The PX8 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review
The PX8s are costly however they sound and look way above other headphones. The design is enhanced by the 40mm carbon cone driver as well as Nappa leather. And a DAC mode can play hi-res audio.
This Bluetooth flagship is Bose's top-of-the-line ANC technology, superior control, and a sleek design. The most attractive feature however, is the battery life.
Sound Quality
In general, wireless headphones are more effective than earbuds due to the fact that they completely cover your ears. They also have larger, more powerful drivers that deliver large soundstages and deep bass. But this comes at a cost that is why over-ear headphones generally are more expensive and the most expensive models starting at around $250, PS250 or $450 and often with active noise cancellation.
It's a matter of personal preference and how you use your headphones. If you prefer comfort over audio quality and want to listen to music in a noisy setting then a pair such as the Jabra E50 or JBL Move Wireless are excellent choices. If you're looking to spend a little more, the IMG Throne Gold headphones are awe-inspiring in sound quality and battery life while the Focal Bathys are specifically designed for serious audiophiles, with their DAC mode that supports hi-res audio over USB-C.
There are also some fantastic headphones that fall in the mid-tier price bracket. on-ear headphones wireless of brands provide headphones that sound fantastic at a reasonable cost. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeats Pro 2 are a good example, with a powerful bass and a bright treble for pop and rock, but also a clear mid-range that keeps instruments and vocals prominent. The recently updated Sennheiser Momentum 4 are another good choice, with a better ANC and a useful companion app with presets for different styles of listening. 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 are trained to recognize between headphones. However, even casual listeners can be able to discern the difference in the quality of sound between wired and wireless headphones, as the wireless protocol has numerous issues that can affect audio quality. For instance, audio codecs can alter the sample rate, bandwidth and latency of a wireless transmission and can result in distortion and loss of audio detail.
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 like Qualcomm AAC. The majority of wireless headphones that we test have excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.
Noise Cancellation
Wireless headphones over-ear can be a great option for blocking out noise at your office or on an plane. These big headphones are typically more comfortable than earbuds. Many models also offer active noise cancellation that makes your music and audio clearer.
Active noise cancellation employs microphones to discern ambient sound and then use frequencies to block out the unwanted noise, to effectively isolate you from your environment. Over-ear headphones that have this feature come with a microphone that is built-in to ensure that your voice can be heard clearly when you make phone calls. Audio-Technica's M20xBT wireless noise cancelling headsets offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, and the battery can last up to 60 hours. These headphones with over-ears are a great choice for those who commute, and they are compact enough to easily fit in your 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 headphones that boast excellent audio quality and advanced noise cancellation. These French high-end audio manufacturer's first pair of wireless headphones is an audiophile's dream, featuring an open back design and luxurious materials like leather and aluminum details. The headphones come with features, such as an app companion that comes with an equalizer with a graphic design and presets for fine-tuning your listening profile. They deliver excellent isolation with their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers as well as Acoustic leather cups. Furthermore, they can playback audio losslessly which allows them to function as hi-fi-quality headphones that are wired.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly alternative, the Monoprice BT-600ANC is a comfortable, lightweight pair of wireless over-ear headphones that offer good sound quality and impressive noise cancellation for the price. The headphones come with a broad selection of features such as ambient awareness and ANC modes, touch controls, and AAC and aptX support to provide high-quality audio on Android and iOS. The BT-600ANC is also among only a handful of headphones that have an adjustable ambience awareness mode. This lets you listen to ambient noise at a lower volume without having to turn 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 remove the need for cords and provide the most convenient solution. The battery power of wireless headphones will drain over time. It is important to select headphones with an extended battery.
Some models are able to remain running for days or weeks on a single charge. This endurance comes with compromises. In order to get there, manufacturers need to reduce the size of their battery or cut down on 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 headphones are smaller and lightweight. However, they do not have the same noise-blocking capabilities as their more bulky counterparts.
The Cleer Enduro ANC and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless set the new standard for wireless headphones. Both headphones can play music for upto 60 hours with ANC. They easily beat top headphones with over-ears in a similar price range such as Sony's W1000XM5 or Bose's S740 III.
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. The headphones have a dynamic sound, with a focus on bassy trebles and a thumping bass. The Focal headphones Px8 also include a companion app which lets you personalize the sound.
On the other side, Focal's wireless headphones are also among the most expensive in the market. This is due in part to their premium materials and construction. They also have a fast-charge port that can get you two hours of listening time after just 15 minutes of charge. The Focal Px8 headphones are a great choice if you're willing to make the sacrifice of longer battery life in exchange for a high-quality sound and a comfortable fit.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds rest on your ears instead of securing them. This means that the earpads are less pressed against your ears, which reduces pressure on your earlobes and helps you enjoy listening sessions longer. The ear cups can also help to seal in the music which makes it more immersive. This also increases audio clarity since you can hear every nuance of a song without being distracted by ambient noise or your own voice.
Most over-ear headphones are, however, not as lightweight as earbuds. They are more difficult to store in a pocket or backpack because of their larger size and lack of folding mechanism. They also need a case to protect them when not in use. The majority of headphones come with a carry bag, but it can be a hassle for those who like to listen to music while on the move.
This pair of wireless headphones is the best option for audiophiles looking for top-quality headphones that can be used while traveling. The Bose QC35 II premium headphone offers excellent comfort as well as sound quality and noise cancellation at a low cost. The earcups are constructed of premium materials, and the headband is extremely comfortable. The sound quality is superior to the previous model, offering more clarity and a richer sound. With a companion application that includes an EQ and presets, you can adjust the sound to suit your preferences.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are yet another top alternative. They offer a premium 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 suits or a nighttime dress. The default sound profile is a bass-heavy, resulting in more thump and punch that compliments EDM hip-hop, EDM, and other genres of dance music. Instruments and vocals can sound veiled or buried in the mix. This is something you can rectify by using the Focal audio application's built-in graphic EQ.
It's difficult to decide which kind of headphone is more comfortable. The overall experience is contingent on your personal preferences. If you prefer headphones that are over-ear with a more comfortable padding, choose the one with a medium clamping force. This will stop your earlobes from feeling sore even when ANC is turned on.