Who Is Over-Ear Headphones And Why You Should Take A Look
Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones usually have more battery life than earbuds. They also provide superior noise cancellation.
Sony's WH1000XM5s lead the pack for wireless headphones that fit over the ear. They sound great with a rich, bass-heavy audio profile that allows vocals as well as instruments to shine. With active noise cancellation (ANC) in place the device, they can last for more than 40 hours with a single charge.
Focal Bathys Wireless
The Focal Bathys Wireless are an audiophile-grade entry into the growing premium travel-focused Bluetooth headphone market, which has been dominating by Bose and Sony products. Focal's reputation for producing the best high-fidelity speakers meant that it wasn't able to cut back to compete. So it opted to build its own set of earbuds, which have built-in ANC, using the same transducers and amplifiers that are found in its flagship products.
The result is an earbud that offers top-notch performance but also feels luxurious and robust. Focal reduced the size and weight of its more upmarket headphones to make these portable headphones more suitable for travel and still use magnesium for the yokes to keep them lightweight. The design is sleek and elegant with a circular "skeletonised" design reminiscent of the company's full-sized, high-end Focal Celestee, as well as LED backlit Focal "flame" logos on the sides of each headphone that actually glow (you can turn off this feature on the app that comes with it).
The ear cups fold flat for convenient storage, and the cable can be detached to use with other devices that lack Bluetooth like many cell phones. The earcups can be folded flat for convenient storage. The cable can also be dismantled to use with devices without Bluetooth like a lot of 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 built-in DACs. 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 specifically designed to be used on planes and in other noisy environments however, the DAC mode makes them ideal for more focused listening. The majority of portable headphones are closed-back and tuned for boosted bass, but the Bathys offer an even, neutral sound that's well suited to rock and other genres without getting overly boomy. These headphones would make a great gift for the audiophile on your list.
JBL Tune 760NC
The JBL Tune-760NC is a lightweight, comfortable pair of headphones with active noise cancellation. They feature a rich bass profile that enhances your music. They also have long battery life for listening sessions. ear over ear headphones have a sturdy design that is perfect for commutes and travel however they can be uncomfortable for long listening sessions due to their tight fit.
The headphones come with a set of buttons that you can use to control the music and your call settings. The headphones come with buttons to control volume levels up and down and power, ANC, and the similar. The buttons are surrounded by a tiny section that has an LED, and you can tap it to alter the headphone's lighting display. The headphones have a good fit and are padded, however they do not sit well on your head and might be uncomfortable for those who wear glasses.
JBL's Active Noise Cancellation technology reduces ambient noise by analysing and interpret the sounds coming from outside of the headphone. Then, it inverts these sounds and blocks them out, creating a quieter listening space. This lets you listen at lower volumes and reduce fatigued ears. The headphones have a built-in microphone that lets you make calls hands-free and activate voice assistants.
These headphones are compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth devices such as your computer and most 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 other players. They also have a USB port for charging and listening to audio on your PC.
The JBLs 760NCs have an easy-to-fold, compact design that makes them easy to pack. The JBL 760NCs have a built in battery which can last for 40 hours continuously and come with noise cancellation technology to block out noises that distract you. They can also be connected to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, so you can go from watching a video on your tablet and then taking a call on your phone without a pause.
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 is a pair of headphones on-ear that provide the features people expect from on-ear Bluetooth headphones. They are priced at a reasonable cost, come with an extremely long-lasting battery, an aux cable backup, and provide peace of mind with Tile finding technology. It also comes with simple controls on the earcup and can connect to both wireless and wired devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with a great companion app that lets you alter the sound quality, reduce audio and video delay when connected to computers or a smart TV and set up multi-device pairing.
They have a padded band and are very comfortable. These headphones are designed to be used for commutes and travel. They can be folded into a compact size to fit into backpacks or bags. They have a plasticky build quality, but are fairly durable and provide a solid click when you move or bend them. They don't feature noise cancellation which can be a challenge for some users, but they do block out some of the rumble of buses and passenger chatter.
The sound quality of these headphones is quite good, especially considering their price. The midranges are not as luscious as some of the more expensive headphones but they do have decent detail at all volume levels. The bass is powerful and punchy, while the highs are a little dispersed but aren't too loud. They're great for rock and pop but they may not be the best choice for genres with deep, full bass.
In comparison to the earlier version of these headphones the Riff Wireless 2 has more features. They have a neutral sound profile, which may appeal to some users. They also have better microphone performance and support several devices. They also have an increased volume and have longer battery lives.
They're an excellent pair of headphones, but do not offer the same level of comfort as other Skullcandy models, such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're an excellent choice for the majority of users but they're not the best choice for those who exercise. They can lose their elasticity when performing intense exercises.
Razer Opus
The Opus is Razer’s first attempt to create a headphone that is a lifestyle. It's a fantastic product. Its target market is likely to be a lot more diverse than the gamers market and offers a quality that's comparable to top-of-the-line models from Sony and Bose for an affordable price.
The design is more restrained than Razer standards: no RGB lighting or signature green accents and the Tri-Snake logo isn't to be seen. The headset is, in fact, like any other Bluetooth headphones, with semicircle hinges that swivel and fold flat on top of the earcups, creating an incredibly comfortable headband. The headsets are also smaller and lighter than most gaming headphones, weighing only 265g when folded.
On the right earcup are onboard controls. The power and track control buttons are close to a multi-function button which is recessed into it and doubles as a noise cancelling button. The controls were simple to use. They functioned as advertised during my testing.
The Opus bass is powerful and well-rounded, offering depth and clarity you won't find in many budget headphones. The sound is not as rich as Bose's Extra Bass, but it's nonetheless above expectations for a price of $200. The mids are a solid sound and vocals and the lead instruments be heard with good clarity. I did notice a slight lack of clarity in the highs, however switching the EQ to Vocal resolved the issue.
In the case, you'll also find 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 yet made the switch yet. It's a tiny, but welcome addition to make it easier to use headphones while traveling.
The Opus performed admirably and was just like other THX certified products. I could walk around town with ANC turned on without the need to increase volume to overcome ambient noise, and I never felt the need to play my music at a higher volume to hear it. This is the kind of quality that can help you avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.