clear and vibrant sound. With a companion application that includes an EQ and presets, you can adjust the sound to suit your preferences.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are yet another top option. They feature high-end design and plenty of comfort. They're also available in variety of colors and are made from premium leather, making them fashionable enough to wear with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is bass-heavy. This creates an edgy and sluggish sound that complements EDM and Hip-Hop, as well as other dance music genres. The Focal audio app comes with a built-in graphic equalizer that can help you adjust the tone of instruments and vocals.
While it's difficult to say which type of headphones are more comfortable the overall experience will depend on your personal preference. If you prefer headphones that are over-ear with a greater padding, pick a model that has a moderate clamping force. This will prevent your earlobes from becoming uncomfortable after long listening sessions, even with ANC enabled.