The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s might be costly however their sound and design are superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver and Nappa leather elevate the design. A DAC mode is also included to allow high-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose's world-class ANC with excellent control and sleek, comfortable design. The battery life is the most important selling factor.
Sound Quality
Wireless over-ear headphones are more immersive because they surround your ears. They also have larger and more powerful drivers that provide high-quality bass and a wide soundstage. However, this comes at a price and over-ear headphones usually are more expensive with the top models priced around $250 / PS250 / AUS$450, and often with active noise cancellation.
It's all an issue of personal preference and what you'll use your headphones for. If you want to listen to music in a noisy environment and value comfort over quality of sound, a low-cost pair like the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good option. The I-MEGO Throne Gold headphones offer high-quality sound and a long battery life. Focal Bathys, on the other hand, are made for audiophiles, with their DAC mode that supports high-res via USB-C.
There are also some great headphones in the mid-tier price category. A range of brands provide headphones that are great sounding at a low cost. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a great example, with a thumpy 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 solid option, with improved ANC and a handy companion app with presets for different listening styles. If you're a fan of Bose's premium headphones consider the QC35 II for a similar experience with more passive noise cancellation and a more robust design.
Audiophiles are trained to recognize between headphones. However, even casual listeners can notice the differences in sound quality between wired and wireless headphones, since wireless technology has a number of pitfalls that could impact the audio quality. Audio codecs, like, can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and the latency of wireless transmissions resulting in distortion and loss of detail.
Fortunately the issue is largely resolved with modern wireless headphones that use the latest Bluetooth technology and also support advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm AAC. As a result, most wireless headphones that we test offer excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless headphones over-ear can be a great option for blocking out the noise in your office or on an plane. These headphones are generally more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also come with active noise cancellation, which helps to make your music and audio clearer.
Active noise cancelling utilizes microphones to detect ambient sound and then use frequencies that counteract the unwanted noise to isolate you from your environment. Most over-ear headphones that support this feature also come with a built-in microphone, which ensures that your voice is heard when you make phone calls. If you're seeking a pair of affordable noise-canceling headphones wireless look into the Audio-Technica M20xBT headphones, which come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These headphones over-ear are a great option for those who commute, and they are small enough to fit easily into your purse or bag.
The Focal Bathys wireless over-ear headphones are a great choice for those who wish to get a premium audio experience. They offer excellent audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. These French high-end audio manufacturer's first pair of wireless headphones is an audiophile's dream, featuring an open back design and luxurious materials like aluminum detailing and leather. The headphones come with features, including a companion app that includes an equalizer graphic and presets to fine-tune your listening preferences. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic Leather cups, they deliver excellent isolation. They also support lossless audio, allowing them perform as high-end Hi-Fi speakers when wired.
Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless headphones are a great option for those on a tight budget. They're light and comfortable, with a great sound and noise cancellation that is impressive. These headphones have a wide range of features, like ANC and ambient awareness modes, touch controls as well as AAC and aptX support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT600ANC are also one of the only headphones that have an adjustable ambient awareness mode that lets you listen to the surrounding noise at a lower volume without turning off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to be unable to get juice halfway through a long commute or a exercise session. Wireless headphones eliminate the need for a cord and offer a much more convenient solution. However, their battery power diminishes with time, so you'll require a pair with exceptional endurance capabilities.
Some models are able to stay up and running for days or even weeks on one charge. However, this longevity comes with a price. To achieve this, manufacturers must reduce the size of the battery or compromise other features. The best wireless headphones are a good balance between battery life and performance.
Over-ear headphones have larger batteries, but they also require more power to run features such as active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets, on other hand are more compact in design that allows them to be more portable. They don't block as much noise as their bulkier equivalents.
The Cleer Enduro ANC, and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set a new standard in wireless headphones. The two headphones can be used for a whopping 60 hours with ANC enabled. They will easily beat other top headphones that are in a similar price range like Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's 740 III.
Similarly, Focal's debut wireless headphones are a true audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 over-ear headphones feature an open back design that's comfortable to wear and easy to use on the eyes. They have a vibrant sound with a focus on bassy trebles and thumping bass. The Focal Px8 headphones come with an app companion that lets you adjust the sound to suit your needs.
On the other side, Focal's wireless headphones are also among the most expensive on the market. This is due in part to their high-end materials and a premium build. The headphones also feature a fast-charge feature that allows you to get two hours of music in just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is a great choice if you don't mind the loss of battery life in exchange for better audio quality and a more comfortable fit.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds rest on the ears instead of being positioned around them. The ear pads press less against your ears and reduces the pressure on your earlobes and allows you to listen longer. Ear cups also help seal in your music and make it more immersive and offer an amazing audio experience. This experience is also more immersive and improves the quality of your audio because you can feel the subtleties of the music without being distracted by background noise or your own voice.
The majority of over-ear headphones aren't as lightweight as earbuds. They are more difficult to keep in backpacks or pockets due to their heavier design and lack of folding mechanism. A case is also needed to protect them when they are not in use. The majority of headphones come with a carry bag, but this isn't ideal for people who prefer to listen to music while on the move.
This pair of wireless headphones is the best option for audiophiles looking for top-quality headphones that can be used while travelling. The Bose QC35 II is a premium headphone that offers excellent comfort, sound quality and noise cancellation for the price. The earcups are made of premium materials, and the headband is extremely comfortable. The audio quality has improved from its predecessor, with more rich and clear sound. You can also alter the sound to your preference through a companion application that includes an EQ and presets.
Another top option is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones, which feature a premium design with plenty of fashion and comfort. on-ear headphones wireless are available in a variety of colors and come with premium leather. They're elegant enough to wear with a suit or a formal dress. These headphones' default sound profile is bass-heavy, resulting in more thump and punch that compliments EDM, hip-hop and other dance music genres. Vocals and instruments may be lost or hidden in the mix, and you can correct using the Focal audio app's built-in graphic EQ.
It's difficult to decide which headphone type is more comfortable. The overall experience depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer headphones for over-ear use with a greater padding, pick one with moderate clamping force. This will help prevent your earlobes from feeling uncomfortable after long listening sessions, even with ANC turned on.