Could Over-Ear Headphones Be The Key For 2023's Challenges?

Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones usually have more battery life than earbuds. They also offer superior noise cancellation.

Sony's WH-1000XM5s are the top choice for over-ear wireless headphones. They sound great with a bass-heavy, rich sound that allows vocals and other instruments to shine. They last for over the ear headphones with noise cancelling 40 hours on a single battery with active noise cancelling (ANC) activated.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys wireless are a premium audiophile entry into the booming premium Bluetooth headphone market, which has been dominated for a long time by Bose. However, with a track record of crafting the best high-fidelity loudspeakers, Focal couldn't simply scale down to compete in this competitive market. Therefore, it decided to design its own earbuds that incorporate ANC, using the same transducers and amplifiers that are found in its flagship products.

The result is an earbud that not only is top-of-the-line in performance but also feels luxurious and robust. Focal reduced the size and weight of its higher-end headphones to make them more compact and still use magnesium for the yokes. The design is sleek and stylish, with a a circular, "skeletonised", design similar to Focal's premium Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are placed on the side of the headphone and actually glow.

The earcups fold flat to make storage and the cable can be detached to use with other devices that do not have Bluetooth like many cell phones. The ear cups can be folded flat for simple storage. The cable can also be dismantled to be used with devices that don't have Bluetooth like a lot of cell phones.

The headphones can also be used in DAC-mode, which disables internal processing to produce higher quality sound than Bluetooth headphones with DACs built-in. 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 designed to be used on planes and in other noisy environments however, the DAC mode also allows for attentive listening. Most portable headphones are closed-back and tuned to boost bass but the Bathys offer a neutral, balanced sound that is well-suited to rock and other genres without being overly loud. They'd make a great present for best over ear headphones under 100 any audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune-760NC is a lightweight, comfortable pair of headphones that feature active noise cancellation. They offer a deep bass profile which adds depth to your audio, and they provide a long battery lifespan for listening sessions. They're designed to last, making them perfect for travel and commutes. However their snug fit could make uncomfortable for long listening sessions.

The headphones come with a good set of controls on the earcups which allow you to control your music and call settings. The headphones have buttons that control volume up and down, power, ANC, and the like. The buttons are surrounded by a small section of LED and you can tap it to change the light display. The headphones are cushioned and fit well however, they can be uncomfortable for people who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation Technology reduces ambient noise by analyzing and interpreting sounds coming from outside the headphone. Then, it inverts these sounds and blocks them out, creating a more peaceful listening space. This allows you to listen at lower volumes and reduce fatigued ears. The headphones come with a built-in microphone, which allows you to make calls hands-free and also activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with the majority of Bluetooth devices, including your laptop and mobile phones. They're also compatible with most PS4 and Xbox One controllers to receive audio however, you won't be able to make use of them to talk with your teammates. They also come with a USB port for charging and streaming audio from your PC.

The JBL 760NCs are designed to be compact, with a compact design that folds down, making them easy to carry on the move. They're equipped with an internal battery that can last for up to 40 hours of continuous use and are equipped with noise cancellation technology to block out any distractions. They can be connected to two Bluetooth devices at once which means you don't need to wait for a second when switching from watching a movie on your tablet to making a call.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair on-ear Bluetooth headphones that provide the features users expect from Bluetooth headphones. They provide a reasonable price with a long battery life that lasts all day as well as an aux cable backup and peace of mind with Tile technology for finding. It comes with a simple control set on the earcup and it can be connected to wired and wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with an app companion that lets you personalize your listening experience. It also lets you to reduce the delay of video and audio when used with smart TVs or computers, and also set up a multi-device pair.

The headphones are extremely comfortable and come with a cushioned headband. They are made to be used for travel and commute. They can fold up for easy storage in backpacks or bags. They are made of plastic and have a pliable quality, but are fairly durable and have a strong click when you move or flex them. Noise cancelling may be a problem for some users but they block a lot of the low rumbles that come from buses and the chatter of passengers.

The headphones are of decent sound quality, particularly given their low cost. The midranges are not as lush as the more expensive headphones, but they still have good detail at most volume levels. The bass is very powerful and punchy and the highs are slightly dispersed, but not overly so. They're great for rock and pop but might not be the best option for genres with full, deep bass.

The Riff Wireless 2 headphones come with more features than the previous version. They have a neutral sound profile that could appeal to some users as well as a more efficient microphone and support multi-device pairing. They also support an increased volume and have longer battery life.

They're good headphones, but they don't offer the same level comfort as other Skullcandy products like the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're an option for most users, but they're not the best over ear headphones under 100 for active use. They may be prone to falling off during intense exercise.

Razer Opus

The Opus is Razer's first attempt at a set of headphones for the lifestyle market and it's a stunning one. The market it is targeting is likely to be more diverse than the gamers market and offers a quality that's comparable to the top models from Sony and Bose for an affordable price.

The design is somewhat sluggish, even by Razer's standards. There is no RGB lighting, and there are no signature green accents. And the Tri-Snake isn't evident. Rather, the headset looks like any other Bluetooth headphones, with semicircle hinges that rotate and fold flat on top of the earcups, creating a comfortable headband. They're also more lightweight and portable than most gaming headsets, and weigh only 265g when folded.

Onboard controls can be found on the right earcup, with power and track control buttons as well as a recessed, multi-function button which doubles as an active noise-cancellation button. The controls are simple to press and responsive and they functioned as expected in my tests.

The Opus bass is a punchy, best over Ear headphones under 100 well-rounded sound that has clarity and depth that you won't find in many budget headphones. It's not as deep as the Bose Extra Bass headphones, but it's still better than expectations for the $200 price tag. Vocals and lead instruments are heard with a good clarity. The mids are also solid. I did notice a small lack of clarity in the highs, but switching the EQ to Vocal fixed the problem.

In the case, you'll also get an 3.5mm audio cable and USB C-to-A converter, as well as an airplane-style audio plug for those who haven't yet made the switch yet. It's a small but welcome feature that makes it easier to use the headphones when traveling.

The Opus performed admirably and was just like other THX certified products. I was able walk around town without having to raise the volume to block out ambient sound, and I never felt as if I needed to turn my music up just to hear it. This is the type of sound quality that can help you prevent hearing loss from excessive exposure to high-frequency frequency.