There was a time when wireless, noise canceling headphones were looked down on by audiophiles. Surely, the compression of bluetooth or adverse effects of noise canceling would reduce the quality of music reproduction too much. But as time has gone on, new and better Bluetooth codecs have debuted, and manufacturers have leaned into producing better quality wireless, noise canceling headphones. Now, there’s even a high end bracket to the wireless, noise canceling headphone market. Today we’ll be covering some of these headphones. So, without further adieu, let’s jump right in.
Focal Bathys
Currently priced at $699, the Bathys is one of the more affordable headphones on this list. The look and feel of the headphone is in line with the high quality we’ve come to expect from Focal. The grill pattern is reminiscent of the brand’s other high end models, keeping the premium feel front and center. Using aluminum/magnesium M-shaped dome speaker drivers, as well as a built-in DAC, the Bathys is capable of superb sound quality when used both wired and wirelessly. Its companion app offers EQ and personalization adjustments so you can tailor the sound and performance to your needs.
The Bathys supports Bluetooth 5.1 and is compatible with codecs like SBC, AAC, Apt-X™ and Apt-X™ Adaptive. Its battery lasts up to 30 hours with noise-canceling and fast charges up to 5 hours of playback in just 15 minutes. The headphone delivers a great soundstage with a sound signature that features a deep bass response, a warm sounding midrange, and detailed highs.
Overall, the Focal Bathys is a great wireless headphone that offers a taste of Focal’s high end acumen at a great value.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8
Also priced at $699, the B&W PX8 is the successor to the Hi-Fi brand’s popular PX7 S2. The PX8 carries on B&W’s tradition of modern looking and comfortable headphone design. With cast aluminum arms and Nappa leather ear pads, the PX8 shares its design language with other B&W offerings. The headphone features 40mm dynamic drivers with angled carbon cones and boasts a 4-microphone array for better noise cancellation and clearer call quality. The PX8 runs the slightly more current Bluetooth 5.2 and also supports codecs like aptX and aptX Adaptive. Its companion app offers limited EQ adjustments and ANC settings, and its battery lasts up to 30 hours with a 15-minute quick charge bringing 7 hours of playback to the table.
The PX8 delivers immersive sound with a wide soundstage, solid bass, clear highs, and transparent vocals. While priced higher than its predecessor, the PX8 offers improved design and sound performance, making it a compelling choice for audiophiles seeking premium wireless headphones.
Mark Levinson No. 5909
The No. 5909 is Mark Levinson’s first headphone. Known primarily for their premium home audio systems, Mark Levinson lives up to their production expertise with this luxurious headphone. Made from anodized aluminum and automotive-grade metal, the No. 5909 is premium, albeit a little heavy. The headphone sports a 40mm beryllium driver and is optimized to the Harman curve. Of course, it also boasts effective noise cancellation and a companion app for minimal EQ adjustments.
The No. 5909 supports Bluetooth 5.1 and is compatible with LDAC and aptX Adaptive, among other codecs. Its battery life is up to 34 hours with ANC off and 30 hours with ANC on. Additionally, the headphone surprises with its soundstage, offering spacial audio with natural sound placement.
Priced at $999, the Mark Levinson No.5909 sets a high standard in wireless headphones with its exceptional sound quality and effective ANC capabilities.
Dali IO-12
Next on the list is the Dali IO-12. At $1,300, the IO-12 features 50mm dynamic drivers and uses Dali’s Soft Magnetic Compound system to reduce distortion. Adding to the luxurious feeling of this headphone is its premium design, with its large leather ear pads being the star of the show. Dali’s high-end headphone is compatible with Bluetooth 5.2 and supports aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive. It has physical buttons to control ANC, transparency mode, and bass boost. The IO-12 offers 35 hours of battery life.
The headphone delivers an impressive soundstage with great separation and depth. It has a dynamic bass response, and that’s before the bass boost is applied to add some thickness. The midrange is clear and realistic and the high end presents a great level of clarity. Overall, the Dali IO-12 combines premium design, comfort, and exceptional sound performance, making it a compelling choice in the competitive high-end Bluetooth headphone market.
T&A Solitaire T
Rounding out this list is the most expensive headphone of the roundup, the T+A Solitaire T. Coming in at $1,600 from the high end German audiophile company, the Solitaire T offers impressive specs and performance. They utilize soft leather ear pads for maximal comfort, though they may be a little small for some.
Most notable in the Solitaire T is its fantastic battery performance, offering up to 70 hours of playback time. It also includes a “High Quality” mode where a Quad SABRE HiFi DAC is used to enhance performance. The headphone also has ANC and transparency mode controls. At its premium price tag, the T+A Solitaire T sets a high standard for wireless ANC Bluetooth headphones, offering exceptional sound quality and features that justify the investment for audiophiles seeking top-tier wireless audio experiences.
All the headphones covered in this article are available at Audio46.com.
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