What Over-Ear Headphones Wireless Experts Want You To Know

Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds

Over-ear headphones create a physical barrier to external sounds by encapsulating your ears. The most effective models feature massive soundstages, and audiophile features.

Over-ear headphones are usually more bulkier and larger than earbuds, but many fold up and come with a carrying case to make it easier to carry. They can provide longer battery life and superior noise cancellation.

Sound Quality

While the earbuds are excellent for portability and ease of use, over-ear headphones offer superior sound quality and often come with noise cancelling technology which allows them to be used on public transport or in the office. For many this is a huge issue and over-ear headphones are the preferred option.

The larger design of over-ear headphones allows them to have much bigger drivers than earbuds. This results in a better sound quality and audio reproduction. This is especially true for the lower frequencies, where over-ear headphones tend to have more rich and powerful bass than earbuds.

Over-ear headphones block out the outside noises, creating an immersive experience. The soundproofing of headphones can be enhanced using active noise cancellation that emits reversed noise that reduces external noise. Many wireless headphones that have ANC come with multiple modes that allow you to select the level of volume you desire.

The open-back design is a different feature that distinguishes over-ear headphones from earbuds. The sound can out of the ear cups and interact with the environment and enhance immersion. It's not something you'll find in every pair of over-ear headphones, but those that do provide a larger and more expansive soundstage to let you enjoy your music.

Master & Dynamic headphones are the most recent over-ear wireless bluetooth headphones to adopt this approach, with their model MW75 that was launched in June. Aluminum, leather and glasses with tempered lenses provide a stylish appearance. The MW75 comes with various ANC modes that can be adjusted to different environments, as well as a longer battery life.

Focal's debut over-ear headphones are another set which feature an open-back design. They also have large soundstages to complement their music-centric features. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy mix that has plenty thump, punch and thump to complement EDM and hip hop. Vocals and instruments are a little veiled by the bass, however you can alter the sound to your liking via the companion app's graphic EQ and presets. It is also possible to use them with a wired connection in USB-C mode, which can support high-res audio up to 24bit/192kHz.

Isolation

When selecting headphones the sound isolation is a crucial factor. The best headphones for noise isolation are closed-back, over-ear headphones with large ear cushions that can properly wrap around the ears. These models block out the majority of outside sound and offer a secure seal, which helps reduce the sound of ambient sounds such as music or voices. Some wireless headphones come with active noise cancellation, which improves isolation further by removing any sound from your environment without compromising sound quality.

The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro wireless over-ear headphones provide great sound isolation. They're light and provide excellent noise cancellation which makes them a great choice for listening to long periods of time. They provide a balanced and natural sound that has good bass and high-frequency. These headphones are ideal for studios and include an excellent microphone for calls.

Another option is the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. These headphones are designed to be comfortable, featuring a pliable fit and soft ear pads which are covered with soft fabric. These headphones also feature an earpiece that can be used as a noise cancelling microphone and are compatible with many smartphones.

They're designed to be a true all-rounder, offering premium features that aren't available on cheaper headphone models. These include Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX support for improved speed of transmission and less video delay. They are also waterproof and a great choice for your next outdoor cheapest adventure.

The Sennheiser HD 25 II also provides a high degree of passive sound reduction, reducing ambient noise levels by 20 decibels. This is an incredible amount of reduction, making it possible to enjoy your favorite songs even in noisy surroundings.

Over-ear headphones are also more comfortable than earbuds. While every user will be different, many users find that earbuds cause discomfort during long listening sessions. Earbuds are also more prone to slip out of your ears, and they often get covered in ear wax. In contrast, headphones that are over-ear are less likely to cause this issue and are more positioned to your eardrums. This reduces the risk of damage to your hearing.

Portability

Over-ear headphones have large ear cups that cover your ears, making them more comfortable to wear for longer durations. The design of the over-ear headphones also helps isolate you from the world which makes them a good choice for commutes and long flights. The larger earcups in over-ear headphones usually permit them to provide the best audio quality, with larger drivers and a greater frequency range than earbuds.

Headphones come in different styles, sizes and price points. They can be customized to fit your budget and requirements. The cheapest headphones are usually connected by wire and via a standard 3.5mm port, whereas 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 even sports-specific over-ear headphones that feature sweat-proof or washable earpads as well as tighter clamping force to keep them in place even during intense exercise. Look for headphones that fold into a compact bag and then tucked away in your bag or jacket.

Some wireless headphones include microphones, allowing you to make calls on your phone or tablet without removing the headphones. This is particularly useful in noisy areas where it may be difficult to hear the other person.

Over-ear headphones are an ideal choice for listening to audiobooks and podcasts because the earphones block out any background noise, meaning they are easier to hear while you read or lounge at your home.

In our tests, we found the best pair of wireless headphones over-ear to be the Focal Bathys Wireless. They are designed for those who love music and come with an app companion to the headphones that includes a graphic EQ and presets that allow you to personalize the sound profile. They employ an aptX adaptive codec to stream high-resolution music using apps like Tidal.

Some over-ear blutooth headphones are bulky, and fitting them in luggage or in a backpack is a major challenge. However, their size and weight can be a sacrifice for greater comfort and superior audio quality that isn't available with earbuds.

Battery Life

The best over-ear headphones have long battery life. Batteries last longer because they don't need to be as active to keep your ears warm. Over-ears are perfect to listen while on the move whether you're traveling or commuting.

They are also a good choice for office workers and students who need to remain focused on their tasks. The Marshall Major IIIs are lightweight comfortable to wear and provide up to 44 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. They also provide Bluetooth multipoint connectivity to pair with multiple devices simultaneously, and physical buttons for on-board control.

The Sony WH1000XM5 Wireless Headphones which are over-ear Bluetooth headphones, are among the best-rated. The headphones come with a charging case that allows up to 60 hours of playing back. They can also be used to make calls hands-free thanks to the built-in microphones. They feature smart active noise cancelling technology, which automatically applies personalized sound settings to fit the surroundings and is activated by the touch of a button. Automatic ear detection pauses the playback when you remove them and resumes it automatically when you put back on.

Other over-ears with impressive battery life include the Focal's first Bluetooth headphones that are the Bathys. These premium headphones are made to impress audiophiles, with a soundstage that can fully transport you to a sonic landscape. These headphones come with a variety of features and a sophisticated system for noise cancellation. They can also last for up to 34 hours with the full battery.

Over-ears can also provide more listening time compared to on-ears because of their larger earcups, which can hold larger batteries. Certain budget models provide up to 95 hours of playback time on a single charge (Edifier W830BT), which is more than double the amount you can get from the best on-ear headphones.

In the end it is no wonder that over-ear Bluetooth headphones are the ideal option for audiophiles looking for an expensive, reliable pair that can last them for many years to come. They are also less likely to damage your hearing than in-ear headphones, because they are further from your eardrums. According to the British Hearing Foundation, over-ear headphones are twice as safe for long listening sessions as in-ear headphones.