Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds
Over-ear headphones create a physical barrier to external sounds by encapsulating your ears. They also have a significant advantage in sound quality, with the top models featuring huge soundstages and audiophile-level features.
Over-ear headphones are usually more bulkier and larger than earbuds. However, they can fold down and come with a carry case for portability. They can offer longer battery life as well as superior noise cancellation.
Sound Quality
While headphones are excellent for portability and ease of use Over-ear headphones provide superior sound quality and typically come with noise cancelling technology which makes them perfect for listening in public transport or at the office. Over-ear headphones are the most popular choice for a lot of people as they provide the best sound quality and noise cancellation technology.
Over-ear headphones feature a bigger design, allowing them to have a much larger speaker than earbuds. This results in better sound reproduction and sound quality. This is especially true in the lower frequencies, which is why over-ear headphones tend to have a richer and more powerful bass than earbuds.
Over-ear headphones isolate you from background noises, resulting in a more immersive experience. The soundproofing of over-ear headphones can be enhanced by using active noise cancellation that emits reversed noise that reduces external noise. The majority of wireless headphones with ANC come with multiple modes that allow you to choose how loud or quiet you want to listen.
Another aspect that separates over-ear headphones from earbuds is their open-back design. This allows the audio to exit the ear cups and interact with the surroundings and enhance the immersion. It's not something that is found on every pair of headphones, but the ones that do have it tend to provide an expansive and spacious soundstage for 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. Their premium look is more than skin-deep with aluminum, leather and tempered glass to create a look that stands out in a crowd. The MW75 also has a variety of ANC modes that can be used to adapt to different environments and improved battery life.
Focal's new over-ear headphones are another set which feature an open-back design. They also have an expansive soundstage that complements their music-centric features. The default sound profile of these headphones is a thumping bass mix with plenty of thump, punch and thump that complement EDM and hip hop. The bass can drown out instruments and vocals, but the graphic EQ feature in the companion app lets you adjust the sound to your taste. It is also possible to use them via a wired connection in USB-C mode to allow high-res audio with up to 24bit/192kHz.
Isolation
Sound isolation is a crucial aspect to take into account when selecting headphones. The best headphones for separating the sound are closed-back headphones with big cushioning for the ear. They block out most external sounds and provide an encapsulated seal that blocks out ambient noises, such as music or voices. Some wireless over-ear headphones feature active noise cancellation that enhances isolation further by removing any sound from your surroundings without compromising audio quality.
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro wireless over-ear headphones offer excellent isolation from sound. They're light and provide excellent noise cancellation, making them an ideal choice for listening to long periods of time. They have a balanced and natural sound with good bass and high-frequency. The headphones are ideal for studios and come with a high-quality mic for calls.
The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II is another great option. They are designed to be comfortable, with an adjustable fit and soft earpads that are covered in soft fabric. These headphones also come with an earpiece that can be used as a noise cancelling microphone and are compatible with a variety of smartphones.
They're designed to be an all-rounder with features that aren't available on less expensive models. These include Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX for faster speeds of beats wireless in ear headphones 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 passive sound reduction, reducing ambient noise levels by 20 decibels. This is a significant reduction that lets you enjoy your music even in noisy surroundings.
Over-ear headphones also offer greater comfort than earbuds. Although every person will be different, many users report that earbuds cause discomfort after long listening sessions. Earbuds are also more likely to slip out of your ears, and are often covered in ear wax. In contrast, headphones that are over-ear are less likely to cause this problem and sit closer to your eardrums. This reduces the chance of hearing damage.
Portability
Over-ear headphones are more comfortable for prolonged durations of time due to the fact that they have large ear cups. The design of the over-ear headphones also helps isolate you from the world which makes them a good option for long commutes and flights. Over-ear headphones tend to be larger, and have a better audio quality. They also have bigger drivers and a greater frequency range.
Headphones are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and price points to meet different needs and budgets. Cheap headphones are usually wired and connected through a standard 3.5mm plug, whereas premium models come with Bluetooth connectivity, a USB-DAC for high-resolution audio playback, as well as additional features like noise cancellation.
There are even sports-specific over-ear headphones that feature comfortable earpads that can be washed or cooled and tighter clamping force to keep them in place during vigorous exercise. Find headphones that fold in a small bag and fit in your jacket or bag.
Certain wireless headphones for over-ear use come with built-in microphones that allow you to make calls using your phone or tablet without taking the headphones off. This is particularly useful in crowded places where it can be difficult to hear other people.
Over-ear headphones are also a good choice for listening audiobooks and podcasts, as the earphones block some ambient noise. This makes it easier to listen while reading or sitting at home.
In our tests, we discovered the best pair of wireless over-ear headphones to be the Focal Bathys Wireless. They are specifically designed for music lovers. The companion app has a graphic EQ as well as presets and a sound profile that can be altered. They use an aptX adaptive codec to stream high-resolution music with apps like Tidal.
Some over-ear headphones can be bulky, and packing them into the suitcase or backpack is a challenge. However their weight and size can be a sacrifice for greater comfort and superior audio quality that isn't available with headphones.
Battery Life
The top headphones for over-ears offer long battery lives. They do not have to work as hard to keep your ears cool, so their batteries can last longer than the ones in on-ears. Over-ears are perfect for listening in motion whether you're traveling or just commuting.
They are also a good choice for office workers and students who must stay focused on their assignments. The Marshall Major IIIs are light comfortable to wear and offer up to 44 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. They also feature Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect with multiple devices at once and physical buttons that allow on-board control.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones are among the top-rated over-ear Bluetooth headphones. They come with an adapter that recharges the case and provides up to 60 hours of playback, and can be used hands-free to make calls thanks to their built-in microphones. The headphones feature the latest technology for active noise cancellation that automatically adjusts the sound settings to the environment in which you are. You can turn it on with a single button. Automatic ear detection stops the playback when you take off them and then resumes it when you put back on.
Other over-ears with impressive battery life include the Focal's newest Bluetooth headphones The Bathys. These high-end headphones are designed to impress audiophiles, with a soundstage that will transport you to a musical landscape. They also come with a hefty feature set as well as a sophisticated noise cancelling system, and they can last for up to 34 hours on a single charge.
Over-ears also provide better listening time than on-ears because of their larger earcups that can house larger batteries. Some budget models can provide up to 95 hours of listening time on a single battery charge (EdifierW830BT), more than twice what you get with the best on-ear headphones.
In the end it is no wonder that over-ear Bluetooth headphones are the best option for audiophiles looking for a premium, reliable pair that can last them for years to come. They are also less likely to damage your hearing than in-ear headphones as they sit farther away from your eardrums. According to the British Hearing Foundation, over-ear headphones are twice as secure for long listening sessions than in-ear headphones.