Why All The Fuss Over Over The Ear Earphones?
What to Look For in Over the Ear Headphones
There are many different headphones on the market and the one that's right for you will be determined by your needs, preferences and listening habits. Over the ear headphones are well-known for their audio quality and noise cancellation.
They sit over your ears and block out any ambient noise better than headphones that rest on your eardrums which can press down or get hot after prolonged listening sessions.
Noise Cancellation
Over-ear headphones block out the outside world a little better than earbuds and a lot of them utilize active noise cancellation in order to block out sounds from the outside. The headphones employ microphones to listen for sounds around you, and then digitally alter the frequency to block them out. It's a complicated process, but it's extremely effective. This can help you focus in a noisy office and also sleep on a plane or train journey, and even block out the loud music of your neighbor.
In our tests, we discovered that headphones with over-ears are more effective than earbuds when it comes to blocking out external sounds. They are also the most suitable option for commuters. They still leak more high-frequency sounds, particularly when they are played at higher volumes. This means that you might have to crank up your music a little louder than if you were using earbuds, but it's worth it for the peace and quiet.
Over-ear headphones are more spacious than other types of headphones, and therefore they can handle larger drivers. This can provide a wider range of frequencies. This is important because if you're looking for a pair that can deliver excellent bass, then over-ear headphones are the best way to go. In our current favourites the Sony WH-1000XM4 you can hear frequencies as low as 4Hz and as high as 40kHz.
Certain ANC headphones let you turn off the noise cancelling function if you wish to let some external sound in. Some have a transparency mode that can be turned on to allow this function. If you plan to use the headphones for something other than music, check for features such as an inbuilt microphone that can be used for hands-free calls as well as voice assistants (e.g. Apple's Siri, or Amazon Alexa.
The majority of ANC headphones today are wireless and have Bluetooth connectivity. This makes it easy to pair them with your phone and enjoy music on the move. These wireless models will also have microphones that allow you to make calls as well as participate in video conferences.
Bass
Bass is among the most important characteristics when it comes to headphones. Whether over ear noise cancelling headphones 's a booming beat or a smooth melody it helps us feel the music and get in the zone. It also helps us stay in time with the beat and rhythm of the music. This is the reason why many headphones have an built-in equalizer that can be used to adjust the bass level.
Over the ear headphones usually come with large drivers that produce a wider range of frequencies than smaller headphones, particularly at the lower end, where bass lives. This is why over-ear headphones often have a superior bass than earbuds. The sound quality is also improved since they can block out more ambient noise since the ear cups are sealed around your ears instead of being inside them as the earbuds do.
The earcups are typically constructed of padded materials to make them more comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband is padded to reduce pressure on the ears or head. These features combined with a comfortable design make these over the ear headphones an ideal choice for people who listen to music frequently.
Generally speaking, over-the-ear headphones are more expensive than other types of headphones. However, with the most recent technologies such as active noise cancellation and Bluetooth headphones, they are worthwhile. If you're an audiophile, opt for headphones with high-resolution DAC modes and premium components that provide high-resolution audio. If you're willing to spend less, there are plenty of fantastic options out there too.
Focal Bathys wireless headphones are an audiophile's mix-booth dream. With sleek aluminum details, Nappa leather and a 1.8m cable and a 3.5mm to 6.3 adapter, these headphones bring the mix-booth experience to your everyday life. The Sivga Oriole over-ear headphones with a 1.8m cord and 50mm dynamic drivers are an great example of value. They also include an 3.5mm adapter, a 3.5mm 6.3 adapter, and an e-carry case made of hemp.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones, in contrast to earbuds are completely enclosed and cover a greater area of the skull. They also provide more comfort, making them ideal for long listening sessions. Additionally, over-ear headphones can also provide better noise cancellation as they block out more ambient sound.
The fitting of the headphones can affect the comfort. If the headband is too tight it could put pressure on your earlobes, which can cause discomfort or even pain. If the ear cups, on the other hand are too small, they can cause irritation to your ear canals or piercings. The size and depth of the ear cups is crucial as they can significantly alter the quality of your listening experience.
In comparison to in-ear headphones over-ear headphones generally have larger drivers, which allows them to cover greater frequency ranges, and especially at the lower end, where bass is at its best. They have more room and can utilize larger and more powerful components. This results in a better sound quality and more expansive soundstage. They are also lighter and have more user-friendly features like automated audio controls.
Over-ear headphones are heavy and more difficult to transport than in-ear or on-ear models. They can also get hotter and sweatier if worn for a long period of time. Fortunately, manufacturers are starting to take these concerns into account by making over-ear headphones more lightweight and equipped with features that allow them to be worn longer periods of time.
For instance, some over-ear headphones have foldable ear cups that fold to smaller dimensions to make it easier to store and transport. They also have more flexible headbands that can be adjusted for a better and more comfortable fit. Other features that make over-ear headphones to be more convenient and portable include wireless connectivity and integrated microphones as well as smart assistant support and even built-in noise cancelling for hands-free calls. Over-ear headphones are an excellent choice for those who commute, business travelers, and even for those who travel on the road.
Design
The design of the headphones can impact the sound quality. The larger earcups can offer larger soundstages and bigger drivers could offer more bass, but this will depend on the specific model you select. Open-back headphones have a bigger soundstage than closed back models. Certain premium headphones also have advanced acoustics that incorporate sound processing to improve certain aspects of sound, such as frequency response and total harmonic distortion.
Most over-ear headphones are made from foam or similar materials to provide comfort. They also have padding on the cups and around the ears. This makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The size of your head can affect how comfortable the headphones are. If you're planning to wear them with your cap or are looking for more flexibility, opt for an adjustable design. This lets you move away the cups from your ears.
A lot of over-ear headphones come with an active noise cancellation function that makes use of a microphone to listen to ambient noise and then plays back frequencies that block out the unwanted sound. This works much the same way a door would block out noise in another room. Over-ear headphones are more effective at active noise cancellation than some on-ear models.
Certain headphones that are over-ear like the Focal Wireless Bathys feature an underlying sound that tends heavily towards bass. This can deliver plenty of thump that can complement EDM and hip-hop, however vocals and instruments may be a bit absent from the mix. The companion app offers graphic EQ as well as presets and other features to customize the sound profile.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is a pair over-ear headphones with the highest audio quality. These headphones boast an impressive 60-hour battery life, a highly sophisticated adaptive noise cancellation system, and a powerful sound that can completely transport you to a musical world. They're more expensive than most over-ear models, but they're worth the cost due to their high-end build quality and wide range of features.