Five Lessons You Can Learn From Over-Ear Headphones

Best over-ear noise cancelling headphones Headphones

Over-ear headphones generally have better battery life than earbuds. They also offer superior noise cancellation.

Sony's WH-1000XM5s are the top choice for over-ear wireless headphones. They sound great thanks to their deep, bass-heavy sound quality that allows vocals as well as instruments to shine. With active noise cancellation (ANC) on, they last over 40 hours on one charge.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys wireless are an audiophile-grade entry into the highly sought-after premium Bluetooth headphone segment, which has been for a long time dominated by Bose. Focal's reputation for producing the best high-fidelity speakers meant that it was unable to cut back to compete. It decided to develop its own earbuds that had built-in ANC using the same transducers, amplifiers and other components that are in its flagship products.

The result is a pair headphones that not only offer top-notch performance, but also feel luxurious and sturdy. Focal reduced the size and weight of its more expensive headphones to make them more compact and still use magnesium for the yokes. The design is sleek and stylish, with a the circular, "skeletonised", design similar to Focal's high-end Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are placed on the back of the headphones and actually glow.

When connected to your device, they operate with the latest Bluetooth v5.1 technology, which includes support for SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive and an integrated DAC that supports up to 24 bits/192kHz playback. The ear cups fold flat to make storage and the cord is detachable for use on other devices that lack Bluetooth like a lot of cell phones.

The headphones can also be used in DAC-mode which omits internal processing to produce better sound quality 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 were designed to be used on planes in noisy environments and other locations. However the DAC mode makes them ideal for listening with greater attention. The Bathys are an excellent alternative to closed-back headphones that are tuned for bass. These headphones would make a great gift for any audiophiles on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune 760NC are a lightweight and comfortable pair of headphones that feature active noise cancellation. They feature a rich bass profile that adds depth to your audio, and they have a long battery life for listening sessions. They also have a durable construction that is ideal for travel and commutes however they can be uncomfortable for long listening sessions due to their tight fit.

The headphones come with a set of controls that you can use to control the music and your call settings. The headphones have buttons to adjust the volume up and down as well as power, ANC, and the similar. The buttons are surrounded by an LED-like area and you can press it to alter the light display. The headphones are cushioned and have a good fit however, they can be uncomfortable for those who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation Technology reduces ambient sound by analyzing and interpreting noises coming from outside the headphone. It then reverses those sounds and cancels them out, resulting in a more tranquil listening experience. This allows you to listen at lower volumes and reduce the ear fatigue. The headphones also come with a microphone that lets you make calls hands-free and also activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with the majority of Bluetooth devices, including your computer and mobile phones. They also work with the majority of PS4 and Xbox One controllers to receive audio however you won't be able to use them to communicate with your co-workers. They also have an USB port for charging and listening to audio on your PC.

The JBL 760NCs are designed to be portable, with a compact foldable design that makes them easy to pack and take on the move. The JBL 760NCs feature a built in battery which can last for 40 continuous hours and also come with noise cancellation technology to block out any distracting sounds. They can be connected to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously which means you don't need to miss a beat when switching from watching a film on your tablet to making a phone call.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair of on-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer what people expect from Bluetooth headphones. They come with a low price point and a battery that lasts all day, an aux cable backup and peace of mind thanks to Tile technology for finding. It also has a simple set of controls on the earcups and connects to both wired and wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with a fantastic companion application that lets you modify your listening experience, decrease the delay in video and audio when paired with a smart tv or computer and create multi-device pairing.

The headphones are extremely comfortable and have a padded headband. They are made to be used for commutes and travel. They fold up to fit easily in bags or backpacks. They have a plasticky build quality but are fairly sturdy and have a solid click when you move or flex them. Noise cancellation may be a problem for some users but they do block some of the low rumble from buses and the chatter of passengers.

The sound quality of these headphones is pretty good, especially for their low cost. They don't have lush midranges like some more expensive headphones over-the-ear (sneak a peek at this site) but they do have decent overall clarity at most volume levels. Their bass is powerful and punchy, and the highs are slightly soft, but not a lot. They're perfect for rock and pop, but not for headphones Over-the-Ear genres that require deep, full bass.

In comparison to the earlier version of these headphones, the Riff Wireless 2 have more features. They have a neutral sound profile which might appeal to some users. They also have better microphone performance and support multiple devices. They also have a much longer battery life and can handle a higher volume.

These headphones are good, but they don't offer the same level of comfort as other Skullcandy products like the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're still a great choice for most people however they're not the best choice for those who are in active use, and they can lose their luster during intense workouts.

Razer Opus

The Opus is the first effort by Razer at creating a lifestyle headphone. It's a great product. Its intended audience is likely to be a lot larger than the average consumer and has a quality that is comparable to top-of-the-line models from Sony and Bose at a reasonable price.

The design is a bit restrained even by Razer's standards. There's no RGB lighting or trademark green accents. The Tri-Snake is not evident. Rather, the headset looks like any other Bluetooth headphones, sporting semicircle hinges that swivel and fold flat on the top of the earcups to form a comfortable headband. The headsets are lightweight and more portable than other gaming headphones, with a weight of just 265g when folded.

On the right earcup are the onboard controls. The power and track control buttons are located close to a multi-function button recessed into it that also doubles as a noise cancelling button. The controls were easy to use. They functioned as advertised during my testing.

The Opus bass is a roaring and well-rounded, with depth and clarity that you won't find in many budget headphones. The sound is not as rich as Bose's Extra Bass, Headphones over-the-ear but it's still above expectations for a $200 price tag. Vocals and lead instruments can be heard with a good clarity. The mids are also solid. I did notice a small veiledness to highs however, changing the EQ to the Vocal preset fixed the problem.

In the case, you'll also include an 3.5mm audio cable as well as a USB C-to-A converter, as well as a standard airplane audio plug for those who haven't made the switch yet. It's a small but welcome addition to make it easier to use headphones when traveling.

As with other THX-certified items, the Opus performed admirably in my tests. I was able walk around town without having to raise the volume to block out the background noise, and I never felt like I needed to turn my music up just to hear it. This is the kind of sound that will help you avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.