Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds
Over-ear headphones protect your ears and create an invisible barrier between you and outside sounds. The most effective models feature huge soundstages and audiophile features.
Over-ear headphones are usually larger and bulkier than earbuds. However, many fold up and come with a carrying case to make it easier to carry. They can offer longer battery life and superior noise cancellation.
Sound Quality
While earbuds are excellent for portability and ease of use over-ear headphones have superior sound quality and typically feature noise cancellation technology that makes them ideal for listening on public transport or at the office. For many people, this is a deal-breaker and over-ear headphones are their preferred choice.
Over-ear headphones feature a bigger design, allowing them to have a larger speaker than earbuds. This leads to greater sound reproduction and the quality of sound. This is especially true for lower frequencies, where headphones are more powerful and fuller bass than earbuds.
Over-ear headphones can also block your ears from the outside noise, making them a more intimate and private experience. Active noise cancellation can enhance the soundproofing of over ear headphones by emitting reversed sound that block out external sounds. Many over-ear wireless headphones which feature ANC come with multiple modes that let you select the amount of volume you desire.
Another aspect that separates over-ear headphones from earbuds is their open-back design. This allows the audio to out of the ear cups and interact with the environment, and increase the sense of immersion. It's not something you'll find in every pair over-ear headphones, but the ones that do have it generally provide a larger and more expansive soundstage to enjoy your music.
Master and Dynamic headphones are the latest over-ear wireless headphone to take this approach, with their MW75 model that debuted in June. The combination of leather, aluminum and glasses that are tempered make them look classy. The MW75 has several ANC modes that can be adapted to various environments, and longer battery life.
Focal's first over-ear headphones are a different model with an open-back design. They also have large soundstages to complement their music-centric features. The default sound profile is deep in bass, with plenty of thump and a punch to go with EDM and hip-hop. Vocals and instruments are a little veiled by the bass, but you can adjust the sound to your liking through the application's graphic EQ as well as presets. The devices can be used in USB-C mode with an audio cable that is wired to support high-resolution audio up to 24bit/192kHz.
Isolation
When choosing headphones for sound isolation, noise is a major consideration. The best headphones for separating the noise are closed-back, over-ear headphones that have large ear cushions. These models block the majority of outside sounds and offer a secure seal, which helps reduce background noises like voices or music. Some over-ear wireless headphones also feature active noise cancellation, which further enhances isolation by blocking out the sound from your surroundings without sacrificing audio quality.
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro wireless over-ear headphones have great sound isolation. They're light and provide excellent noise cancellation, making them an ideal choice for long listening sessions. They offer a balanced and natural sound quality, with a excellent bass and treble. They are perfect for studios and include a high-quality mic to make calls.
Another great option is the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. These headphones are made for comfort and have a swivel fitting and soft earpads that are covered in soft, luxurious fabrics. These headphones also feature a noise-canceling mic and are compatible with a variety of smartphones.
These headphones are designed to be an all-rounder and come with premium features that you won't find on lesser models. They include Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX support for improved transmission speeds and lower video delay. These are also waterproof and a great choice for your next outdoor adventure.
In addition to ANC, the Sennheiser HD 25 II offers an impressively high level of passive noise reduction, which cuts the ambient sound levels by 20 decibels. This is an incredible amount of reduction that makes it possible to enjoy your music even in noisy surroundings.
Over-ear headphones are also more comfortable than earbuds. While each user will feel this differently, a lot of people find that earbuds can cause discomfort after extended listening sessions. Earbuds are also more likely to slip out of your ear, and they are frequently covered in ear wax. Over-ear headphones, on the other side, are less likely to cause hearing damage and are more close to your eardrums.
Portability
Over-ear headphones are more comfortable for prolonged durations of time due to the fact that they feature large ear cups. The design of the over-ear can also help isolate you from the world, making them an ideal choice for long flights. Over-ear headphones are typically larger, and provide higher quality sound. They also have larger drivers and a greater frequency range.
Headphones come in various styles, sizes and price points to suit different needs and budgets. The cheapest headphones are usually connected with wires and an ordinary 3.5mm port, while more premium models feature bluetooth connectivity and a USB DAC to allow hi-res audio playback and extra features such as noise cancellation.
There are also sports-specific over-ear headphones that come with washable or breathable earpads and tighter clamping force to keep them in place during intense exercise. For the most portable choice, opt for headphones that fold into a small case and can be easily tucked away in your bag or jacket pocket.
Some wireless headphones come with built-in microphones that let users to make calls from your phone or tablet, without having to remove the headphones. This is especially useful in noisy areas, where it can be difficult to hear the person on the other end of the line.
Over-ear headphones are an excellent choice for listening audiobooks and podcasts, as the earphones block out some ambient noise. This allows you to listen while reading or relaxing at home.
In our tests, we found the most reliable pair of wireless over-ear headphones to be the Focal Bathys Wireless. They're designed for those who love music. They come with an accompanying app that comes with an EQ graphic and presets to alter the sound profile. They use an aptX adaptive codec to stream high-resolution music using apps such as Tidal.
On the flip side, some over-ear headphones are heavy and require some thought before packing them away, particularly in a suitcase or backpack. However their weight and size are a compromise for better comfort and superior audio quality that's not available through headphones.
Battery Life
The top headphones for over-ears offer long battery lives. Batteries last longer since they don't have to work as hard in order to keep your ears warm. These are ideal for listening on the go when you travel or commute.
These headphones are an excellent choice for students and office workers who need to concentrate on their work. The Marshall Major IIIs are lightweight and comfortable to wear. They offer up to 44 hours of continuous playback on one charge. They also offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity that allows you to pair with multiple devices at once and physical buttons to control the device on board.
The Sony WH1000XM5 Wireless Headphones that are over-ear Bluetooth headphones are among the top-rated. The headphones come with a charging case that allows for up to 60 hours playing back. They can also be used to make calls hands-free thanks to the built-in microphones. They come with intelligent active noise cancellation technology that automatically adjusts audio settings to suit the surroundings and can be activated at the push of the button. They also have an automatic hearing detection that best wireless headphones stops playback when you take off the headphones. They resume playback automatically when you put them back on.
Other over-ears that have a long battery life include the Focal's first Bluetooth headphones, the Bathys. These premium headphones are made to impress audiophiles with an audio stage that can transport you to a musical landscape. These headphones have a wealth of features and a sophisticated system for noise cancellation. They can also last up to 34 hours on an all-day battery.
Over-ears also provide better listening time than on-ears because of their larger earcups, which can accommodate larger batteries. Some budget models offer up to 95 hours of playback time on a single charge (Edifier W830BT), which is more than double what you get from the best on-ear headphones.
Over-ear Bluetooth headphones are the best choice for audiophiles who are looking for a pair of durable, premium headphones that last for years. Because they are positioned 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.