The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

The PX8s may be expensive however their design and sound are superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver and Nappa leather elevate the style. Additionally, a DAC mode can play hi-res audio.

This Bluetooth flagship offers Bose's industry-leading ANC, excellent control and a sleek and comfortable design. The main selling point, though, is battery life.

Sound Quality

Wireless over-ear headphones sound better because they surround your ears. They also have larger, more powerful drivers that can deliver deep bass and wide soundstages. But this comes at a cost: over-ear headphones typically have higher price tags, with flagship models starting at about $250 / PS250 / AUS$450, and often with active noise cancellation.

It's all a matter of preference and what you're using headphones for. If you're looking to listen to music in a noisy setting and prefer comfort over audio quality, an affordable pair such as the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good option. If you want to spend a little more, the IMG Throne Gold have a stunning sound quality and battery life while the Focal Bathys are specifically designed for serious audiophiles with their DAC mode that supports hi-res audio over USB-C.

There are some excellent headphones that are priced in the mid-tier category. A variety of brands make headphones that are great sounding at a reasonable price. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is a fantastic example. They feature a thumping bass and bright treble that are perfect for rock and pop music, but they also have an uncluttered midrange that keeps instruments and vocals in the forefront. The newly updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another good option. It has improved ANC, and an app companion to it that has different listening styles and presets. If you're a big fan of Bose's premium headphones, try the QC35 II for a similar experience with more passive noise cancellation and a more durable design.

Audiophiles have trained ears and are able to discern the difference between headphones. But even casual listeners will notice the differences in sound quality between wireless and wired headphones, as buy wireless headphones technology has a number of pitfalls that can affect audio quality. Audio codecs, for instance, can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and latency of wireless transmissions, resulting in distortion and loss of clarity.

These issues have been largely solved by wireless headphones that utilize the most recent Bluetooth technology. They also have advanced audio codecs such as Qualcomm AAC. As a result, most wireless headphones that we review offer top audio quality for the price.

Noise Cancellation

Whether you want to block out the noise of your office surroundings or get some shut-eye on an airplane, wireless over-ear headphones are a great choice. These big headphones are typically more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also come with active noise cancellation, which helps to make your music and audio more clear.

Active noise cancellation employs microphones to discern the ambient sound and use frequencies that counteract the unwanted noise to block out your surroundings. Most over-ear headphones that support this feature also come with an inbuilt microphone to ensure your voice is clearly heard during phone calls. If you are seeking a pair of 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 over-ear headphones are an excellent choice for commuters, and they are compact enough to fit easily into your purse or bag.

If you want to invest a bit more in your audio experience then the Focal Bathys are an excellent pair of high-end wireless over-ear headphones with outstanding audio quality and sophisticated noise cancellation. The first wireless headphones from an French premium audio company The Focal Bathys are an audiophile's delight. They feature an open back design and luxurious materials, such as leather and aluminum details. They boast a rich suite of features, including an app that can be used as a companion to the headphones, with graphic EQ and wirelss headphones presets to customize your listening experience. They provide excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers as well as the acoustic leather cups. Additionally, they can playback audio losslessly which allows them to function as high-end hi-fi headphones when wired.

Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless headphones are a great choice for those on a budget. They're light and comfortable, with excellent sound quality and noise cancellation that is impressive. These headphones are equipped with a variety of features like ambient-awareness and ANC modes with touch controls as well as support for aptX and Apple AAC for high-quality audio. The BT-600ANC is also among only a handful of headphones that feature an adjustable mode for ambience awareness. This lets you listen to the ambient sound at a reduced volume without having to shut off the music.

Battery Life

The most important thing you don't want to do 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 practical option. But their battery power drains with time, so you'll require a pair that has impressive longevity capabilities.

Some models are able to keep running for days or even weeks on a single charge. However, this endurance comes with a price. In order to achieve this, manufacturers must to reduce the size of their batteries or reduce other features. The best wireless headphones offer a good balance between battery life and performance.

Over-ear headphones have larger batteries but also use more power to run features such as active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets, on the contrary are more compact in design that makes them more portable. They don't block as much noise as their bulkier equivalents.

The Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set the new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play for up to 60 hours with ANC enabled. They can easily outlast top over-ear headsets in a similar price range such as Sony's W1000XM5 or Bose's S740III.

Similar to the Focal Px8's first wireless headphones are a true audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 headphones sport an open-back design, which is comfortable to wear. They offer a lively sound with a focus on the thumpy bass and the bright trebles. The Focal Px8 headphones also come with an app companion that lets you alter the sound to suit your needs.

On the other side, Focal's wireless wirelss headphones are also one of the most expensive on the market. This is due to their top-quality materials and design. The headphones also feature the ability to charge quickly, which lets you enjoy two hours of music in just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are a smart option if you're willing make the sacrifice of longer battery life for superior sound quality and the comfort of a snug fit.

Comfort

In contrast to earbuds, the over-ear headphones rest on ears, not around them. The ear pads will press less against your earlobes, allowing you to enjoy your listening sessions for longer. Ear cups also help to seal in the music and make it more engrossing. This enhanced experience also improves the quality of your audio because you can feel the subtleties of a song, without being distracted by background noise or your personal voice.

Over-ear headphones are, however, not as portable as earbuds. The larger size and absence of folding mechanisms make them difficult to fit in a backpack or in pockets. A case is also required to protect them when not in use. The majority of headphones come with a carry bag, but it isn't ideal for people who prefer to listen to music on the move.

This pair of wireless headphones is the ideal option for audiophiles that require premium headphones that can be used when traveling. The Bose QC35 II is a premium headphone that offers great comfort, audio quality, and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. The earcups and the headband are made from premium materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The sound quality is an improvement over the previous model, offering greater clarity and more enticing sound. You can also alter the sound to your preferences with a companion app that includes an EQ and presets.

Focal Bathys wireless headphones are another premium option. They offer an elegant design and plenty of comfort. These headphones are available in a variety of colors and feature premium leather. They are stylish enough to pair with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile is bass-heavy which results in more bass and thump that is perfect for EDM, hip-hop and other genres of dance music. Instruments and vocals can sound veiled or buried in the mix, and you can fix using the Focal audio app's built-in graphic EQ.

It's difficult to determine which headphone type is more comfortable. The overall experience depends on the individual's preference. If you prefer headphones for over-ear use with a thicker padding, pick one with a moderate clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from feeling sore after long listening sessions even with ANC enabled.