Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds
Over-ear headphones create a physical barrier to external sounds by creating a sonic barrier around your ears. The best models come with huge soundstages and audiophile features.
Over-ear headphones are usually more bulkier and larger than earbuds, although they can fold down and come with a carrying case to make it easier to carry. They can have longer battery life and also offer superior noise cancellation.
Sound Quality
Over-ear headphones are a great choice for those who want to listen on public transport, or at work. They provide the best sound quality and noise cancelling technology. For many people this is a major issue and over-ear headphones are their preferred choice.
Over-ear headphones have a larger design, allowing them to have a much larger driver than earbuds. This leads to greater sound reproduction and audio quality. This is particularly true at lower frequencies, where headphones are more powerful and a deeper bass than earbuds.
Over-ear headphones also isolate the listener from noises around them which makes them an intimate and private experience. The soundproofing of headphones can be improved by using active noise cancellation, which works by emitting reversed noise that reduces external sounds. Many wireless headphones that feature ANC come with multiple modes that allow you to select the level of volume you'd like.
The open-back design is yet another feature that sets over-ear headphones apart from earbuds. The sound can out of the ear cups and interact with the environment, and increase the sense of immersion. It's not something you'll discover in every pair of over-ear headphones, but those with it typically provide a larger and more spacious soundstage to enjoy your music.
Master & Dynamic headphones are the newest over-ear wireless headphones to adopt this approach. They have a model MW75 that was launched in June. Leather, aluminum and glasses with tempered lenses make them look classy. The MW75 comes with a variety of ANC modes that can be adjusted to different environments, as well as a longer battery life.
Focal's new headphones for over-ears are a different set with an open-back design and feature an expansive soundstage that complements their music-centric features. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy mix with plenty thump, punch and thump that complement EDM and hip hop. The bass can drown out instruments and vocals, but the graphic EQ in the companion app lets you alter the sound to suit your preference. It is also possible to use them using a wired connection USB-C mode to allow high-res audio with a maximum of 24bit/192kHz.
Isolation
Sound isolation is a crucial factor to consider when selecting headphones. The best headphones for noise reduction are closed-back over-ear headphones with large ear cushions that effectively wrap around the ears. These headphones block out the majority of outside sound and provide a solid seal, which helps to reduce the sound of ambient sounds such as music or voices. Some wireless headphones feature active noise cancellation, which further enhances isolation by removing the background noise without sacrificing quality audio.
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro wireless over-ear headphones offer great isolation from sound. They offer excellent passive noise isolation and are extremely light, making them a comfortable choice for long listening sessions. They provide a balanced and natural sound, with excellent bass and high-frequency. The headphones are also ideal for studio use and come with a high-quality microphone to make calls.
Another great option is the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. These headphones are designed to be comfortable and have a swivel fitting and soft earpads that are covered in soft, luxurious fabrics. They also have an earpiece that can be used as a noise cancelling microphone and are compatible with a variety of smartphones.
These headphones are designed to be a multi-purpose device and come with premium features that you won't find in cheaper models. They include Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX support for improved speeds of transmission and a lower delay. They are also waterproof and an excellent choice for your next outdoor adventure.
The Sennheiser HD 25 II also offers a high level of sound reduction through passive which reduces ambient noise levels by 20 decibels. This is a staggering amount of reduction, making it possible to listen to your music even in noisy environments.
Over-ear headphones are also more comfortable than earbuds. While each user will be different, many users report that earbuds cause discomfort during long listening sessions. Earbuds are also prone to slip out of your ear and are typically covered in earwax. Over-ear headphones, on the other on the other hand are less likely to cause damage to your hearing and are closer to your eardrums.
Portability
Over-ear headphones are more comfortable for long periods of time because they feature large ear cups. Over-ear headphones are also ideal for long commutes and flights as they keep you away from the world outside. Over-ear headphones tend to be larger, and have a higher quality sound. They also have bigger drivers and a wider frequency range.
Headphones come in different styles, sizes and price points to suit different requirements and budgets. Cheap headphones are usually wired and connected via an ordinary 3.5mm plug, while premium models have Bluetooth connectivity, a USB-DAC for high-resolution audio playback, and other features such as noise cancellation.
Even sports-specific headphones with earpads that can be washed or breathable and a tighter clamping force will hold them in place while exercising. Find headphones that can be folded up into a small bag and then tucked away in your bag or jacket.
Some wireless headphones come with built-in microphones that allow you to make calls on your tablet or phone without taking off the headphones. This is particularly useful in crowded places where it may be difficult to hear other people.
Over-ear headphones are an ideal choice for listening to podcasts or audiobooks since the earphones block out some ambient sound, so they are more comfortable to listen to while reading or just relax at home.
In our tests, the Focal Wireless Bathys headphones were the best wireless headphones over-ear. They are specifically designed for music fans. The companion app comes with an EQ graphic, presets and an audio profile that can be altered. They utilize an aptX adaptive codec to stream high-resolution audio using apps such as Tidal.
Some over-ear headphones can be bulky, and packing them into luggage or in a backpack is a major challenge. However their weight and size are a trade-off for improved comfort and better audio quality that's not available through earbuds.
Battery Life
The top headphones for over-ears offer long battery lives. They last longer because they don't have to perform as hard to keep your ears warm. Over-ears are great to listen while moving around regardless of whether you're on the move or just commuting.
These headphones are ideal for students and office workers who need to focus on their work. 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, allowing them to connect with multiple devices at once.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones are among the most coveted over-ear Bluetooth headphones. They come with an adapter that recharges the case and provides up to 60 hours of playback, and they can be used hands-free for calls thanks to their built-in microphones. They feature intelligent active noise cancellation technology that automatically adjusts sound settings to your surroundings. You can turn it on by pressing a single button. Automatic ear detection will stop the playback when you remove them and resumes it automatically when you put them back on.
Other over-ears with impressive battery life include the Focal's newest Bluetooth headphones, the Bathys. These high-end headphones were designed to delight audiophiles. They feature a soundstage that will transport you into a musical setting. The headphones are loaded with a myriad of features and a sophisticated system for noise cancellation. They can also last up to 34 hours with the full battery.
Over-ears also offer more listening time than on-ears, thanks to their bigger earcups, which can hold larger batteries. Certain budget models can last up to 95 hours of listening time on one battery charge (EdifierW830BT), more than twice what you get with the best on-ear headphones.
Over-ear Bluetooth headphones will be the ideal choice for audiophiles who are looking for a pair of durable, premium headphones that can last for years. Since they are further away from the eardrums, they are less likely to damage your hearing. According to the British Hearing Foundation over-ear headphones can be used for longer listening sessions than in-ear headphones.