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 by a 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 main selling point, though, is battery life.
Sound Quality
Wireless headphones with over-ears sound better because they surround your ears. They also come with larger, more powerful drivers that provide high-quality bass and a wide soundstage. However, this comes at a cost and over-ear headphones usually have higher price tags with the top models priced around $250 / PS250 / AU$450 and often featuring active noise cancellation.
It's ultimately a matter of personal preference 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 JBL Move Wireless are great options. The I-MEGO Throne Gold headphones provide excellent sound and battery life. Focal Bathys, on the other hand, are specifically designed to appeal to audiophiles, thanks to their DAC mode which supports hi-res via USB-C.
The mid-tier price range offers many great options, with a range of brands offering headphones that sound great for an affordable 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 a clear midrange to keep the instruments and vocals at the forefront. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another excellent choice, with improved ANC and a useful companion app with presets to suit different listening styles. If you like Bose's premium headphones, the QC35 II offers a similar experience, but with more robust and durable noise-isolating design.
Audiophiles are trained to recognize between headphones. Even casual listeners can discern the difference between wireless and wired headphones. The wireless protocol has many issues that could impact the quality of audio. Audio codecs, for instance can alter the bandwidth, sample rates and the latency of wireless transmissions leading to distortion and loss of detail.
Thankfully, these issues are now largely resolved with modern wireless headphones that use the latest Bluetooth technology and are compatible with advanced audio codecs such as Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless over-ear headphones we test offer top-quality audio quality for a reasonable price.
on-ear headphones wireless over-ear headphones can be the perfect option to block out noise at your office or on an plane. These big headphones are typically more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also come with active noise cancellation that makes your music and audio more clear.
Active noise cancellation utilizes microphones to detect noise in the surrounding area and utilize frequencies to counteract it, effectively isolating you from the surrounding. The majority of over-ear headphones that have this feature also include an inbuilt microphone to ensure your voice is heard when you make phone calls. If you are seeking a pair of affordable noise-canceling headphones wireless look into the Audio-Technica M20xBT, which comes with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and up to 60 hours of battery life. These over-ear headphones are a great choice for commuters and are small enough to fit into a bag or purse.
If you want to invest a little more in your audio experience, the Focal Bathys are an excellent pair of premium wireless over-ear headphones with exceptional audio quality and sophisticated noise cancellation. The first wireless headphones by a French premium audio brand The Focal Bathys are an audiophile's dream. They feature an open back design with luxurious materials like leather and aluminum detailing. They boast a rich suite of features, including a companion app with a graphic EQ as well as presets to fine-tune your listening profile. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic leather cups, they offer great isolation. They also have lossless audio support, allowing them perform as premium Hi-Fi headphones 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's impressive. These headphones are equipped with a variety of features, including ambient-awareness and ANC modes with touch controls as well as support for aptX and Apple AAC for premium audio. The BT-600ANC are also one of the only headphones that have an ambient awareness mode that can be programmed, which lets you listen to the background noise at a lower volume, without switching off the music.
Battery Life
The last thing you want is to get out of the way during your commute or during a workout. Wireless headphones cut out the cord and are a much more comfortable alternative. The battery power of wireless headphones can be depleted over time. It is important to select a pair that has an extended battery.
Certain models are able to remain running for days or weeks on one charge. However, this has its drawbacks. In order to achieve this, manufacturers have to reduce the size of their battery or cut back on other features. The best wireless headphones have a great balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones have larger batteries but also use more power to run features like active noise cancellation. On-ear headsets are more compact and lightweight. However, they do not have the same noise-blocking capabilities as their more bulky counterparts.
The Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set the new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for 60 hours with ANC. They easily beat top-of-the-line headphones with similar prices like Sony's W1000XM5 and Bose's S740 III.
The Focal's first wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. The Focal Px8 headphones feature an open-back design, which is comfortable to wear. The headphones feature a lively sound with a focus on bassy trebles and powerful bass. The Focal headphones Px8 include a companion application that lets you customize the sound.
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 an option for fast charging that gives you two hours of listening in just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is an excellent option if you're not worried about losing battery life to gain better audio quality and a more comfortable fit.
Comfort
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones rest on ears, not around them. This means the ear pads are less pressed against your ears, which reduces the amount of pressure on your earlobes. This makes it easier to enjoy your listening longer. The ear cups can also seal in the music which makes it more immersive. This experience is also more immersive and improves audio quality because you can hear 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. The bulkier construction and lack of folding mechanisms make them difficult to pack into backpacks or pocket. They also require an enclosure to protect them when not in use. Although most headphones come with a carry case, it isn't ideal and could be a hinderance for those who prefer to listen to music while on the move.
This pair of wireless headphones is the ideal option for audiophiles looking for high-quality headphones that can be worn while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone offers excellent comfort as well as sound quality and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. The earcups are made from premium materials and the headband is extremely comfortable. The quality of the sound is a step up from its predecessor, featuring greater clarity and more enticing sound. With a companion application which includes an EQ and presets, you can alter the sound according to your preferences.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are another premium alternative. They come with high-end 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 is bass heavy and produces more bass and thump that is perfect for EDM hip-hop, rap and other dance music genres. The Focal audio app comes with an inbuilt graphic equalizer that helps you adjust the sound of instruments and vocals.
Although it's hard to determine which type of headphone is more comfortable the overall experience is contingent on your personal preference. If you prefer the feel of headphones with over-ears look for a model with thick padding and medium clamping force. This will stop your earlobes and ear canals from getting painful after long listening sessions even with ANC turned on.