The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s are expensive however, they look and sound superior to other headphones. The design is enhanced by the 40mm carbon cone driver as well as Nappa Leather. And a DAC mode supports hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose's world-class ANC with excellent control and sleek, comfortable design. The battery life is the biggest selling factor.
Sound Quality
In general, wireless headphones generally sound better than earbuds due to the fact that they completely cover your ears. They also have earcups that are larger which allow powerful drivers to deliver huge soundstages and deep bass. However, this comes at a price and over-ear headphones usually cost more with the top models priced at around $250, PS250 or AUS$450, and often with active noise cancellation.
Ultimately, it's an issue of personal preference and what you're using headphones for. If you want to listen to music in a noisy setting and prefer comfort over audio quality, a budget pair like the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good option. If you want to spend more, the I-MEGO Throne Gold offer impressive sound and battery life, while the Focal Bathys are made for serious audiophiles thanks to their DAC mode that can play hi-res audio via USB-C.
The mid-tier price range offers plenty of options and there are a variety of brands that offer headphones that sound great for an affordable price. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a great example, featuring a thumping bass and bright treble that is perfect for pop and rock, but also a clear mid-range that keeps instruments and vocals prominent. The recently updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another solid option, with improved ANC and a handy companion app with presets to suit different styles of listening. If you're a fan of Bose's premium headphones, try the QC35 II for a similar experience, with more passive noise isolation and a more durable design.
Audiophiles are trained to recognize 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. Audio codecs, for example, can alter the bandwidth, sample rates and the latency of wireless transmissions resulting in distortion and loss of detail.
These issues have been solved by the latest wireless headphones, which utilize the latest Bluetooth technology. They also have advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm AAC. In the end, the majority of wireless headphones that we review provide excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless headphones over-ear can be the perfect option to block out noise at your office or on an plane. These headphones are generally more comfortable than earbuds and a lot of models provide active noise cancellation that makes your music and calls more clear.
Active noise cancellation uses microphones to detect ambient sound and then use frequencies that counteract the unwanted noise to isolate you from your environment. Over-ear headphones that support this feature also have a built-in microphone, which ensures that your voice is clearly heard when you make phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT noise-canceling wireless headsets feature Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and the battery can last up to 60 hours. These headphones with over-ears are a great option for those who commute, and they are small enough to fit comfortably in your purse or bag.
If you want to invest a bit more into your audio experience then the Focal Bathys are a great pair of premium wireless headphones that offer exceptional audio quality and sophisticated noise cancellation. These French premium audio brand's first pair of wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream, featuring an open back design and luxurious materials like leather and aluminum details. They come with a wide array of features with an app that can be used as a companion to the headphones, with graphic EQ and presets that allow you to fine-tune your listening profile. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic Leather cups, they deliver exceptional isolation. They also support lossless audio that allows them to function as high-end Hi-Fi speakers when wired.
Monoprice BT-600ANC wireless headphones are a great option for those on a budget. They're light and comfortable, with excellent sound quality and noise cancellation that is impressive. The headphones come with a broad range of features, like ANC and ambient awareness modes, touch controls as well as aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT600ANC are also one of the only headphones that come with an ambient awareness mode that can be programmed that lets you listen to the surrounding noise at a lower level without turning off your music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to be running out during your commute or during a workout. Wireless headphones eliminate the cord and offer a more practical alternative. But their battery capacity diminishes with time, so you'll require a pair that has impressive longevity capabilities.
Some models can run for days or even weeks with just a single charge. This endurance comes with compromises. To achieve this, manufacturers need to reduce the size of the battery or sacrifice other features. The most effective wireless headphones offer a great balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones have larger batteries, but they also require more power to run features such as active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets are smaller and portable. However, they don't have the same noise-blocking features as their larger counterparts.
The Cleer Enduro ANC and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set a new standard in wireless headphones. Both over-ear headphones can play for up to 60 hours when ANC enabled. They can easily outlast top-of-the-line headphones in a similar price range like Sony's W1000XM5 or Bose's S740 III.
Focal's first wireless headphones are a dream for audiophiles. The Focal Px8 headphones sport an open-back design that is comfortable to wear. They have a vibrant sound with a focus on bassy trebles and a thumping bass. The Focal headphones Px8 include a companion app that allows you to customize the sound.
On the other the other hand, Focal's wireless headsets are also among the most expensive in the market. This is due to their premium materials and build. They also have the fast-charge port which will give you up to two hours of listening time after only 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 headphones are an excellent choice if you're willing make the sacrifice of longer battery life for excellent sound quality and a comfortable fit.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds rest on your ears instead of securing them. The ear pads are less pressed against your ears and reduces pressure on your earlobes. This makes it easier to enjoy your listening longer. Ear cups also seal in the music and make it more engrossing. This experience is also more immersive and enhances the audio quality since you can feel the subtleties of a song without being distracted by background noise or your own voice.
On the other hand, many over-ear headphones don't have the same portability as earbuds. They are more difficult to keep in backpacks or pockets due to their heavier design and lack of a folding mechanism. They also require a case to keep them safe when not in use. While many headphones come with a carry case, it can be a burden and be a hindrance for those who want to listen to music on the go.
This pair of wireless headsets is ideal for audiophiles looking for premium headphones that they can use while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone offers excellent comfort, sound quality, and noise cancellation at a low cost. The earcups are made from premium materials, and the headband is extremely comfortable. The sound quality is a step up from its predecessor, with more clarity and a deeper sound. You can also adjust the sound to your preferences with a companion app that features an EQ and presets.
Another premium option is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones which offer a high-end design that is full of design and comfort. They're also available in a variety of colors and are made from premium leather, which makes them elegant enough to be worn with a suit or an evening dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy. This results in an edgy and sluggish sound that complements EDM, Hip-Hop and other genres of dance music. beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones has an inbuilt graphic equalizer that can help you adjust the sound of vocals and instruments.
While it's difficult to say which type of headphone is more comfortable the overall experience will depend on your personal preference. If you prefer headphones for over-ear use with a more comfortable padding, choose one with a moderate clamping force. This will prevent your earlobes feeling sore even when ANC is turned on.