The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s might be costly, but their design and sound are superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver as well as Nappa leather enhance the style. A DAC mode is also included to support hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose's industry-leading ANC technology, outstanding control and a sleek design. The battery life is its biggest selling point.
Sound Quality
Wireless over-ear headphones are more immersive because they surround your ears. They also come with larger, more powerful drivers that deliver high-quality bass and a wide soundstage. Over-ear headphones are more expensive, with the most expensive models starting at around $250/PS250/AU$450. They also often feature active noise cancellation.
In the end, it's the choice of your personal taste and what you use headphones for - if you want to listen to music in a noisy setting and prefer comfort over quality of sound, a low-cost pair like the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good choice. If you're looking to spend a little more, the I-MEGO Throne Gold offer impressive sound and battery life, while the Focal Bathys are made for serious audiophiles with their DAC mode that supports hi-res audio via USB-C.
The mid-tier price bracket has some great options too, with a range of brands offering headphones that sound great at a reasonable price. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is an excellent example. They have a thumping bass and bright treble that are perfect for rock and pop music however, they also feature an uncluttered midrange that keeps the instruments and vocals at the forefront. 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 big fan of Bose's premium headphones check out the QC35 II for a similar experience, with more passive noise isolation and a more robust design.
Audiophiles are trained to differentiate between headphones. Even the casual listener can tell the difference between wired and wireless headphones. Wireless technology has many issues that could impact audio quality. For instance, audio codecs may change the sample rate, bandwidth and latency of a wireless transmission which can cause distortion and loss of audio clarity.
These issues have been resolved by modern wireless headphones that utilize the latest Bluetooth technology. They also have advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm AAC. Most wireless over-ear headsets that we test provide excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless headphones over-ear can be a great option for blocking out noise at your office or on an plane. These big headphones are usually more comfortable than earbuds and many models offer active noise cancellation to make your audio and music calls clearer.
Active noise cancellation employs microphones to discern the ambient sound and use frequencies to block out the unwanted noise to isolate you from your environment. Over-ear headphones that have this feature have an integrated microphone to ensure that your voice is clearly heard during phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT wireless noise-canceling headsets offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, and a battery life of up to 60 hours. These over-ear headphones make the perfect choice for commuters and are small enough to fit in a bag or purse.
The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a great choice for those who wish to invest in a premium audio experience. They feature outstanding audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. The first wireless headphones by an French premium audio company The Focal Bathys are a delight for audiophiles. They have an open-back design that is adorned with luxurious materials like leather and aluminum accents. The headphones are loaded with features, like a companion app that includes a graphic equalizer and presets for fine-tuning your listening preferences. They offer excellent isolation thanks to their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers as well as acoustic leather cups, and they support lossless audio playback that allows them to function as high-end hi-fi headphones when wired.
For a more budget-friendly option Monoprice BT-600ANC is a lightweight, comfortable pair of wireless headphones with a high-quality sound and impressive noise cancellation for the price. The headphones offer a wide range of features, such as ANC and ambient awareness modes, touch controls and aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT600ANC are among the very few headphones that come with an ambient awareness mode that can be programmed which allows you to listen to the sounds around you at a lower volume, without turning off the music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to run out on your long commute or during an exercise. Wireless headphones cut out the cord and are a much more convenient option. However, their battery power diminishes with time, so you require a pair that has impressive longevity capabilities.
Certain models can keep running for days or even weeks on one charge. However, this longevity comes with a price. To get there, manufacturers must reduce the size of the battery, or sacrifice other features. The best wireless headphones have an excellent balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones have larger batteries, but they also require more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets are more compact and lightweight. They don't block as much sound as their larger counterparts.
In terms of battery life, the Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless have set a new standard in wireless headphones. Both over-ear headphones can play for a full 60 hours with ANC enabled. They can easily outlast other top headphones in similar prices 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 headphones have an open-back design, which is comfortable to wear. They offer a lively sound profile with an emphasis on thumping bass and bright trebles. The Focal Px8 headphones also feature a companion app that lets you adjust the sound to your liking.
Focal's headphones are among the most expensive available. This is due to their top-quality materials and design. They also come with the fast-charge port which can give you two hours of listening time after just 15 minutes of charge. The Focal Px8 is a great option if you're not worried about the loss of battery life in exchange for better audio quality and a more comfortable fitting.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds rest on your ears instead of being positioned around them. The ear pads not press as hard against your earlobes, allowing you to listen to your music for longer. Ear cups also help to seal in your music and make it more immersive and provide an incredible audio experience. This also increases audio clarity because you can be able to hear every detail of music without being distracted by other noise or the sound of your own voice.
On the other hand over-ear headphones aren't as portable as earbuds. over-ear wireless headphones are more difficult to store in a backpack or pocket due to their bulkier design and lack of folding mechanism. A case is also necessary to keep them safe when not in use. The majority of headphones come with a carrying bag, but this can be a hassle for those who prefer to listen to music moving around.
This pair of wireless headphones is the best option for audiophiles looking for high-quality headphones that can be used while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone provides excellent comfort as well as high-quality sound and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. The earcups are made of premium materials, and the headband is extremely comfortable. The sound quality has improved from the previous model, offering a more clear and vibrant sound. You can also adjust the sound to suit your preferences through a companion application which includes an EQ and presets.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a different premium alternative. They feature a premium design and plenty of comfort. They're also available in variety of colors and come with premium leather, which makes them elegant enough to be worn with suits or a nighttime dress. These headphones' default sound profile is bass heavy which results in more thump and punch that compliments EDM hip-hop, EDM, and other dance music genres. Vocals and instruments can be lost or hidden in the mix. This is something you can correct by using the Focal audio app's built-in graphic EQ.
It's difficult to determine which kind of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience is contingent on your personal preferences. If you prefer the feel of over-ear headphones consider a model that has thick padding and a moderate clamping force. This will prevent your earlobes becoming sore even when ANC is on.