The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s might be costly but their sound and design are superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver and Nappa leather elevate the design. Also, a DAC mode that supports hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship provides Bose's industry-leading ANC, excellent control and sleek, comfortable design. Its biggest selling point however, is the battery life.
Sound Quality
Wireless headphones with over-ears are more immersive because they surround your ears. They also come with larger, more powerful drivers that provide deep bass and wide soundstages. Over-ear headphones are more expensive with models that are flagship priced at around $250/PS250/AU$450. They also often feature active noise cancellation.
It's a matter of your personal preference and how you use your headphones. If you prefer comfort over sound quality and would like to listen to music while in a noisy environment such as the Jabra E50 or JBL Move Wireless are great options. The I-MEGO Throne gold headphones have excellent sound and battery life. Focal Bathys, on the other hand, are made for audiophiles with their DAC mode which supports hi-res via USB-C.
There are also some fantastic headphones that are priced in the mid-tier range. A range of brands offer headphones that sound great at a reasonable cost. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a great example, with a thumpy bass and bright treble for pop and rock and a clear mid-range that makes instruments and vocals prominent. The updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another good option. It's got improved ANC and an app companion that comes with presets for various listening styles. If you're a big fan of Bose's premium headphones, consider the QC35 II for a similar experience with more passive noise cancellation and a more durable design.
Audiophiles are trained to differentiate between headphones. But even casual listeners will be able to discern the difference in the quality of sound between wireless and wired headphones, as wireless technology has several issues that could impact the audio quality. For instance, audio codecs can change the bandwidth, sample rate and latency of a wireless transmission which can cause distortion and loss of audio clarity.
Fortunately, these issues are now much better with modern wireless headphones that make use of the most up-to-date Bluetooth technology and are compatible with advanced audio codecs such as Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless over-ear headphones we test have high-quality audio at affordable prices.
Noise Cancellation
If you're looking to block out the hum of your workplace or get some shut-eye on an airplane, wireless over-ear headphones are a great option. These headphones are generally more comfortable than earbuds and many models come with active noise cancellation that makes your audio and music calls clearer.
Active noise canceling uses microphones to detect the ambient sound and use frequencies to block out the unwanted noise, to effectively isolate you from your environment. Most over-ear headphones that support this feature also include an inbuilt microphone to ensure your voice is clearly heard during phone calls. If you're looking for a pair of affordable noise-canceling headphones wireless take a look at the Audio-Technica M20xBT, which comes with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These over-ear headphones are a great choice for commuters and are small enough to fit in a bag or purse.
The Focal Bathys wireless over-ear headphones are a great choice for those looking to get a premium audio experience. They offer outstanding audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. The first wireless headphones made by an French high-end audio company, the Focal Bathys are an audiophile's delight. They feature an open back design with luxurious materials, such as leather and aluminum details. on ear wireless headphones are packed with features, like a companion app that includes a graphic equalizer and presets for fine-tuning your listening preferences. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic leather cups, they offer great isolation. They also have lossless audio support that allows them to function as premium Hi-Fi headphones when wired.
For a more budget-friendly option Monoprice BT-600ANC is a comfortable, lightweight pair of wireless over-ear headphones that have good sound quality and impressive noise cancellation for the price. These headphones come with a range of features including ambient-awareness and ANC modes as well as touch controls and support for Apple AAC and aptX for high-quality audio. The BT-600ANC is also one of the few headphones that have an adjustable ambience awareness mode. This lets you listen to the ambient noise at a reduced volume without having to turn off the music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to be running out during your commute or during a workout. Wireless headphones remove the need for cords and provide the most convenient solution. The battery power of wireless headphones will deplete over time. You should select a pair that has a long-lasting battery.
Some models can run for days, or even weeks on a single battery charge. However, this comes with a price. To get there, manufacturers must reduce the size of the battery or sacrifice other features. The most effective wireless headphones offer a perfect balance of battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones have larger batteries but also use more power to run features such as active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets are smaller and portable. However, they do not have the same noise-blocking capabilities as their bulkier counterparts.
The Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set the new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play for a whopping 60 hours with ANC enabled. They can easily outlast top headphones with over-ears at a similar price like Sony's W1000XM5 and Bose's S740III.
The Focal's first wireless headphones are a dream for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 headphones have an open-back design, which is comfortable to wear. The headphones feature a lively sound with a focus on bassy trebles and high-pitched bass. The Focal Px8 headphones come with an app companion to let you customize the sound to suit your preferences.
Focal's headphones are among the most expensive headphones available. This is due to their premium materials and premium design. The headphones also have the ability to charge quickly, which lets you enjoy two hours of audio within just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is an excellent choice if you don't mind sacrificing battery life for better audio quality and a more comfortable fitting.
Comfort
As opposed to earbuds and earphones, over-ear headphones rest on your ears, not around them. The ear pads will rest less on your earlobes, allowing you to listen to your music for a longer time. Ear cups also seal in the music, making it more immersive. This immersion also improves audio clarity since you can listen to every detail of the song without being distracted by background noise or your own voice.
On the other hand over-ear headphones aren't as compact as earbuds. The heavier construction and absence of folding mechanisms make them harder to carry around in backpacks or pockets. A case is also necessary to keep them safe when not in use. While many headphones come with a carry case, it can be cumbersome and may be a hinderance for those who want to listen to music while on the move.
This pair of wireless headphones is a great option for audiophiles looking for premium headphones that can be used when traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone provides excellent comfort, sound quality, and noise cancellation for a reasonable price. The earcups are constructed of premium materials, and the headband is extremely comfortable. The quality of the sound is superior to the previous model, offering more clarity and a deeper sound. With a companion application that includes an EQ and presets, you can alter the sound to suit your preferences.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are yet another top option. They offer a premium design and plenty of comfort. They are also available in a range of colours and feature premium leather, making them stylish enough to wear with a suit or an evening dress. The default sound profile is bass-heavy, resulting in more bass and thump that is perfect for EDM hip-hop, rap and other dance music genres. Vocals and instruments may sound veiled or buried in the mix, which you can correct with the Focal audio application's built-in graphic EQ.
While it's difficult to say which type of headphones are more comfortable, the overall experience depends on your personal preference. If you prefer the feel of over-ear headphones look for a model with thick padding and a moderate clamping force. This will prevent your earlobes feeling swollen even when ANC is on.