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 the 40mm carbon cone driver and Nappa Leather. A DAC mode is included to support hi-res audio.

This Bluetooth flagship is Bose's top-of-the-line ANC technology, excellent control and a sleek design. The battery life is the major selling feature.

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 price: over-ear headphones typically cost more and the most expensive models starting at around $250, PS250 or AU$450 and often featuring active noise cancellation.

It's all about your personal preferences and how you use your headphones. If you prefer comfort over quality and want to listen to music while in a noisy environment then a pair such as the Jabra E50 or rechargeable Headphones JBL Move Wireless are great choices. 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 can play hi-res music via USB-C.

There are also some fantastic headphones that are priced in the mid-tier range. A variety of brands make headphones that sound fantastic at a low cost. Poly's (formerly Plantronics') BackBeats pro 2 is a fantastic example. They feature a thumping bass and a bright treble, ideal for pop and rock music, but they also have a clear midrange that keeps the instruments and vocals at the forefront. The updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another excellent choice. It has improved ANC, and an app companion that comes with different listening styles and presets. If you like Bose's premium headphone, then the QC35 II offers a similar experience, but it has more durability and a passive design that blocks out noise.

Audiophiles have trained ears and know how to discern the difference between headphones. Even the casual listener can tell the difference between wireless and wired headphones. The wireless protocol has numerous drawbacks that can affect audio quality. For instance, audio codecs may alter the sample rate, bandwidth and latency of a wireless transmission which can cause distortion and loss of audio clarity.

Thankfully the issue is much better with modern wireless headphones that make use of the most up-to-date Bluetooth technology and also support advanced audio codecs such as Qualcomm AAC. This means that the majority of wireless headphones we test offer excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.

Noise Cancellation

Wireless headphones over-ear can be an excellent option to block out noise at your office or on an airplane. These headphones are generally more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also come with active noise cancellation which makes your music and sound more clear.

Active noise cancellation utilizes microphones to detect ambient noise and then utilize frequencies to counteract it, effectively separating you from the surrounding. The majority of over-ear headphones that support this feature include a microphone that is built-in to ensure that your voice can be clearly heard when you make phone calls. If you're looking for affordable noise-canceling headphones wireless look into the Audio-Technica M20xBT, which offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These headphones are an excellent choice for those who commute and are compact enough to fit into the bag or cheapest purse of a person.

The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a great option for those who want to invest in a premium audio experience. They offer outstanding audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. The first wireless headphones by an French premium audio company, the Focal Bathys are an audiophile's delight. They feature an open back design with luxurious materials such as leather and aluminum detailing. They boast a rich suite of features that include an app companion with a graphic EQ and presets that allow you to fine-tune your listening profile. They offer excellent isolation thanks to their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and the acoustic leather cups. Additionally, they can playback audio losslessly, allowing them to perform 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 that have high-quality sound and impressive noise cancellation for the price. The headphones come with a range of features like ambient-awareness and ANC modes as well as touch controls and support for aptX and Apple AAC for premium audio. The BT-600ANC are among the very few pairs of headphones to feature an adjustable ambient awareness mode that lets you listen to the surrounding noise at a lower level without switching off your music.

Battery Life

The last thing you want is to be running out on a long commute or during an exercise. Wireless headphones cut out the cord and are a much more practical option. But their battery capacity diminishes over time, so you'll require a pair that has impressive endurance capabilities.

Some models are able to remain running for days or weeks on one charge. This longevity comes with some compromises. To get there, manufacturers must reduce the size of the battery, or sacrifice other features. The best wireless headphones offer a good balance between battery life and performance.

Over-ear headphones usually come with larger batteries, however their bulky design means they also consume more power to run features like active noise cancelling. On-ear headphones, on the other hand, have a more compact design, which makes them more lightweight. However, they don't have the same noise-blocking capabilities as their more bulky counterparts.

In terms of battery life, the Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless have set a new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for upto 60 hours with ANC. They easily beat top over-ear headsets at a similar price such as Sony's W1000XM5 or Bose's S740 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 on the eyes. They have a vibrant sound with a focus on trebles that are bassy and thumping bass. The Focal Px8 headphones come with a companion app that lets you adjust the sound to suit your needs.

On the other the other hand, Focal's wireless headsets are also one of the most expensive on the market. This is due to their top-quality materials and design. The headphones also have a fast-charge feature that allows you to get two hours of audio within just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are a smart choice if you're willing sacrifice a longer battery life for superior sound quality and the comfort of a snug fit.

Comfort

As opposed to earbuds and earphones, over-ear headphones rest on ears instead of around them. The ear pads will not press as hard against your earlobes, allowing you to enjoy your listening sessions for longer. The ear cups also help to seal in your music which makes it more immersive and provide an immersive audio experience. This immersion also improves the clarity of your audio as you listen to every detail of the song without being distracted by other noise or the sound of your own voice.

On the other hand, most over-ear headphones don't have the same portability as earbuds. They are more difficult to put in backpacks or pockets due to their heavier design and lack of folding mechanism. They also require an enclosure to protect them when not in use. Most headphones come with a carry bag, but this isn't ideal for people who enjoy listening to music traveling.

This pair of wireless headphones is a great option for audiophiles that require premium headphones that can be used while travelling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone provides excellent comfort, sound quality, and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. The headband and earcups are made from premium materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The audio quality is a step up from its predecessor, featuring greater clarity and more enticing sound. You can also alter the sound to your preference through a companion application that includes an EQ and presets.

Focal Bathys wireless rechargeable headphones (why not try these out) are another premium option. They offer an elegant design and plenty of comfort. They're also available in a range of colours and feature premium leather, making them stylish enough to wear with a suit or a formal dress. The default sound profile is bass-heavy and produces more energy and thump that complements EDM hip-hop, EDM, and other genres of dance music. The Focal audio app has a built-in graphic equalizer that can help you adjust the sound of vocals and instruments.

While it's not easy to determine which kind of headphone is more comfortable, the overall experience depends 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 feeling swollen even when ANC is turned on.