The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

The PX8s might be costly but their design and sound are superior to other headphones. The design is enhanced with the 40mm carbon cone driver as well as Nappa Leather. A DAC mode is included to provide high-res audio.

This Bluetooth flagship offers Bose's industry-leading ANC, excellent control and an elegant, comfortable design. The main selling point however, is the battery life.

Sound Quality

Wireless over-ear headphones sound better because they surround your ears. They also come with larger, more powerful drivers that can deliver large soundstages and deep bass. However, this comes at a cost that is why over-ear headphones generally have higher price tags with the top models priced at around $250, PS250 or $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 are looking to listen to music in a noisy setting and value comfort over audio quality, a budget pair such as 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 specifically designed to appeal to audiophiles, thanks to their DAC mode, which can play hi-res music over USB-C.

The mid-tier price range offers some great options too and includes a variety of brands offering headphones that are great sounding for reasonable prices. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a great example, featuring a thumping bass and bright treble for rock and pop as well as a clear mid-range that keeps vocals and instruments prominent. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another solid option, with improved ANC and a great companion app that has presets for different listening styles. If you are a fan of Bose's premium headphone, then the QC35 II offers a similar experience, but it has more robust and durable design that blocks out noise.

Audiophiles have trained ears and know how to discern the difference between a pair of headphones. But even casual listeners will be able to discern the difference in the quality of sound between wired and wireless headphones, as wireless technology has numerous issues that can affect audio quality. Audio codecs, for instance, can alter the frequency, sample rates and latency of wireless transmissions, which can cause distortion and loss of clarity.

These issues have been largely solved by the latest wireless headphones, which use the latest Bluetooth technology. They also support advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm AAC. In the end, the majority of wireless headphones we test offer excellent audio quality for the price.

Noise Cancellation

Wireless over-ear headphones are the perfect option to block out the noise in your workplace or on an plane. These big headphones are usually more comfortable than earbuds, and a lot of models provide active noise cancellation, which makes your audio and music calls clearer.

Active noise cancellation employs microphones to discern the ambient sound and use frequencies that counteract the unwanted noise, to effectively isolate you from your environment. The majority of over-ear headphones that have this feature also include an inbuilt microphone to ensure your voice is clearly heard during phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT noise-canceling Wireless Bluethooth Headphone headsets come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and a battery life of up to 60 hours. These headphones over-ear are an excellent choice for those who commute, and are compact enough to easily fit into your purse or bag.

The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are an excellent choice for those who want to invest in a high-end audio experience. They have outstanding audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. The first wireless headphones made by a French premium audio company, the Focal Bathys are an audiophile's dream. They feature an open back design with luxurious materials, such as leather and aluminum detailing. The headphones come with features, including an app companion that comes with an equalizer graphic and presets for fine-tuning your listening experience. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic Leather cups, they provide great isolation. They also support lossless audio which allows them to function as high-end Hi-Fi speakers when wired.

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

Battery Life

The last thing you want is to get out of the way on a long commute or during your workout. Wireless headphones cut out the cord and wireless Bluethooth headphone are a much more comfortable option. But their battery capacity diminishes over time, so you need a pair with impressive endurance capabilities.

Certain models can remain running for days or weeks on just one charge. This longevity comes with some compromises. To achieve this, manufacturers must to reduce the size of their battery or reduce other features. The most effective wireless headphones offer a great balance between battery capacity and performance.

Over-ear headphones usually have larger batteries, but the bulky design means they consume more power for wireless Bluethooth headphone features such as active noise cancelling. On-ear headphones are smaller and portable. However, they don't have the same noise-blocking capabilities of their more bulky counterparts.

The Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 wireless headphones bluetooth headphones set the new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for up to 60 hours with ANC. They will easily beat other top headphones in similar prices like Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's 740 III.

Similarly, Focal's debut wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 headphones have an open-back design that's comfortable to wear and easy to look at. They offer a lively sound with a focus on the thumpy bass and the bright trebles. The Focal Px8 headphones also come with a companion app that lets you adjust the sound to suit your preferences.

Focal's headphones are among the most expensive headphones available. This is partly due to their high-end materials and a premium build. They also come with the fast-charge port which can get you two hours of listening time in only 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are an excellent choice if you're willing sacrifice a longer battery life in exchange for excellent sound quality and the comfort of a snug fit.

Comfort

In contrast to earbuds, the over-ear headphones rest on the ears, not around them. The ear pads will not press as hard against your earlobes, which allows you to listen to your music for a longer time. Ear cups also seal in the music which makes it more immersive. This experience is also more immersive and improves the quality of your audio because you can appreciate the subtleties of a song, without being distracted by background noise or your own voice.

On the other hand, most over-ear headphones don't have the same portability as earbuds. They are more difficult to store in a pocket or backpack 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 carrying bag, but this can be cumbersome for those who enjoy listening to music while moving around.

This pair of wireless headphones is perfect for audiophiles searching for high-quality headphones they can use while traveling. The Bose QC35 II is a premium headphone that provides great comfort, sound quality and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. The earcups are made from premium materials, and the headband is extremely comfortable. The audio quality has improved from the previous model, offering a more clear and vibrant sound. You can also adjust the sound to your preference with a companion app which includes an EQ and presets.

Focal Bathys wireless headphones are another premium option. They come with a premium design and plenty of comfort. They're also available in a variety of colors and come with premium leather, which makes them elegant enough to be worn with suits or a nighttime dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is bass-heavy. This produces an edgy and sluggish sound that is perfect for EDM and Hip-Hop as well as other genres of dance music. The Focal audio app has an inbuilt graphic equalizer that helps you improve the sound of vocals and instruments.

While it's not easy to determine which kind of headphone is more comfortable the overall experience will depend on your personal preference. If you prefer the feel of over-ear headphones look for a model with large padding and moderate clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from becoming painful after long listening sessions, even with ANC enabled.