10 Startups That Will Change The Over Ear Headphones Wireless Best Industry For The Better

10 Startups That Will Change The Over Ear Headphones Wireless Best Industry For The Better

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also have larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a wider soundstage. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been upgraded with improved audio and features, including various ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are more lightweight, better constructed and feature an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass heavy). They also have an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than other models.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio however, you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between them when needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to a tap on the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a phone call or to listen to music. Sony has added a feature to make voices clearer and more precise during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they are some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used passively using the TRS cable. This is perfect for travel or preserving energy.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also come with a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. But the B&Ws have more robust design and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset that has become a standard for commuters as well as passengers around the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which made its predecessor so successful, while adding the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made of plastic, yet it is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be paired with a coat or sweater because they function even when they are not on the head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price point. The frequencies are flat and lack the detail that more expensive headphones may be able bring out.  black beats wireless headphones  tend to be amplified and is suitable for most music genres but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent, but lacks power.

The possibility of pauseing the playback after removing the headset is a feature that is absent. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for many years. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's audio and voice settings.

The QC45s also include four built-in microphones that pick up your voice during calls. The call quality is generally good however, the headphones don't come with the handy capability to turn off your voice during playback, which is something that other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 included manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that lets listeners know they're listening to something special. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that block noise, the Bathys are stunning headphones that sound and look amazing. They also come with a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery performance with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more from them and got over 40 hours on average out of a single charge. If you need to charge your headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

They come with a wide range of features for a pair of headphones of this price with support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll have to manually select your source device every time you would like to listen). The headphones have built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to manage your music and make calls.

For over-ear wireless headphones The Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the ambient sound by about 9 decibels in average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals look a bit veiled.

You can wear them anywhere without fearing that other people will listen to your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid to treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The new model is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

The improvements are subtle but can make for a pair of over ear headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s lie flat and aren't foldable however they come with a nice hardshell case that protects them on the go. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. They are compatible with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most significant change is the huge battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than what the majority of the competitors offer and enough for a trip of a lifetime without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and the treble, which means that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have heavy bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound bubbly, but not full. There's no real depth to the lows.


The Momentum 4s should not put pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be a bit fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them suddenly wake up, which can be distracting during calls or music. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be manually switched off by pressing the power button.