3 Ways The Over-Ear Headphones Will Influence Your Life

Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

Sony's WH1000XM5s are among the top over-ear headphones with wireless technology. They sound great with a rich, bass-heavy sound profile that allows vocals as well as instruments to shine. They can last for over 40 hours on a single charge with active noise cancellation (ANC) activated.

Focal Bathys wireless over the head headphones

The Focal Bathys wireless are a high-end audiophile entry into the booming premium Bluetooth headphone category, which has been dominated for years by Bose. However, with a track record of crafting the best over ear sound cancelling headphones high-fidelity loudspeakers, Focal couldn't simply scale down to compete in this highly competitive space. Therefore, it decided to create its own set of earbuds that incorporate ANC made with the same amplifiers and transducers that are used in its flagship products.

The result is a pair headphones that not only provide top-notch performance, but also feel luxurious and durable. Focal reduced the size and weight of its higher-end headphones to make them more compact but still utilizing magnesium for the yokes. The look is sleek and stylish with the circular "skeletonised" design reminiscent of the company's premium, full-sized Focal Celestee as well as LED backlit Focal "flame" logos on the sides of each earphone, which actually glow (you can turn off this feature on the accompanying app).

When connected to your device, they run with the latest Bluetooth v5.1 technology, which includes support for SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive, and a built-in DAC that supports up to 24-bit/192kHz playback. The ear cups can be folded flat for convenient storage. The cable can also be detached to be used with devices that do not have Bluetooth, such as many cell phones.

For audio enthusiasts who really know their stuff The headphones can be used in DAC mode, which disables internal processing and provides higher quality sound than most Bluetooth headphones with a built-in DAC. Focal declined to reveal the specific DAC they used, but when tested with a high-quality portable DAC/headphone amp, the Bathys delivered great over ear headphones results--including better-than-CD-quality resolution, tight bass, and an open, airy midrange.

The Focal Bathys are made to be utilized on planes as well as in other noisy environments however, the DAC mode also makes them ideal for more attentive listening. Most portable headphones are closed-back and tuned to boost bass, but the Bathys deliver a neutral, balanced sound that's perfect for rock and other popular genres without being overly loud. A pair of these would be a wonderful present for the audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune 760NC is a lightweight and comfortable pair of beats overhead headphones with active noise cancellation. They have a bass profile that gives your music depth and an extended battery life. They are designed to last, making them perfect for commutes and travel. However, their tight fit can make uncomfortable for long listening sessions.

The headphones come with a good set of controls on the ear cups that allow you to control your music as well as call settings. The headphones come with buttons to adjust the volume up and down as well as power, ANC, and the like. The buttons are surrounded by a tiny section that has an LED and you can tap it to alter the headphone's light display. The headphones are well-padded and have a good fit however, they can be uncomfortable for those who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation Technology reduces ambient sound by analyzing and understanding the sounds coming from outside the headphone. It then inverts those sounds and blocks them out, resulting in an experience that is more peaceful. This lets you listen to music at lower volumes and reduce fatigued ears. The headphones also come with an audio jack that lets you make calls hands-free and also activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with the majority of Bluetooth devices including your computer and mobile phones. These headphones work with the majority of PS4 and Xbox One Controllers for receiving audio however they are not able to communicate with your teammates. They also have a USB port for charging and listening to audio from your computer.

The JBLs 760NCs come with a foldable, compact design that makes them easy to carry around. The JBL 760NCs come with an inbuilt battery which can last for 40 continuous hours, and are equipped with noise cancellation to block out noises that distract you. They can be connected to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously which means you don't need to wait for a second when switching from watching a film on your tablet to making a call.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair of in-ear Bluetooth headphones that deliver what users expect from Bluetooth headphones. They are priced at a reasonable cost, come with an extremely long-lasting battery, an additional cable backup, and offer peace of mind with the technology of finding tiles. It comes with a simple control set on the earcup, and is able to connect wired and Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with a fantastic companion app that lets you tweak your listening experience, reduce audio and video delay when paired with a smart television or computer and create multi-device pairing.

These headphones have a padded band and are very comfortable. They are made to be used to travel or commute and can fold up for easy storage in backpacks or bags. They are made of plastic and have a pliable quality but are fairly sturdy and have a strong click when you move or flex them. Noise cancellation could be an issue for some users but they do block some of the low rumble from busses and chatter of passengers.

The sound quality of these headphones is pretty decent, especially for their budget price. The midranges are not as lush as the more expensive models, but they are still able to provide good clarity at most volume levels. Their bass is powerful and has plenty of punch and the highs are slightly dispersed, but not overly so. They're great for rock and pop, but they may not be the best choice for genres that have deep, full bass.

Compared to the older version of these headphones the Riff Wireless 2 come with more features. They have a neutral sound profile that could appeal to some users and a superior mic performance and allow multi-device pairing. They also have a much longer battery life and can handle a higher volume.

They're an excellent pair of headphones, but don't have the same level of comfort as some other Skullcandy models, like the Hesh 3 Wireless. These headphones are an excellent choice for the majority of users, but they're not the most suitable for use in a gym or on a run. They can be prone to falling off during intense exercise.

Razer Opus

The Opus is Razer's first attempt at a headphone set that is designed for a lifestyle and it's a stunning one. Its target audience is likely to be a lot larger than the average consumer and has a quality that is comparable to top-of-the-line models from Sony and Bose at a price that is affordable.

The design is a bit restricted by Razer standards: there's no RGB lighting or signature green accents as well as the Tri-Snake logo is not to be seen. The headset is a lot like any other Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones headset, with semicircle swivel hinges that fold flat and pivot on top of the earcups, creating a comfortable, adjustable headband. The headsets are lightweight and more portable than other gaming headphones, with a weight of just 265g when folded.

Onboard controls are located on the right earcup, with track and power buttons, as well as a recessed multi-function button that doubles as an active noise-cancellation button. The controls are easy to press and responsive and they functioned as advertised in my testing.

The Opus bass is a roaring and well-rounded, with a depth and clarity that you won't get in many budget headphones. It's not quite as full as the sound of Bose's Extra Bass headphones, but it's still better than expectations for the $200 price tag. The mids are solid and vocals and the lead instruments be heard with good clarity. I did notice a little veiledness in the highs however switching the EQ to Vocal solved the issue.

In the case that you carry, you'll also get a 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 tiny, but welcome addition to make it easier to use headphones when traveling.

The Opus performed admirably, just like other THX certified products. I was able to stroll through the city without having to increase the volume to overcome the background noise, and I never felt as if I had to turn my music up to hear it. This is the kind of quality that will help you avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.