25 Surprising Facts About Over Ear Wireless Headphones
Why Over Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds
With their large ear cups, the over-ear wireless headphones can better isolate you from outside noise. They can also use active sound cancellation more efficiently than earbuds. This can be beneficial in noisy environments.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are class-leading over-ear headphones that offer superb audio quality and impressive active noise cancellation. They support a variety of audio formats including high-resolution lossless streaming via the LDAC codec.
Comfort
Over-ear headphones wrap your ears and provide greater comfort than in-ear headphones. They are also lighter in weight since they don't have a cord that runs to your head as earbuds do, and they generally have more hardware inside (like microphones, batteries and drivers) because of their larger size. They are also more portable and, therefore, better suited to travel.
A comfortable pair of headphones are ones with soft cushioned earcups that wrap around your ears, and a lightweight headband that does not put too much pressure on your head. The headphones should be adjustable so that you can adjust the headband and earcups to get a better fitting. For long-term listening sessions choose headphones that feature extra soft memory foam in the ear cups.
Some over-ear headphones have active noise cancellation features which can reduce background noise, so you'll be able to focus on your audio without the distraction of the outside world. This makes it easier to listen to your podcasts or music and could aid in concentration at the office or on an airplane.
Over-ear headphones also help to reduce the background noise by forming an effective seal. Although you'll still hear outside noise, it's generally less noticeable than with in-ear headphones and doesn't interfere in the same way when you enter a noisy area.
On-ear headphones are worn over the ears, rather than over your ears. This is more comfortable in the event that you have specific earrings or glasses that make in-ear headphones uncomfortable. They are also more lightweight and portable due to the fact that they have a smaller shape and can fit into your bag.
Some headphones have additional padding inside the earcups to increase comfort, and they'll typically be open-back models that let you hear your surroundings, too. This is an excellent choice for those who want to be able to hear their surroundings, as well as their music.
Sound
If you're spending this amount of money on headphones, you want them to sound fantastic. Bluetooth headphones have been improved in recent years. Even over-ear models are capable of producing a rich, balanced sound that rivals wired headphones. Modern Bluetooth chips must be energy efficient, support audio codecs like aptX and THX, and have comfortable earcups.
Over-ear headphones can provide an even more immersive listening experience than on-ear styles because they surround your ears completely. This can create a more expansive and detailed soundstage, with better separation between vocals and instruments. Larger earcups can also be used to accommodate larger drivers that give your music the kind of clarity and depth that serious audiophiles desire.
Over-ear headphones are known to leak more ambient sound than on-ear models. It's a small price to pay for the isolation that they offer, particularly in noisy environments such as public transport or at work. They are also heavier and bigger than on-ear ones which makes them harder to fit into a backpack.
Over-ear headphones usually offer 20 to 60 hours playback. This is influenced by the level of noise cancellation as well as the volume you listen to.
On-ear wireless headphones usually last for around 30 to 40 hours, based on the model. The average will fall somewhere between, and the more durable models tend to be more light and compact.
The Sony WHCH720Ns come with a lot of features at affordable prices. They're not as premium as the WH-1000XM4s, which is the flagship model of the company, but they still come with the likes of multi-point pairing, adaptive active noise cancellation, and support for Sony's 360 Reality Audio and DSEE upscaling technology.
If you're on a tight budget but still are looking for the best wireless headphones take a look at the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2. These fashionable headphones have an elegant design, with a robust feature set which includes ANC.
Noise Cancellation
Over-ear wireless headphones are usually better at active noise cancellation than earbuds. The reason for this is because they can cover a wider area around your ears thanks to their larger outer housings, which means they can generate and produce more sound that can cancel out any background sounds you're listening to.

Certain models have several ANC settings to choose from, depending on the situation in which you are listening. They may also allow external audio to be played through when you are in public or at work. Focal's entry into the premium over-ear noise cancelling headphone market is a good example, with its gorgeous-looking Bathys that provide a stunningly expressive, hi-res capable sound that brings high-quality mixing booth quality to your everyday listening.
Sony's XM4s are another pair of over-ear wireless headphones we tried. They feature passive noise-isolation that lets you concentrate on your music, as well as a variety of useful features, such as voice control, LDAC to play hi-res audio playback, as well as a smart application that lets you adjust the EQ settings for any song. They capture every note of Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 You" to the shaking Bridge.
When bose over head headphones comes to choosing the best pair for you, it depends on your personal tastes and budget. Over-ears tend to be more comfortable than earbuds and they're less likely to fall out of your ears, so if you plan on wearing them for long periods of time, it's well worth it to invest in the right pair.
The extra size of over-ear headphones also allows them to pack in an extra battery and offer more advanced features such as superior drivers and enhanced active noise cancellation technology. They're also a cheaper alternative to audiophile-style headphones for listening to music with an analytical focus that could cost upwards of $250 / AU$450 a pair.
Earbuds could be a less expensive and smaller alternative, but they don't block out as much sound. They also don't provide the same features.
Battery Life
For a pair of headphones to be truly portable, they need to offer long playback time. The top wireless headphones can play for up to 30 hours of music uninterrupted without active noise cancelling activated (this significantly reduces the battery's lifespan). Models with ANC typically have longer playback times.
The larger ear cups that are found on over-ear wireless headphones can accommodate larger batteries and offer longer battery lives than smaller in-ears or on-ears. Over-ear headphones aren't as portable to allow for longer run times and additional features such as foldable earcups and a carry case.
Most over-ear headphones are wireless and connect to audio sources with cables that terminate in 3.5mm connectors. Professional-grade models can utilize larger connectors such as 6.3mm or an XLR. Wireless over-ear headphones can connect to an external audio output via an additional cable, whereas wireless models connect to mobile devices over Bluetooth.
Some wireless headphones with over-ears come with built-in microphones that allow you to make hands-free phone calls with your mobile. Others have the ability to control volume, which allows you to skip tracks or begin and stop playback. Some over-ear headphones charge your smartphone as you use them, but this is typically only found on top-of-the-line models.
If you prefer the deep bass of EDM or the more balanced sound of classical, over-ear wireless headphones provide outstanding audio performance. Many over-ear headphones have an open-back design. This means they do not block out sounds from the outside. They also have drivers of different sizes and types that help to reproduce more rich, expansive music.
Focal's debut headphones are a high-end audiophile wireless over-ear headphones that brings mixing booth quality to your daily listening. The headphones are specifically designed to be compatible with Apple devices and are therefore not able to function on other devices. However should you wish to use them on your iPhone or iPad, they offer an incredibly rich and dynamic sonic experience.
These headphones for over-ears are constructed with a high-end design and build. They are made of aluminum and wrapped in soft Nappa leather. They're designed for discerning listeners. They can be adjusted to fit the shape of your ears, and come with a custom-fit carry pouch that ensures a secure fit. The MW08s have 11mm berylium speakers for an immersive and full sound that resembles the acoustics that you hear from live performances. They are compatible with the aptX and AAC Bluetooth codecs, with the companion app offering a variety of customization options to customize their sound profile to your liking.