It's Time To Extend Your Over-Ear Headphones Wireless Options
Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds
Over-ear headphones are able to encapsulate your ears and create physical barriers between you and the outside sounds. The best models have massive soundstages, and audiophile features.
Over-ear headphones tend to be larger and bulkier than earbuds, although many fold up and come with a carry case for portability. They can offer longer battery life and superior noise cancellation.
Sound Quality
While earbuds are ideal for portability and convenience over-ear headphones have better sound quality and usually feature noise cancellation technology that makes them perfect for listening in public transport or at the office. Over-ear headphones are the preferred option for a lot of people due to the fact that they provide high-quality sound and noise cancelling technology.
Over-ear headphones have a larger design, allowing them to have a larger driver than earbuds. This results in greater sound reproduction and the quality of sound. This is particularly true at lower frequencies, where headphones have a more powerful and a deeper bass than earbuds.
Over-ear headphones isolate you from ambient noises, creating a more immersive experience. Active noise cancellation can boost the soundproofing capabilities of over-ear headphones by emitting reversed sound that block out external sounds. The majority of wireless headphones with ANC have different modes that allow you to choose the level of loudness or silence you would like to listen.
Another feature that differentiates over-ear headphones from earbuds is their open-back design. This means that the sound can leave the earcups and interact with the surrounding space, which enhances immersion. This isn't something you'll find in every pair of over-ear headphones but the ones with it typically offer a wider and more expansive soundstage to listen to your music.
Master and Dynamic headphones are the newest over-ear wireless headphones to adopt this approach. They have a MW75 model that debuted in June. The combination of leather, aluminum and glasses that are tempered give them a premium look. The MW75 comes with several ANC modes that can be adjusted to various environments, and longer battery life.
The first headphones from Focal's over-ear range feature an open-back design with a large soundstage that compliments their music-focused features. Their default sound profile is rich in bass and full of thump and a punch to go with EDM and hip-hop. The bass can obscure vocals and instruments, but the graphic EQ feature in the companion app lets you tweak the sound to your preferences. The devices can be used in USB-C mode with an Ethernet cable to provide high-resolution audio to 24bit/192kHz.
Isolation
Sound isolation is an important aspect to take into account when selecting headphones. The best headphones to block out the noise are closed-back, over-ear headphones with large ear cushions. They block out most outside sounds and provide solid sealing that minimizes ambient noises, such as music or voices. Some over-ear wireless headphones also come with active noise cancellation which further improves isolation by blocking out the sounds from your surroundings, without sacrificing quality audio.
If you're in search of an over-ear wireless headphones with excellent sound insulation, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is an outstanding option. They offer impressive noise isolation and are lightweight, making them a comfortable option for long listening sessions. They provide a balanced and natural sound, with excellent bass and high-frequency. These headphones are ideal for studios and come with a high-quality mic for calls.
The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II is another excellent choice. These headphones are designed to be comfortable and have a swivel fitting and soft earpads encased with soft fabrics. They also come with a noise-canceling microphone, and are compatible with most smartphones.
They're designed to be an all-rounder with features you won't find on less expensive models. They come with Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX support for improved speeds of transmission and a lower delay. They're also waterproof, making them an ideal option for your next outdoor adventure.
In addition to ANC, the Sennheiser HD 25 II offers an impressively high level of passive noise reduction, cutting down ambient sound levels by 20 decibels. This is a significant reduction, which allows you to enjoy your favorite music in noisy environments.
Over-ear headphones can also provide more comfort than earbuds. Many users report that earbuds can cause discomfort after long listening sessions. Earbuds are also more likely to slide out of your ears and are often covered in ear wax. By contrast, over-ear headphones are less likely to cause this problem and sit closer to your eardrums, which reduces the risk of damage to your hearing.
Portability
Over-ear headphones have large cups that protect your ears, making them more comfortable to wear for longer durations. The over-ear design also helps to keep you away from the world which makes them a good choice for commutes and long flights. The larger earcups of over-ear headphones generally permit them to provide the best audio quality, with larger drivers and a greater frequency range than earbuds.
Headphones come in different styles, sizes, and price ranges. They can be adapted to meet your budget and preferences. Cheap headphones are usually wired and connected using an ordinary 3.5mm plug, while premium models include Bluetooth connectivity and a USB-DAC for high-resolution audio playback, and extra features such as noise cancellation.
There are even sports-specific over-ear headphones that come with sweat-proof or washable earpads as well as more secure clamping force to keep them in place even during intense exercise. If you want the most portable option, look for headphones that fold into a small case and can be easily tucked away in your bag or jacket pocket.
Some over-ear headphones wireless include microphones, allowing you to take calls with your phone or tablet without taking the headphones off. This is particularly useful in crowded places where it is difficult to hear someone else.
Over-ear headphones are an ideal choice for listening to audiobooks and podcasts because the earphones block some background noise, which means they are easier to listen to while you read or just relax at your home.
In our tests, we discovered the best pair of wireless over-ear headphones to be the Focal Bathys Wireless. They're designed for music lovers and have an app companion to the headphones that includes a graphic EQ and presets to alter the sound profile. They employ an aptX adaptive codec to stream high-resolution music with apps such as Tidal.
On the flip side there are headphones that are a bit bulky and require some thought before packing them away, especially in a backpack or suitcase. The size and weight of the over-ear headphones are sacrificed to provide higher quality of audio and the comfort that earbuds cannot provide.
Battery Life
The best over-ear headphones have long battery lives. They don't have to work as hard to keep your ears warm and therefore their batteries will last longer than those in on-ears. Over-ears are ideal for listening while on the move regardless of whether you're on the move or commuting.
They are also a great option for office workers as well as students who must stay focused on their tasks. The Marshall Major IIIs are light comfortable to wear and offer up to 44 hours of continuous playback on one charge. They also come with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which allows them to pair with several devices simultaneously.
The Sony WH1000XM5 Wireless Headphones which are over-ear Bluetooth headphones are among the top-rated. They come with a rechargeable case that offers up to 60 hours of playback, and they can also be used hands-free to make calls thanks to their built-in microphones. The headphones come with the latest technology for active noise cancellation which automatically adjusts the sound settings to the environment in which you are. You can activate it with a single button. Automatic ear detection will stop the playback when you remove them and then resumes it when you put back on.
Other over-ears with impressive battery life include the Focal's newest Bluetooth headphones that are the Bathys. These premium headphones were created to impress audiophiles. They feature a soundstage that will transport you into a musical setting. These headphones come with a variety of features as well as a sophisticated system to block out noise. They can also last up to 34 hours with an all-day battery.
Over-ears can also provide more listening time than traditional on-ears, due to their larger earcups that can accommodate larger batteries. Some budget models can provide up to 95 hours of playback time on a single charge (Edifier W830BT) that's more than double what you will get from top on-ear headphones.
Over-ear Bluetooth headphones are the ideal choice for audiophiles in search of a pair of durable, high-quality headphones that will last for years. Since they are further away from the eardrums, they are less likely to harm your hearing. According to the British Hearing Foundation over-ear headphones are suitable for longer listening sessions than in-ear headphones.