Headphones Over the Ear - What You Need to Know
Headphones that completely cover your ears offer superior sound isolation and are more comfortable than on-ear headsets and are typically of higher quality. They typically have advanced technology like the latest Bluetooth chips audio codecs, audio codecs, and large drivers (such as magnetic ones that are planar).
Many of them feature active noise cancellation and offer more comfort for long listening sessions. However, they're usually more expensive than earbuds.
Isolation
A good pair of headphones will protect your ears from outside noise and block it out. This is referred to as acoustic isolating, which is difficult to define on paper since manufacturers tend to use vague numbers like "30dB noise reduction."
Over-ear headphones are ideal for isolation because they completely cover your ears. They are ideal for working, studying or commuting. They are also the most comfortable since they rest on the top of your head, instead of pressing into your sides of your ears.
On-ear headphones are also an excellent option for those who want to isolate audio. These headphones are less bulky and sit on the ear's outer surface. However, they allow some sound to leak from the ear cups. In general, they're still a great option for those who want isolated audio without the extra bulk of over-ear headphones.
Earbuds are the smallest form of headphone that sit inside your ear canal, which gives them a bit more isolation than headphones that are over-ear. However, they aren't recommended for long listening sessions as they could cause hearing damage when used at high volume levels. They also can fall out of your ear, which can be distracting for some.
Active noise cancelling headphones (ANC) make use of built-in technologies to reduce ambient sounds 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 a silence. Some sounds, like vocals and acoustic instruments, can still be heard.
They're cheaper and don't require batteries. These headphones aren't quite as effective and may cause an annoying hissing sound that some people find annoying. Some brands, like Bose collect acoustic information from their headsets, and share it with a third party which some users are uncomfortable with. This can be hidden in long terms of service agreements or buried in the app's permissions, so it's important to confirm this prior to making a purchase. Other companies, such as Sony and Sennheiser, don't collect any data from their headsets.
Sound Quality
If you're a music lover or simply want to enjoy audio content, sound quality is essential. Over-the-ear headphones tend to have superior sound quality than earbuds since they cover your ears more comprehensively and permit less ambient noise to pass through which is great for protecting your hearing. They also come with larger drivers, which provide clearer and more wide-sounding sound.
These headphones usually have padded ear cups, comprised of memory-foam or other materials, that cushion your head and ears for long listening sessions. The majority of them have adjustable headbands that come that have collapsible or rotatable hinges that make it easy to store. Some are heavier than earbuds and less mobile. However, some come with collapsible bases that folds flat for transport.
Many of the over-ear headphones are wireless and have active noise cancellation, making them perfect for listening on public transportation or while at work. Over-ear headphones that do not feature active noise cancellation are still an option. They are comfortable, just don't press on your ears too much and don't make you turn up the volume.
You may be able find headphones in a style or color you like. I-MEGO Throne Gold is a excellent example. It is a gold-colored model with accents which make it stand out. Sivga Oriole has striking wooden ear cups.
Some over-ear headphones are purpose-built for use in studios and have the highest quality construction. They may not be as elegant and may cost more than other types but they are built to be used for serious listening and focusing on audio reproduction.
Over-ear headphones are usually equipped with rich, deep bass that's tuned to give a balanced playback. Low-mids are warm and smooth and high-mids are clear and detailed. This ensures vocals can cut through a mix and that instruments like synths and guitars sound distinct.
Comfort
Contrary to in-ear headphones that sit within the ear canal and limit your hearing, over-ear headphone models are able to fit over or around your ears. They are also more comfortable for long listening sessions than on-ear models. This is because their ear cups are much larger, which means they have more space for cushioned padding. A headband is typically placed on the top of the head to relieve pressure on your ears and head.
The bigger ear cups also allow over-ear headphones to have larger drivers, which means they can reproduce audio with more clarity and clarity than other headphone types. This is particularly true at the high- and low-end, where acoustic instrument like violins and pianists can really shine. They are also more likely to have active noise cancellation (ANC) built-in, which can help to reduce environmental sounds while you listen.
Some headsets for over-ear use come with an integrated microphone to allow hands-free calls. These can be particularly beneficial when you're on moving or in a noisy area. Some models have sensors that touch the earcups to allow you to control your music, voice assistants and apps. They are an excellent choice for use on the go. Some models even come with built-in storage, which means you can fold up the ear cups into a compact carrying bag when not in use.
On-ear headphones that look similar to over-ear models are generally regarded as the second best kind of headphones for comfort and audio quality. They are slightly more compact than the over-ear models, yet offer excellent sound isolation. This is particularly relevant when using active noise cancelling models. They block out external sounds better than headphones with over-ears. However there are some outside sounds that could still leak through the ear cups.
On-ear headphones come with larger ear cups, which can hold larger batteries. This lets them last longer than other styles of headphone. This is especially true when ANC is enabled which can cut down the playback duration of many on-ear headphones to half. The top on-ear headphones are typically capable of lasting more than 40 hours on a single charge, making them the most durable and portable headphones.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancelling headphones block outside noises to help you concentrate on your music. There are two types - active noise cancellation and passive noise isolation. Active noise cancelling headphones utilize special circuitry that electronically reduces external sound by detecting it and matching it with a frequency which is opposite and equal. Passive noise cancellation employs physical barriers, like padding or earcups to block unwanted noise. Both technologies offer an effective solution for blocking out distracting background noise, but active noise cancellation is more sophisticated and more expensive to produce than passive isolation.
The ANC technology built in some headphones comes from a small speaker referred to as an electrodynamic driver, or more specifically moving coil drive. These devices employ the stationary magnetic element that is typically composed of ferrite or neodymium to create a magnetic field surrounding a voice coil. The voice coil is a light wire, coiled in its own is suspended within the magnetic field and vibrates to create acoustic waves that transmit audio information. The vibrations generated are transformed into electronic signals, which create sound through the headphones' transducers.
ANC headphones feature earpads that fit over the ear headphones snugly over the ears and isolate them from outside noise. They provide better audio separation than in-ear or on-ear headphones. Poor design can reduce the ANC of some headphones. The earpads can let sound out or have too little surface area to effectively protect your ears from the sound.
Certain headphones come with a "Transparency Mode", which allows you to listen to the outside world while still listening to your music. This feature is helpful when you want to be able to hear what's going on around you, like announcements in a plane or talking to someone.
Monoprice BT600ANC is a great pair of low-cost noise-canceling earphones. These Bluetooth headphones cost less than $100 and come with a built-in microphone, touch controls, high-quality audio codes as well as aptX support. They aren't quite as good at separating sound as the pricier alternatives we looked at however, they offer great value for your money.