10 Over The Ear Earphones Tricks All Experts Recommend
What to Look For in Over the Ear Headphones
There are many different headphones available and the one that is best for you will be determined by your preferences, requirements and listening habits. Over-ear headphones are popular due to their sound quality and noise cancelling.
They rest over your ear and block out the ambient audio better than headsets that rest on your ears, which can press down or become hot after prolonged listening sessions.
Noise Cancellation
A great pair of over-ear headphones will isolate you from the world around you better than earbuds do, and most utilize active noise cancellation to block out sounds from the outside. Using mics to listen to the sounds around you The headphones then reverse and block out the frequencies that are disrupting your listening experience. It's a complicated process, but it's working very well. It can help you focus in noisy work environments or even sleep on an airplane or train ride or block out your loud neighbor's music.
In our tests, we have found that headphones with over-ears are more effective than earbuds in blocking out outside sounds. They are also the most suitable option for commuters. However, they do permit more high-frequency noise leakage particularly at higher volumes. This means that you might have to turn up the volume slightly louder than the case if you were using earbuds but it's worth it for peace and silence.
Over-ear headphones are more spacious than other types of headphones, and therefore they can handle larger drivers. This can provide more frequencies. Over-ear headphones will deliver a great bass if you are looking for them. The Sony WH1000XM4 is currently our top choice. It can deliver frequencies as low as 4Hz, and as high as 40kHz.
Some ANC headphones will let you manually switch the noise-canceling feature off if you want to let some external sound through, and some have a transparent mode that can be activated to allow for this. If you intend to use your headphones for more than just music, you should look for additional features such as a microphone for hands-free calls and voice assistant integration (e.g. Apple's Siri or Amazon Alexa).
Most pairs of ANC headphones are now wireless and have Bluetooth connectivity, making them easy to pair to your phone to listen to music on the move. These wireless models are increasingly equipped with microphones that permit you to make calls and participate in video conferences.
Bass
Bass is one of the most important characteristics when it is related to headphones. It doesn't matter whether it's an intense or smooth sound. It helps us feel and get into the music. It also helps us to keep in tune with the beat and rhythm of the song. Many headphones come with an audio equalizer which can be used to adjust the bass level.
Over-the-ear headphones typically have large drivers that can provide a wider range of frequencies than smaller ones, particularly at the lower end, where bass lives. This is why they typically have better bass than earbuds. The sound quality is also improved as they are able to block out more ambient noise, since the ear cups seal around your ears instead of sitting inside of them like the earbuds do.
The earcups are typically made of padded materials that make them more comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is padded to reduce pressure on the ears or head. These features, combined with the ergonomic design make over-ear headphones an excellent option for those who listen to often to music.
Generally speaking, over the ear headphones are more expensive than other types of headphones. But with the latest technologies such as active noise cancellation and Bluetooth and Bluetooth, they can be well worth the cost. If you're an audiophile, try headphones that feature top quality components and a high-resolution DAC mode to play hi-res music. There are many excellent alternatives if you're willing spend less.
The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are the ultimate audiophile's dream, with a sleek aluminum detailing and Nappa leather. They are designed to bring the sound of a mixing booth listening to your everyday. The Sivga Oriole over-ear headphones with a 1.8m cord and 50mm dynamic drivers are an excellent example of value. They also come with a 3.5mm - 6.3 adapter, as well as an e-carry case made of hemp.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds encapsulate the ears completely with a fuller headband that covers an extensive portion of the skull. This means they're usually much more comfortable and ideal for long listening sessions. Over-ear headphones are also better at noise cancellation, as they block out the background noise.
However, comfort is a very personal matter and will depend on how well the headphones fit. If the headband isn't snug it can cause discomfort or pain in your earlobes. If the ear cups however, are too small, they could cause irritation to your ear canals, or piercings. The size and depth of the ear cups are important too since they can have a significant impact on the quality of your listening experience.
Compared to in-ear headphones, over-ear headphones usually have larger drivers, enabling them to cover greater frequency ranges, especially at the lower end, where bass is at its peak. They also have more space to work in, which allows for larger and more powerful acoustic components offering more powerful audio and a larger soundstage. They are also lighter and feature more user-friendly features, like automatic audio controls.
The drawback of this additional power is that over-ear headphones may be more difficult to carry and transport than in-ear or on-ear models. They also are more likely to sweat and get hot when worn for long periods of time. Over-ear headphones are becoming more mobile and come with features that make them comfortable to wear for longer durations of time.
For example, some over-ear headphones have foldable ear cups that collapse to a smaller size to make it easier to store and transport. They also have more flexible headbands which can be adjusted for a better and more comfortable fit. Wireless connectivity, integrated microphones, smart assistant support and even noise cancelling built-in for hands-free calling are other features that make over-ear headphones more portable and comfortable. Over-ear headphones are an excellent choice for those who commute, business travellers and even those who travel.
Design
The design of the headphones can impact the sound quality. The larger earcups can offer larger soundstages and bigger drivers could offer better bass, however this is contingent on the model you select. In addition, open-back headphones generally have a larger soundstage than closed-back models. Certain premium headphones come with advanced acoustics with built-in sound processors to enhance certain aspects of sound, like an amplitude response and harmonic distortion.
The majority of over-ear earphones are constructed of foam or a similar material to ensure comfort, with padding on the cups and the ear canals. This makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. However headphones over-ear of your head may affect the level of comfort they wear. If you want to wear them with your cap or are looking for more flexibility, select an adjustable design. This lets you remove the cups from your ears.
Many headphones with over-ears have an active noise cancellation function that makes use of a microphone to listen to ambient noise and then plays back frequencies that counteract those of the unwanted sounds. This works much the same way as a door can block out noise in another room. Over-ear headphones are more effective in active noise cancellation than some on-ear models.
Certain over-ear headphones like the Focal Wireless Bathys feature an underlying sound that tends heavily towards bass. This can provide lots of thump that can complement EDM and hip-hop, but vocals and instruments can be a bit lost in the mix. The companion app features an image EQ and presets to help you adjust the sound profile to your liking.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is a pair of over-ear headphones that have the best audio quality. These headphones boast an impressive 60-hour battery life, a sophisticated adaptive noise cancellation system, and a powerful sound that can completely transport you to a music-filled world. They're more expensive than most over-ear headphones, however their premium design and broad range of features make them worth the cost.