How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a hi-res over-ear headphone with a 40-hour battery, a folding frame and a 20 Hz–40 kHz driver range, choose RCA Wave-56; if you need true active noise cancellation, a 90-hour charging case and a sweat-proof in-ear fit for the gym, choose GNMN Active Noise Cancelling.
• RCA Wave-56 — biggest strength: an over-ear design with Hi-Res Audio, a 20 Hz–40 kHz frequency range and up to 40 hours of playtime on a single charge. That combination is what most people mean when they shop for hi-res headphones: a bigger driver chamber over the ear, a wide frequency window and enough battery to leave the charger at home.
• RCA Wave-56 — biggest trade-off: the noise control is listed as sound isolation, not active noise cancellation, and there is no headphone jack, so wired listening is off the table. It is a Bluetooth-only, passive-isolation headphone.
• GNMN Active Noise Cancelling — biggest strength: genuine active noise cancellation rated to reduce surrounding noise by up to 45 dB, plus a transparency mode you switch to with a double-tap of the MFB button, 90 hours of total playback with the case, and an IPX7 waterproof rating.
• GNMN Active Noise Cancelling — biggest trade-off: it is an in-ear bud with ear hooks, so it sits inside your ear canal rather than around it. The audio path is a 14.2 mm dynamic driver, and the fit depends entirely on which of the four ear tip sizes you use.
• Pick RCA Wave-56 if you want over-ear comfort, a foldable travel-friendly body and the widest frequency range of the two.
• Pick GNMN Active Noise Cancelling if you want real ANC, a waterproof sports build and the longest battery figure here.
The Wave-56 is a classic over-ear Bluetooth headphone built around long sessions. RCA rates the battery at up to 40 hours, which is the kind of number that covers a full work week of commuting, a long-haul flight, or several days of study without hunting for a cable. The cups sit over the ear with fabric enclosure material, an adjustable headband and cushioned ear cups, and the whole thing folds down for storage. That folding hinge matters more than it sounds — it means the headphones collapse into a backpack or carry-on instead of riding on top of your bag. RCA even ships a protective case in the box.
Who should buy it: frequent travelers, students, remote workers and anyone who wants one pair of over-ear headphones for long listening sessions and prefers the feel of cups around the ears instead of tips inside them. Who should skip it: anyone who specifically needs active noise cancellation to silence an engine hum or a loud office, and anyone who wants a wired option, because the Wave-56 has no headphone jack at all. If you fly a lot and rely on ANC to do the heavy lifting, this is not the tool for the job — its noise control is sound isolation, which is passive.
GNMN Active Noise Cancelling: Who It's For
The GNMN X19 goes the other direction entirely. It is a true wireless in-ear bud with ear hooks, and its headline feature is active noise cancellation. GNMN states the upgraded ANC reduces surrounding noise by up to 45 dB and eliminates about 90 percent of background sound, with a transparency mode you reach by double-tapping the MFB button so you can hear traffic or someone talking to you. You cycle between ANC, Transparency and Normal with three presses of the MFB button. That is a genuinely useful trio for anyone moving between a noisy gym, a plane cabin and a quiet street.
Battery is the other standout. Each bud runs up to 9 hours on a single charge, and the charging case pushes total playback to 90 hours. The case charges over USB-C in about 2 hours and has an LED display showing the case's remaining power and the buds' charging progress, so you are not guessing. The audio hardware is a 14.2 mm dynamic driver — a large speaker for an in-ear — tuned for deep bass, smooth mids and crisp highs. There is also a dedicated call mic plus noise-cancelling mics, and each bud carries full volume and track controls on its own, so you can run a single bud and still control everything.
The build is pointed squarely at movement. IPX7 waterproofing means sweat, rain and splashes are not a concern. Four pairs of ear tips (XS, S, M, L) are included, which matters if you have smaller ears, and the flexible ear hooks are designed to hold the buds in place during hard exercise. Bluetooth 5.3 covers the connection with a stated range of 33 feet.
Who should buy it: runners, gym-goers, cyclists and commuters who want real ANC in a small package and hate charging. Who should skip it: listeners who dislike the sensation of in-ear tips, and anyone who wants the open, spacious presentation of an over-ear cup — an in-ear bud simply cannot recreate that. The color is Rose Pink, and the enclosure is plastic.
• Best for hi-res headphone shopping → RCA Wave-56. Its 20 Hz–40 kHz frequency range and over-ear dynamic driver are the closest thing here to a hi-res listening setup.
• Best for active noise cancellation → GNMN Active Noise Cancelling. Up to 45 dB of noise reduction and a dedicated transparency mode; the Wave-56 only offers passive sound isolation.
• Best for battery life → GNMN Active Noise Cancelling. 90 hours total with the case versus 40 hours on the Wave-56 — though note the Wave-56 does it all on one charge with no case involved.
• Best for all-day comfort over long sessions → RCA Wave-56. Over-ear cups, an adjustable headband and fabric enclosure material are built for hours of wear without anything sitting in your ear canal.
• Best for the gym and outdoor workouts → GNMN Active Noise Cancelling. IPX7 waterproofing, secure ear hooks and four tip sizes make it the obvious pick for sweat and movement.
• Best for travel storage → RCA Wave-56. It folds and ships with a protective case, while the GNMN lives in a small charging case.
• Best for calls and quick controls → GNMN Active Noise Cancelling. Dedicated call and noise-cancelling mics, plus independent volume and track control on each bud.
• Best for wired listening → neither. Both are wireless-only with no headphone jack, so plan on Bluetooth in every scenario.
In my opinion, the RCA Wave-56 is the better buy for most people reading this, because the question in the headline is about hi-res headphones, and the Wave-56 is the one built for that job: an over-ear dynamic driver covering 20 Hz to 40 kHz, 40 hours of playback, and a folding, case-included body that travels well. I would only steer you to the GNMN X19 if active noise cancellation and waterproofing are non-negotiable for you — for the gym, running or a noisy commute, its 45 dB ANC, IPX7 rating and 90-hour case make it the stronger tool. Decide which of those two needs is louder in your life, then check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
FAQ
what is hi res headphones
what are hi res headphones
They are the same category described another way: over-ear or in-ear headphones whose drivers and electronics are built to handle high-resolution audio rather than just compressed streaming. In this comparison, the RCA Wave-56 fits the description with its dynamic over-ear driver and 20 Hz–40 kHz range, while the GNMN X19 focuses on a 14.2 mm driver tuned for deep bass and ANC rather than an extended frequency spec.
what is hi res audio headphones
Hi-res audio refers to the source files — higher sample rates and bit depth than CD-quality — and hi-res audio headphones are the playback gear meant to do those files justice. Practically, that means a driver with headroom above the audible band and a clean signal path. The Wave-56's stated 40 kHz ceiling is the spec that puts it in this conversation.
which headphones support hi res lossless
Support depends on both the headphones and the Bluetooth codec your phone negotiates, since Bluetooth itself compresses the stream. Of these two, the RCA Wave-56 is the one marketed with Hi-Res Audio and the wider 20 Hz–40 kHz frequency range; the GNMN X19 is specified for Hi-Fi stereo sound with a 14.2 mm driver but does not list a hi-res frequency range, and neither model offers a wired jack for a true lossless connection.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: JBUNION Active Noise Cancelling vs TOZO Hybrid Active Noise, Tiffmoo Neckband vs TANKASE Active Noise Cancelling, jechan Call Noise Cancelling vs Generic Earbuds Active Noise