What to Look For in Over the Ear Headphones

There are a variety of headphones on the market and the one that's best for you will be determined by your preferences, requirements and listening habits. Over-the-ear headphones are well-known for their high-quality sound and noise cancellation.

They sit over your ears and block out any ambient audio better than headsets that rest on your ear, which can press down or become hot after prolonged listening sessions.

Noise Cancellation

A pair of high-quality Over the ear headphones beats-ear headphones will block you from the world around you a bit better than earbuds do and the majority of them use active noise cancellation to block out the sounds of the surrounding. The headphones employ microphones to listen for sounds around you and then digitally alter the frequency to block them out. It's a complex process but it works remarkably well. This can help you concentrate in a noisy workplace or get some rest during a train or plane journey and even block out the noise from the loud music of your neighbor.

In our tests we have found that over-ear headphones can be much more effective at blocking out outside noises than earbuds. They are the best option for commuters. They do leak higher-frequency sounds, especially at higher volume levels. This means you may need to turn your music up more than the case if you were using earbuds, but it's worth it for peace and peace.

The extra size of a pair of headphones over-ear also means that they have larger drivers, which will provide a wider frequency range than other styles of headphone. This is crucial If you're looking to purchase headphones that have high-quality bass, over-ear headphones are the way to go. In our current favorite the Sony WH-1000XM4 you can hear frequencies as low as 4Hz and up to 40kHz.

Some ANC headphones allow you to manually switch the noise-canceling feature off if you want to allow some external sound through, and some come with a 'transparency mode' that can be activated to accomplish this. If you plan to use the headphones for something other than music, look for features like an integrated microphone for hands-free calls as well as voice assistants (e.g. Apple's Siri or Amazon Alexa).

Most pairs of ANC headphones these days are wireless and feature Bluetooth connectivity, making them easy to pair with your phone and listen to music on the move. These wireless models are increasingly equipped with microphones that permit you to make calls and take part in video conferences.

Bass

Bass is an essential feature when it comes headphones. Whether it's a booming beat or a smooth melodies it helps us feel the music and over the ear headphones beats get into the zone. It also helps us keep up with the beat and rhythm of the music. This is why many headphones have an built-in audio equalizer, which can be used to alter the bass volume.

Over the ear headphones usually come with large drivers that produce a wider range of frequencies than smaller ones, particularly in the lower end where bass lives. This is why headphones that are over the ear headphones beats-ear typically have better bass than earbuds. The sound quality is also improved since they can block out more background noise, since the ear cups are sealed around your ears rather than sitting inside of them like earbuds do.

The ear cups are usually constructed of padded materials to ensure they are comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband is also padded as well to prevent stress on the ears and head. These features, along with the ergonomic design make over-ear headphones an excellent choice for people who listen often to music.

Generally speaking, over the ear headphones are more expensive than other types of headphones. They could be worth the cost when they feature the most recent technologies such as active noise cancellation or Bluetooth. If you're an audiophile, try a pair of headphones with premium components and high-resolution DAC mode that can play high-resolution music. There are also many great choices if you're willing spend less.

The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are the ultimate audiophile's dream, with a sleek aluminum design and Nappa leather, they are designed to bring mixing booth quality listening to your everyday. The Sivga Oriole over-ear headphones with a 1.8m cord and 50mm dynamic drivers are another outstanding example of value. They also come with a 3.5mm - 6.3 adapter, as well as an e-carry case made of hemp.

Comfort

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, cover the ears completely and cover a larger area of the skull. They also provide more comfort and suitable for long listening sessions. In addition, over-ear headphones are also able to provide better noise cancellation since they block out more ambient sound.

However comfort is a personal matter and will depend on how well the headphones fit. If the headband isn't tight enough it could place pressure on your earlobes, which can cause soreness or even pain. On the other hand, if the cups are too small, they could cause an irritation to your ear canal, or even piercings. The depth and size of the earcups is crucial as they can significantly alter your listening experience.

As opposed to in-ear headphones over-ear headphones typically have bigger drivers, which allows them to cover broader frequency ranges, particularly in the low end where bass is at its best. They also have more room to work in, which allows for larger and more powerful acoustic components, giving you a more immersive sound and fuller soundstage. Lastly, they are often lighter and come with more user-friendly features like automatic audio controls.

Over-ear headphones are heavier and more difficult to transport than on-ear or in-ear models. They also tend to get sweatier and hotter when worn for long periods of time. Over-ear headphones are becoming more mobile and come with features that make them comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

For example, some over-ear headphones have headphones that fold to smaller dimensions for easy storage and transportation. They also have a headband that is more flexible and can be adjusted to provide a more comfortable fit. Other features that allow over-ear headphones be more portable and practical include wireless connectivity and integrated microphones and smart assistant support and even built-in noise cancellation for hands-free calls. These make over-ear headphones an excellent option for commuters and business travellers.

Design

The design of over the ear headphones can affect the quality of sound. Larger ear cups may have larger soundstages and larger drivers could have more bass, but this is contingent on the model you choose. Open-back headphones offer a wider soundstage than closed-back models. Some premium headphones also feature advanced acoustics, with built-in sound processing to improve certain aspects of the sound, like frequency response and total harmonic distortion.

Most over-ear earphones are made of foam or a similar material to provide comfort. They are padded on the cups and the ear canals. This makes them comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. However, the size of your head can have an impact on how comfortable they are to wear. If you're planning to wear them with your cap or are looking for more flexibility, opt for an adjustable design. This lets you take the cups away from your ears.

A lot of over-ear headphones come with an active noise cancellation function that uses an audio microphone to detect ambient noise and then plays back frequencies to block those of the unwanted sounds. This functions in a similar way to how a door would block the noise of a room. Although there are a few on-ear headphones that support ANC but over-ear headphones typically offer greater active noise cancellation capabilities because their ear cups are large and create a more natural seal.

Certain headphones for over-ear use like the Focal Bathys Wireless, come with the default sound profile which tends towards high-end bass. This can give you a lot of bass to go with EDM and hip hop, but the vocals and instruments may get lost in the mix. The companion app offers an image EQ and presets that help you modify the sound profile to your liking.

If you're looking for a pair of over-ear headphones that offer the highest level of audio quality look into the Sennheiser HD 350BT Wireless Headphones - Foldable - Black Momentum 4 Wireless. They boast a staggering 60-hour battery life, a sophisticated adaptive noise cancellation system, and a powerful sound that will transport you into a musical world. They're more expensive than many headphones on the market, but their premium design and wide set of features make them well worth the money.