7 Secrets About Over-Ear Headphones That Nobody Will Tell You

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones typically provide better battery longevity than earbuds. They also provide superior noise cancellation.

Sony's WH1000XM5s lead the pack for wireless headphones over-ear. They sound fantastic with a deep, bass-heavy sound quality that allows vocals and instruments to shine. With active noise cancellation (ANC) in place the device, they can last for more than 40 hours on a single charge.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys Wireless are an audiophile-grade entry point into the huge, premium, travel-focused Bluetooth headphone market, which has been dominating by Bose and Sony products. However, with a track record of crafting the best high-fidelity loudspeakers, Focal couldn't simply scale down to compete in this competitive space. It decided to develop its own earbuds that had built-in ANC made of the same amplifiers, transducers and other components that are in its flagship products.

The result is an earbud that not only is top-of-the-line in performance but also feels luxurious and sturdy. Focal reduced the size and weight from its premium headphones to make these portable headphones more comfortable for travel however, they still use magnesium for the yokes, which keeps them light. The design is sleek and stylish with an elongated, "skeletonised", design similar to Focal's premium Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are located on the sides of the headphones and actually glow.

When paired with your device, they run with the latest Bluetooth v5.1 technology that supports for SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive and an inbuilt DAC that can support up to 24 bits/192kHz playback. The ear over ear headphones cups can be folded flat for over-the-ear headphones easy storage. The cable can also be dismantled to use with devices without Bluetooth, such as many cell phones.

The headphones can also be used in DAC-mode which bypasses internal processing to provide higher quality sound than Bluetooth headphones that have DACs built-in. Focal declined to reveal the specific DAC they used, but when tested with a high-quality portable DAC/headphone amp, the Bathys delivered great results--including better-than-CD-quality resolution, tight bass, and an open, airy midrange.

The Focal Bathys are made to be utilized on planes as well as in other noisy environments, but the DAC mode makes them suitable for more critical listening. Most portable headphones are closed back and tuned to boost bass, but the Bathys offer an unbalanced, neutral sound that is well-suited to rock and other genres without being overly loud. These headphones would be a perfect gift for the audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune-760NC is a lightweight, comfortable pair of headphones that have active noise cancellation. They feature a bass profile that gives your audio depth, and an extended battery life. They're designed to last, which makes them perfect for use on commutes and trips. However their snug fit could make uncomfortable for long listening sessions.

The headphones come with a set of controls that you can use to control the music and your call settings. They have buttons for volume up down, power and ANC off and on. The buttons are surrounded by a small section that is lit by an LED that you can tap on it to switch the headphone's light display. The headphones are well-padded and have a good fit, but they can be uncomfortable for people who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation Technology blocks ambient sound by analyzing and understanding the sounds coming from outside the headphone. It then inverts these sounds and blocks them out, resulting a quieter listening environment. This allows you to listen at lower volumes and avoid the ear fatigue. The headphones also have an audio jack that lets you make hands-free calls and activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with a majority of Bluetooth devices, including your laptop and mobile phones. These headphones are compatible with the majority of PS4 and Xbox One Controllers for receiving audio however they are not able to communicate with teammates. They also have a USB port for charging and listening to audio from your PC.

The JBLs 760NCs feature a foldable, compact design that makes it easy to pack. They're equipped with built-in batteries that can last for up to 40 hours of continuous usage, and they're equipped with noise cancellation technology that blocks out distractions. They also have the ability to connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, so you can go from watching an online video on your tablet and then taking an incoming call on your phone without missing a beat.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 is a pair of headphones on-ear that deliver what people want from on-ear Bluetooth over-the-ear headphones (Recommended Looking at). They come at a reasonable price, feature a long-lasting battery, aux cable backup, and provide peace of mind due to Tile-finding technology. It also features an easy set of controls on the earcups and connects to both wired and wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones include an app companion that lets you customize your listening experience. It also allows users to minimize the delay of video and audio when used with smart TVs or computers, and also set up a multi-device pair.

The headphones are extremely comfortable and have a padded headband. They are designed for travel and commute. They can fold up for easy storage in bags or backpacks. They have a plasticky build quality, but they are quite sturdy and have a solid click when you move or flex them. Noise cancellation may be an issue for some people, however they do block some of the low rumble from busses and chatter of passengers.

The headphones are of decent sound quality, particularly considering their price. They don't have luscious midranges as some of the more expensive headphones however they have good overall detail at most volumes. The bass is strong and punchy, and the highs are a little rolled off but not strident. They're great for rock and pop, but they may not be the best option for genres that have deep, full bass.

Comparing to the previous version of these headphones the Riff Wireless 2 have more features. They have a neutral sound profile that could be appealing to some people and a superior mic performance and support multi-device pairing. They also have higher volume and have a longer battery life.

The headphones are great, but they don't offer the same level of comfort like other Skullcandy products such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. These headphones are an option for most users but they're not the most suitable for use in a gym or on a run. They may lose their elasticity when performing intense exercises.

Razer Opus

The Opus is Razer’s first attempt at making a high-quality, lifestyle headphone. It's a fantastic product. Its target market is likely to be much broader than gamers and it comes with a premium sound that is comparable to the top models from Sony and Bose at a reasonable price.

The design is somewhat sluggish even by Razer's standards. There's no RGB lighting or trademark green accents. Additionally, the Tri-Snake isn't apparent. The headset is more like any other Bluetooth headphone, with semicircle swivel hinges that fold flat and slide on top of the earcups to create an adjustable, comfortable headband. The headsets are lightweight and more portable than other gaming headphones, and weigh just 265g when folded.

On the right earcup are onboard controls. Controls for track and power buttons are close to a multi-function button in the earcup that doubles as a noise-cancellation switch. The controls are easy to use and responsive, and they functioned as advertised in my testing.

The Opus bass is powerful and well-rounded, with depth and clarity that you won't find in a lot of budget headphones. The sound isn't as full-bodied as Bose's Extra Bass, but it's still above expectations for a price of $200. Vocals and lead instruments are heard with good clarity. The mids are also solid. I did notice a small lack of clarity in the highs, but switching the EQ to Vocal solved the issue.

In addition, you'll find a 3.5mm analog cable and USB-C-to-A adapter in the carrying case, along with an audio jack for airplanes that is standard for those that haven't yet made the switch to all-cable audio. It's a small but welcome addition that makes it easier to use the headphones while traveling.

As with other THX-certified products such as the Opus did a great job in my tests. I was able to stroll around town without having to raise the volume to block out the background noise, and I never felt that I needed to turn my music up to hear it. This is the type of sound quality that can help you keep your hearing intact from excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.