Tested Over-ear Headphones: Leading Models Revealed
In the latest issue of the popular German tech magazine Computer Bild, eight top models of over-ear headphones from various manufacturers were tested and rated. The test focused on sound quality, ease of use, mobility, comfort, and the supplied accessories.
The Top Contenders
The results of the rigorous testing have been published, and here are the top-rated headphones:
- Sonos Ace – Test winner with a score of 1.2
- Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 – Price-performance winner with a score of 1.3
- JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX – Third place, also scoring 1.3
A Closer Look at the Top Models
Sonos Ace
The Sonos Ace secured first place with a score of 1.2, impressing testers with its ability to reproduce both fine and powerful, bass-heavy sounds with high quality. The Sonos Ace stands out for its very good ease of use, featuring a sliding regulator for quick volume adjustment. With noise cancelling, these headphones can keep disruptive ambient noise at bay. Users can also individually adjust the sound using the Sonos app.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 received a score of 1.3 and was awarded the title of "Best Value Champion" at 320 euros. The sound quality is described as clean and balanced, and the noise cancelling is effective. The controls are intuitive and user-friendly.
JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX
The JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX matches the PX7 S3’s score of 1.3 and stands out for its exceptional battery life of almost 80 hours. It includes a transmitter accessory, enabling control over the headphones without needing to access a smartphone, improving ease of use and mobility.
All models scored highly in comfort, with no specific negative remarks on fit or wearability.
Pricing and Accessories
The price range of the top models tested is between 299 euros and 500 euros. The Sonos Ace is priced at 360 euros, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 is available for 320 euros, and the JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX is priced at 400 euros.
The table below provides a comparison of the key categories for each model:
| Headphone Model | Sound Quality | Ease of Use | Mobility | Comfort | Accessories | Price (Euro) | |-----------------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------| | Sonos Ace | High quality with fine and bass-heavy sound; adjustable via app | Very easy with quick volume slider | Good for transport, implied by portability | Comfortable (implied by top rating) | Controlled via Sonos app | 360 | | Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 | Clean, balanced sound; effective noise cancelling | Intuitive controls, user-friendly | Good mobility thanks to active noise cancelling | Comfortable; highly rated | Noise cancelling technology | 320 | | JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX| Very good sound respected by testers | Comes with a transmitter for remote control, reducing phone use | Strong mobility with nearly 80h battery life | Comfortable (as a top-three model) | Transmitter for direct control | 400 |
For more details on the test and the findings, you can refer to the Computer Bild 18/2025 test report summarizing the top five-category test of over-ear headphones.
- The Sonos Ace, with its impressive sound quality reproducing both fine and powerful bass-heavy sounds, and its user-friendly controls featuring a sliding regulator, has showcased its dominance in the realm of gadgets and technology.
- The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3, acknowledged for its clean and balanced sound and effective noise cancelling, is a prime example of technology's ability to provide exceptional value, priced at a reasonable 320 euros.
