The premium noise-cancelling headphones market has never been more competitive or more expensive. With flagship models routinely exceeding $700, choosing the right pair demands careful consideration beyond marketing hype and brand loyalty.

Do you prioritise pristine sound quality, marathon battery life, whisper-quiet noise cancellation or seamless ecosystem integration? The answer isn’t universal, and neither, really, are the “best” headphones. For me, there is one clear leader.

Sennheiser’s HDB 630: Simply the best-sounding Bluetooth over-ear headphones I’ve tried over the past decade.Credit: Sennheiser

I spent weeks testing six premium over-ear models ranging from $549 to $1000 (with frequent sales bringing them significantly lower, particularly as Black Friday and Boxing Day near). Each excels in specific areas while making distinct compromises.

While the Sony WH-1000XM5 continues its reign as the well-rounded default choice, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra edges ahead in pure noise-cancelling performance and comfort. Apple’s AirPods Max remain the ecosystem king for iOS users despite ageing internals and premium pricing.

Meanwhile, Sonos Ace targets home-theatre enthusiasts with unique soundbar integration, and Dyson’s OnTrac brings radical customisation and record-breaking battery life to the category. Then there’s the Sennheiser HDB 630, which you just have to hear to believe.

I’ve tested them on flights, in coffee shops, during work calls and through hundreds of hours of music across genres (a lot of it was my favourite jazz artist, pianist Bill Evans). Street prices, not just RRP, factor heavily into the recommendations as discounts frequently shift the value equation. Here’s what I found.

These new headphones from Sennheiser don’t look like anything special at first glance. They share a similar design to the well-received Momentum 4 headphones and look sturdy but not at all flashy.

Looks can be deceiving. These are simply the best-sounding Bluetooth over-ear headphones I’ve tried over the past decade.

The secret?

A USB-C dongle that plugs into your smartphone, laptop or tablet enabling........

© The Sydney Morning Herald