Headphones Over the Ear - What You Need to Know

The headphones that cover your ears completely offer better noise isolation than headphones that are on-ear and typically come with superior sound quality. They usually have advanced technologies like modern Bluetooth chips, Best Over ear headphones noise-cancelling audio codecs and large drivers (such as magnetic ones that are planar).

They also provide better comfort for long listening sessions and some feature active noise cancellation. They are typically more expensive than earbuds though.

Isolation

A good pair of headphones will protect your ears from outside noise and block it out. This is referred to as acoustic isolation, which is difficult to define on paper since manufacturers typically use vague numbers such as "30dB noise reduction."

Over-ear headphones are ideal for isolation as they cover all your ears. This makes them perfect for studying, commuting, or for working. They are also the most comfortable since they rest on top of your head instead of pressing into your sides of your ears.

On-ear headphones are also an excellent solution for people who prefer to have their headphones tucked away from audio. These are less bulky than headphones with over-ears and sit on your outer ears but allow a bit of sound to leak out from the ear cups, which some users find annoying. In general, they're still a great choice for those who want to enjoy a quiet audio without the extra weight of headphones that are over-ear.

Earbuds are the smallest type of headphone that sit in your ear canal which provides more isolation than headphones that are over-ear. However, they're not recommended for prolonged listening sessions as they could cause hearing damage if they are used at a high volume. They may also fall out of your ear, which is distracting for some.

Active noise cancelling headphones, also known as ANC, use built-in technology to block out ambient noises around you which can help with concentration and focus. The headphones function by using microphones to pick up ambient sounds and then inverting the waves to create silence. However, some sounds, like voices and acoustic instruments, may be heard.

Passive noise isolation headphones don't require batteries and are generally less expensive than ANC models. They aren't as effective however, and they can sometimes cause a hissing sound that some are uncomfortable with. Certain brands, such as bose over ear headphones collect acoustic data from their headsets, and share the information with a third party which some users find uncomfortable. It's possible to hide it in long service agreements or deep within the app's permissions. Be sure to check before purchasing. Other companies, like Sony and Sennheiser don't gather information from their headsets.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is important whether you're a serious music lover or just need to listen to audio content. The headphones that are worn over the ear tend to have superior sound quality than earbuds since they protect your ears more effectively and permit less ambient noise to enter which is beneficial for protecting your hearing. They also have larger drivers that are capable of delivering more spacious and clear sound.

These headphones typically come with padded earcups, made of materials like memory-foam, that cushion your head and ear for prolonged listening sessions. Most have adjustable headbands as well as collapsible or rotating joints for easy storage. Some are bulkier than earbuds, and are less portable. However they do have a collapsible bases that can be folded flat for transport.

Many of the headphones that are over-ear are wireless, and many come with active noise cancellation. This makes them ideal for listening in public transport or while at work. However, over-ear headphones without active noise cancellation can still be a good choice. They are comfortable, but don't over-press your ears too much and don't force you to increase the volume.

Depending on the model you select You may be likely to find headphones with distinctive style or color that appeals to you. One example is the I-MEGO Throne Gold, which features gold accents that make it stand out among the crowd. Other headphones for over-ears with distinctive designs include the Sivga Oriole, which have striking wooden ear cups.

Some over-ear headphones are purpose-built for studio use and feature a professional-grade build. They might not be trendy and can be pricier than other types of headphones, however they are made to be used for serious listening, with a focus on audio reproduction and durability.

Generally, over-ear headphones have deep and rich bass that is tuned for well-balanced playback. Low-mids are warm and smooth and high-mids are sharp and detailed. This allows vocals to cut through a mix, and instruments like guitars and synths to be distinct.

Comfort

Over-ear headphones are worn around or over your ears, unlike in-ear headphones, which are inserted into the ear canal. They are also more comfortable for long listening sessions than on-ear models. The ear cups are bigger and can accommodate more padding. A headband is usually placed on the top of your head to ease pressure on your ears and head.

Over-ear headphones also have bigger drivers due to the larger ear cups. This lets them reproduce sound with more clarity and detail. This is particularly true at the top and bottom where acoustic instruments like pianos and violins truly shine. They're also more likely to have active noise cancellation (ANC) built-in which helps to minimize the sound of the environment when you listen.

Some over-ear headphones have an integrated microphone that allows hands-free calls. They can be especially useful when you're on the go or working in a noisy environment. Some models feature sensors for the earcups so that you can easily control your music, apps and voice assistants. They are a great choice for mobile use. Some models even have built-in storage so you can fold up the ear cups into a bag that is compact when not in use.

On-ear headphones are thought to be the second best over ear headphones noise-cancelling (more resources) headphones for comfort and sound quality. They look a lot like over-ear headphones. They're slightly more comfortable than the over-ear models, however they still provide good sound isolation, especially when you're using an active noise cancelling model. They block out outside sounds better than over-ear headphones. However, some outside noise may still leak through the ear cups.

The larger ear cups on on-ear headphones can also store bigger batteries, which allows for longer battery life than other types of headphone. This is particularly the case when ANC is activated which can cut down the playback time of most headphones on ear by as much as 50%. On-ear headphones last up to 40 hours on a single charge. This makes them the most portable headphone type.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancelling headphones are made to keep you focused on what's playing by eliminating outside sounds. There are two types: active noise cancellation and passive isolation. Active noise cancelling headphones come with special circuitry that electronically reduces external sound by detecting and matching it with an equal and opposite frequency. Passive noise cancellation employs physical barriers, like padding or ear cups, to block unwanted noise. Both are effective in blocking out distracting background noise. However active noise cancellation is more complicated and expensive to manufacture.

The ANC technology built into a few headphones is derived from a small speaker referred to as an electrodynamic driver, or, more specifically, a moving coil drive. These devices use the stationary magnet element that is usually made of neodymium or ferrite, to set up the magnetic field around the voice coil. The voice coil is a thin coil that is suspended in the magnetic field. It vibrates to produce acoustic wave transmissions. The resulting vibrations are translated into electronic signals that produce audio from the headphones transducers.

ANC headphones have thick earpads that sit comfortably over the ears and shield them from outside noise. The acoustic isolation provides is far superior than what's provided by in-ear or on-ear headphones. Poor design can compromise the ANC of certain headphones. The earpads may leak sound or have a smaller surface area which makes it difficult to seal your ears.

Certain headphones come with a "Transparency Mode", which lets you hear the outside world while still listening to your music. This feature is useful when you need to hear what's going on around you, like announcements in a plane, or talking to someone.

If you're looking to buy a cheap pair of noise-canceling headsets, check out the Monoprice BT-600ANC. These Bluetooth headphones cost less than $100 and include a built-in mic, control buttons with aptX support, as well as high-quality audio codecs. They're not as good as the more expensive alternatives, but they are still a great value.