Tested Over-Ear Headphones: Leading Models Reviewed
Top Over-Ear Headphones Under 500 Euros: A Comparative Review by Computer Bild
In the latest issue of Computer Bild (18/2025), eight top-tier over-ear headphones were tested and rated, with prices ranging from 299 to 500 euros. Among the contenders, three models stood out for their unique features and exceptional performance.
Sonos Ace: The Sound and Ease of Use Champion
Taking the crown with a rating of 1.2, the Sonos Ace headphones impressed the testers with its fine and powerful, bass-rich sound that can be individually adjusted using the Sonos app. The headphones are easy to use, featuring a volume slider for quick adjustments, making them a breeze to operate.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3: The Price-Performance Winner
The PX7 S3 from Bowers & Wilkins, priced at 320 euros, was named the "Best Value Champion" with a score of 1.3. These headphones deliver clean and balanced sound, with effective noise cancelling that blocks out background noise.
JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX: The Endurance Champion
The JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX, also rated 1.3, impressed especially with its nearly 80-hour battery life. This model comes with a transmitter that allows controlling the headphones without a smartphone, making it a convenient choice for extended use.
A Closer Look: Key Categories Compared
| Feature | Sonos Ace | Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 | JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX | |-------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Sound | Fine and powerful, bass-rich; customizable via app | Clean, balanced; effective noise cancellation | Strong sound quality; long runtime supports extended use | | Ease of Use | Very simple, volume adjustable via slider | Effective noise cancelling controls | Comes with a transmitter for easy remote control without phone | | Mobility | Mid-range price implies portable design | Compact and balanced performance | Very long battery life (~80 hours) enhances mobility | | Wearing Comfort| Not explicitly detailed, implied good based on ranking | Comfortable as implied by high rating | Comfortable; designed for long use (noted by battery life focus) | | Accessories | Sonos app for sound tuning | None specifically mentioned | Includes a transmitter for control |
Summary
In summary, the Sonos Ace leads with sound quality and ease of use, PX7 S3 shines in balanced sound and price-performance ratio, and JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX stands out with exceptional battery life and unique control via a transmitter. Four of the eight top models received the rating "very good". The test considered headphones that use noise cancelling technology to block out disturbing ambient noise, focusing on sound, ease of use, mobility, wearing comfort, and supplied accessories. The test included headphones suitable for both outdoor and indoor use, with the newcomer among the top models not specified in the provided information. The test results were published in issue 18/2025 of the magazine "Computer Bild". The Sonos Ace headphones cost 360 euros, while the PX7 S3 from Bowers & Wilkins and the Tour One M3 Smart TX from JBL are priced at 320 and 400 euros, respectively.
- The Sonos Ace headphones, with their fine and powerful sound that can be customized using the Sonos app, stand out among tech gadgets for their exceptional performance, as detailed in the latest issue of Computer Bild (18/2025).
- The JBL Tour One M3 Smart TX, with its nearly 80-hour battery life, is one of the top technology gadgets that impressed testers with its long-lasting performance and unique control features, as outlined in the review by Computer Bild (18/2025).
