Headphones Over the Ear

Headphones over the ear, also called circumaural headphones are designed to surround your ears with foam or similar padding. They are typically used to block out ambient noise, and many feature active noise cancellation that makes your listening sessions even more immersive.

The quality of the sound produced by headphones is the most crucial feature. What exactly is it that affects it?

Comfort

When looking for headphones the first thing most people focus on is audio quality. But they forget about how comfortable the headphones are to wear. This is important because no matter how great the headphones sound, they won't be able to remain on your head for extended periods of time if they're not comfortable.

To find headphones that are both comfortable to wear and possess the features you need choose a pair that are constructed with top-quality materials and have a thick padding on the headband and the ear pads. The pads should be designed to fit the contours of your ear, and they should not be too tight or too loose. You should also ensure that the headphones are light in weight, so that they don't cause neck and head fatigue over long durations of time.

Over-ear headphones are generally more comfortable than other types of headphone because they feature larger earcups that fully encompass the ears. The larger ear cups provide more padding and a more large sound. Many of the top over-ear headphones come with active noise cancellation, which helps to cut down on background noise and block out your podcasts or music.

Another factor to consider when shopping for headphones is whether or not they are Bluetooth-compatible. This is a crucial feature since it lets you wirelessly connect your headphones to an electronic device, or portable media player. Bluetooth headphones typically include voice assistants that allow you to control music or other apps from your phone or tablet.

Bowers & Wilkins' Px7 S2 Bluetooth over-ear headphones are the best Bluetooth headphones we can recommend. They feature 40mm drivers and offer six-microphone active noise-cancelation to ensure that your music always gets the top spot over ambient sound. The headphones come with an application that lets you personalize your audio experience. They also support multi-device pairing. And they're incredibly comfortable to wear thanks to the V-shaped sound profile which increases bass and makes vocals and the lead instruments stand out.

Sound

Over-ear headphones (also called circumaural headphones) come with large ear cups that completely surround your ears. These headphones are comfortable to wear for a long period of time due to the fact that they can be padded with a soft padding.

The huge dimensions of these headphones also allows them to provide high-quality sound. They typically have larger drivers and can reproduce sound across the entire frequency range with a wide dynamic range, ranging from deep bass to high-pitched treble notes. The ear pads also create an ear-sealing seal, blocking out ambient sounds and allowing you to enjoy a full audio experience.

Some of the leading manufacturers of headphone have produced over-ear headphones that offer high-quality audio experience. Sony's WH1000XM4 headphone, for example, have touch sensors that respond to your voice and allow you to control music and make calls without hands. They also can automatically adjust audio settings for optimal listening in accordance with your environment thanks to smart sensors.

Another fantastic pair of headphones for over-ear use is the Focal PX8s. These premium headphones are the ultimate audiophile's dream. The Focals feature a mix-booth sound with a neutral, open and wide soundstage. They can be adjusted to your preference with a companion app's graphic EQ and presets. The Focals can also be being used as an high-end audiophile headphone DAC with support for high-resolution audio via USB-C.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a lightweight model that offers the same great audio performance. These wireless over-ear headphones are one of the best options for acoustic separation and they're designed to be lightweight. With their incredibly light design they Bose headphones don't feel like they're even on your head and they're also extremely comfortable for long periods of time.

On-ear headphones are an excellent choice if you're a fan of the immersive audio experience that headphones on the ear offer. However, they tend to leak a fair amount of sound, which may be a problem for some listeners. They're not as comfortable as over-ear headphones, and may be uncomfortable for people who lead a vigorous lifestyle.

Noise Cancellation

A pair of headphones that block out the noises around you can help you focus in a noisy workplace or on a plane or just focus on your music. The top headphones for over-ear use come with active noise cancellation, which electronically or digitally blocks out the sounds of your surroundings with inverted frequencies, which results in a more peaceful listening experience. Certain ANC headphones allow you to let external sounds through, which may be beneficial if you're in traffic-heavy areas or just need to hear what people around you are talking about.

Over-ear headphones with passive noise isolation are more effective than earbuds since they create a seal around the ear which blocks out any external sound. Certain ANC headphone models also have additional padding that makes them even more comfortable for long listening sessions. Over-ear headphones are generally heavier than earbuds, and could require more thought when carrying or storing them. They are also more expensive and some of them are larger than earbuds. This could make them uncomfortable for certain people to wear or bulky in their ears.

ANC can be turned on manually or automatically. Some of the best models automatically adjust to the ambient level as you move about and switch between indoors and outdoors. They can also be programmed to block certain frequencies or adjust the bass mid and high EQ levels to your preferred listening style. The majority of over-ear ANC headsets have companion applications that let you modify these settings. This is helpful in case you don't like the default sound profile.

Noise cancellation can enhance your music listening experience, but won't protect you from hearing damage caused by loud music or noise. When using ANC it's a good idea to take frequent breaks from your music and not listen at excessive volumes. As a general rule you shouldn't listen to your audio or podcasts at greater than 80 percent of maximum volume.

Battery Life

A good pair of over-ear headphones are expected to last you all day without the need to recharge or a power outlet. The best headphones last between 20 and 60 minutes before they require to be recharged, even if they have the noise cancellation feature on.

The Bang & Olufsen HX500s have a powerful battery which can provide up to 35 hours of uninterrupted audio playback and Headphones Over the Ear have active noise cancellation enabled. This is great for long flights or when you want to block the noise of jet engines or chattering passengers. The HX500s also have superior Bluetooth performance using high-end codecs that ensure a perfect wireless connectivity and stability. The earpads and headband provide the user with a comfortable experience for long-term use and the controls and interface are easy to use and easy to operate.

Sennheiser's fourth-gen noise cancelling headphones offer high-quality sound right out of the box, and are packed with audio features that let you adjust the sound to suit your preferences. They're elegant in appearance and feel, too with a blend of leather and aluminum on the ears and the band wraps around your head. They have the best quick charge technology. 5 minutes of charging provides four hours of listening.

These headphones are designed to be used for serious workouts and are built to withstand the abuse you may inflict on them during your daily workout routine. They feature a rugged design that's sweat-resistant and can resist the force of falling from a jog, while the ears are cushioned with a protein-rich leather lining for extra comfort. The JBL UA Project Rock Over-Ear Training Headphones also feature the JBL app that lets you personalize the sound with presets like one tuned by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson that's designed to crush workouts.

The Master & Dynamic MW75s have an exclusive style that draws inspiration from gaming headsets and also offer high-quality audio and impressive ANC performance. They feature closed-back designs that don't give you the wide, open soundstage that many listeners enjoy, but they are ideal for mobile music and Headphones over the ear business travel. The audio quality is superb with a natural, balanced sound and a full bass. The MW75s also feature an excellent quick-attention mode that allows you to hear ambient sounds when you cover the right earcup by hand, and they're compatible with Alexa for hands-free voice control.