The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s are expensive however, they sound and look superior to other headphones. A carbon cone 40mm driver and Nappa leather enhance the design. Additionally, a DAC mode that supports hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship comes with Bose's world-class ANC, excellent control and a sleek, comfortable design. The battery life is its major selling point.
Sound Quality
Wireless over-ear headphones sound better because they surround your ears. They also have larger earcups that allow for larger drivers to produce huge soundstages and deep bass. Over-ear headphones are more expensive, with the most expensive models starting at about $250/PS250/AU$450. They are also typically equipped with active noise cancellation.
In the end, it's a matter of preference and what you're using headphones for. If you are looking to listen to music in a noisy space and are looking for comfort over audio quality, an affordable pair like the Jabra Move Wireless or JBL E50 are a good choice. The I-MEGO Throne Gold headphones offer great sound quality and 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.
There are also some great headphones that fall in the mid-tier price bracket. A range of brands offer headphones that sound fantastic at a reasonable cost. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a great example, with a powerful bass and bright treble for pop and rock as well as a clear mid-range that keeps instruments and vocals prominent. The new Sennheiser Momentum 4 is another good option. It's got improved ANC and an app companion that comes with the various presets for different styles of listening. If you're a lover of Bose's premium headphones check out the QC35 II for a similar experience with more passive noise cancellation and a more robust design.
Audiophiles are trained to listen to their ears and are able to hear the difference between headphones. Even casual listeners can discern the difference between wired and wireless headphones. Wireless technology has several pitfalls that could affect the quality of audio. Audio codecs, like can alter the bandwidth, sample rates and latency of wireless transmissions, resulting in distortion and loss of clarity.
These issues have been largely solved by the latest wireless headphones that utilize the most recent Bluetooth technology. They also support advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless headphones that we test have high-quality audio at affordable prices.
Noise Cancellation
Whether you want to block out the noise of your workplace or just relax on an airplane, wireless over-ear headphones are a great choice. These headphones are generally much more comfortable than earbuds, and many models come with active noise cancellation to make your music and calls clearer.
Active noise cancelling uses microphones to detect ambient sounds and then employ frequencies that block out unwanted noise to isolate you from your environment. The majority of over-ear headphones that have this feature also come with an inbuilt microphone to ensure your voice is heard when you make phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT wireless noise-canceling headsets come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, and the battery can last up to 60 hours. These over-ear headphones make an excellent choice for those who commute and are small enough to fit into bags or purses.
The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are an excellent choice for those who wish to get a premium audio experience. They offer outstanding audio quality and sophisticated sound cancellation. These French high-end audio manufacturer's first pair of wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream, featuring an open back design and luxurious materials such as aluminum detailing and leather. The headphones come with features, like an app companion to the headphones that comes with an equalizer graphic and presets to fine-tune your listening preferences. With their 40mm Beryllium coated drivers and acoustic Leather cups, they offer great isolation. They also support lossless audio, allowing them perform as high-end Hi-Fi headphones when wired.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly alternative the Monoprice B-600ANC is a light, comfortable pair of wireless over-ear headphones with a good sound quality and impressive noise cancellation for the price. These headphones have a wide selection of features including ANC and ambient awareness modes, touch controls and aptX and AAC support for high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT600ANC are also one of the only headphones that come with a programmable ambient awareness mode that lets you listen to the surrounding noise at a lower volume without turning off the music.
Battery Life
The worst thing you could happen is to run out of juice midway through a long commute or a exercise session. Wireless headphones eliminate the need for cords and provide an easier solution. However, their battery power diminishes over time, so you require a pair with exceptional longevity capabilities.
Certain models can keep running for days or even weeks on just one charge. However, this endurance isn't without its trade-offs. To get there, beats studio three wireless headphones need to reduce the battery size or cut back on other features. The most effective wireless headphones offer a great balance between battery capacity and performance.
Over-ear headphones have bigger batteries, but they also require more power to run features such as active noise cancellation. On-ear headphones, on the contrary have a smaller design, which allows them to be more lightweight. They don't block as much noise as their bulkier equivalents.
In terms of battery longevity, the Cleer Enduro ANC and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless have set a new standard for wireless headphones. The two headphones can be used for a full 60 hours when ANC enabled. They are able to easily outlast the top over-ear headsets with similar prices like Sony's W1000XM5 and Bose's S740 III.
The Focal's first wireless headphones are a dream for audiophiles. 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 that is focused on bassy trebles and a high-pitched bass. The Focal headphones Px8 also include a companion application that lets you customize the sound.
On the other hand, Focal's wireless headphones are also among the most expensive in the market. This is due to their premium materials and build. The headphones also have a fast-charge feature that allows you to get two hours of music in just 15 minutes of charging. The Focal Px8 is an excellent option if you're willing to losing battery life to gain better audio quality and a more comfortable fit.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, rest on the ears instead of being positioned around them. This means that the earpads do not press against your ears as much and reduces the amount of pressure on your earlobes and makes it easier to enjoy your listening longer. The ear cups also help to seal in your music, which can be more immersive and provide an immersive audio experience. This immersion also improves the clarity of your audio as you hear every nuance of music without being distracted by ambient 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 folding mechanism. They also need a case to keep them safe when they are not in use. While many headphones come with a carrying case, this can be cumbersome and may be a hindrance for those who prefer to listen to music while on the move.
This pair of wireless headphones is perfect for audiophiles looking for premium headphones that they can use when traveling. The Bose QC35 II is a premium headphone that gives you great comfort, sound quality and noise cancellation at a reasonable price. The earcups and the headband are made of premium materials and are extremely comfortable to wear. The audio quality is superior to its predecessor, featuring more clarity and a richer sound. You can also adjust the sound to your preference with a companion app that includes an EQ and presets.
Another premium option is the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones, that offer high-end design that is full of style and comfort. They're also available in variety of colors and are made from premium leather, which makes them fashionable enough to wear with suits or a nighttime dress. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy. This produces a more thumpy and punchy sound that is perfect for EDM and Hip-Hop as well as other dance music genres. Vocals and instruments can be buried or obscured in the mix. This is something you can correct by using the Focal audio application's built-in graphic EQ.
Although it's hard to determine which type of headphone is more comfortable the overall experience will depend on your personal preferences. If you prefer headphones for over-ear use with a thicker padding, choose one with moderate clamping force. This will prevent your earlobes feeling swollen even when ANC is on.