A Look At Over-Ear Headphones's Secrets Of Over-Ear Headphones
Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones typically provide better battery life than earbuds. They also offer superior noise cancellation.
Sony's WH-1000XM5s lead the pack for wireless headphones that fit over the ear. They sound great with a bass-heavy, rich sound that allows instruments and vocals to shine. They can last for over 40 hours on a single battery with active noise cancellation (ANC) activated.
Focal Bathys Wireless
The Focal Bathys Wireless are an audiophile-grade entry in the booming travel-focused, premium Bluetooth headphone market, which has been dominated by Bose and Sony offerings. Focal's reputation for producing the highest quality high-fidelity speakers meant that it couldn't just cut back to be competitive. Therefore, it decided to design its own set of earbuds with built-in ANC and the same amplifiers and transducers that are used in its flagship products.
The result is a pair that not only provides top-quality performance, but also feels luxurious and robust. Focal reduced the size and weight of its higher-end headphones to make them more compact, while still using magnesium for the yokes. The design is sleek and elegant with a a circular, "skeletonised", design similar to Focal's high-end Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are located on the back of the headphones and actually glow.
When connected to your device, they operate on the most recent Bluetooth v5.1 technology, which includes support for SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive and an integrated DAC that can support up to 24-bit/192kHz playback. The earcups fold flat for easy storage and the cable can be detachable to use with other devices that don't have Bluetooth like a lot of cell phones.
For those who are serious about audio, the headphones can be used in DAC mode, which eliminates the internal processing and delivers superior sound quality than the majority of Bluetooth headphones that have 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 results--including better-than-CD-quality resolution, tight bass, and an open, airy midrange.
The Focal Bathys were created to be used on planes in noisy environments and other locations. However, the DAC mode makes them suitable for more critical listening. The Bathys are a great alternative to the closed-back headphones, which are tuned for bass. They'd make a great gift for any audiophiles on your list.
JBL Tune 760NC
The JBL Tune-760NC is a lightweight comfortable pair of headphones with active noise cancellation. They have a deep bass profile which adds depth to your music, and they have a long battery life for listening sessions. They also have a sturdy construction that is ideal for commutes and travel however, they may feel uncomfortable during long listening sessions due to their tight fitting.
The headphones come with a decent set of controls on the earcups which allow you to control your music as well as call settings. The headphones have buttons that control volume up and down as well as power, ANC, and the like. The buttons are surrounded by a small section that is lit by an LED and you can tap it to change the headphone's lighting display. The headphones are well-padded and fit well however they may be uncomfortable for those who wear glasses.
JBL's Active Noise Cancellation technology reduces ambient noise by analysing and understanding the sounds emanating from outside the headphone. It then reverses those sounds and cancels out the background noise, leading to a quieter listening experience. This lets you listen to music at lower volumes and avoid the ear fatigue. The headphones have a built-in microphone that allows you to make phone calls without hands and also activate voice assistants.
These headphones are compatible with a majority of Bluetooth devices, including your laptop 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 other players. The USB port allows you to charge them and listen to audio through your computer.
The JBL 760NCs were designed to be portable with a compact design that folds down, making them easy to pack and take with you on the on the go. They have an internal battery that can last up to 40 hours of continuous use, and they're equipped with noise cancellation technology to block out any distractions. They also have the ability to connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, so you can switch between watching videos on your tablet to taking calls on your phone without a hitch.
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair of in-ear Bluetooth headphones that provide the features users expect from Bluetooth headphones. They provide a reasonable price point and a battery that lasts all day as well as an additional aux cable for backup, and peace of mind thanks to Tile technology for finding. It has an easy control on the earcup and it can be connected to wireless and wired devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with a great companion application that lets you tweak your listening experience as well as decrease the delay in video and audio when connected to a smart television or computer and set up multi-device pairing.
They are extremely comfortable and have a padded headband. These headphones are made for use on commutes and trips. They fold into a compact size to fit in bags or backpacks. The plasticky material is sturdy and they click when you stretch or move them. They don't have noise cancellation which can be a challenge for some users, however they block out some of the low buzz of buses and chatter.
These headphones have a decent sound quality, particularly considering their low price. The midranges are not as lush as the more expensive models, but they still have good detail at most volume levels. Their bass is powerful and punchy, and the highs are a little soft, but not a lot. They are great for rock and pop, but not for genres that require a deep, full bass.
The Riff Wireless 2 headphones have more features than the older version. They have a neutral sound profile that may appeal to certain users and a superior mic performance and support multi-device pairing. They also have a longer battery life and can handle an increased volume.
They're a good pair of headphones but don't have the same level of comfort as some other Skullcandy models, like the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're still a great choice for most users however they're not the best choice for active usage and could fall off during high-intensity workouts.
Razer Opus
The Opus is the first attempt by Razer to create a headphone that is a lifestyle. It's a fantastic product. The market it is targeting is likely to be more diverse than the gamers market, and it offers quality that rivals the top models from Sony and Bose for an affordable price.
The design is somewhat restrained even by Razer's standards. There's no RGB lighting, and there are no signature green accents. The Tri-Snake isn't apparent. Rather, the headset looks like other Bluetooth headphones, with semicircle hinges that rotate and fold flat on top of the earcups, creating a comfortable headband. The headsets are lightweight and more portable than other gaming headphones, weighing just 265g when folded.
On the right earcup are onboard controls. The power and track control buttons are close to a multi-function button recessed into it that also doubles as a noise-cancellation button. The controls were responsive and easy to use. They functioned as advertised during my tests.
The Opus' bass has an energizing, well-rounded sound with clarity and depth that you can't get from many budget headphones. beats overhead headphones 's not as full as Bose's Extra Bass headphones, but it's still a step above expectations for headphones in the $200 price range. The mids are solid and vocals as well as the lead instruments be heard clearly with good clarity. I did notice a slight low-end slackness, however switching the EQ to Vocal solved the issue.
In the case, you'll also find the 3.5mm audio cable and USB C-to-A converter and a standard airplane audio plug for those who haven't switched yet. It's a small, but a welcome addition to make it easier to use headphones when traveling.
The Opus performed admirably and was just like other THX certified products. I was able to stroll through the city without having to raise the volume to block out background noise and I never felt that I needed to turn my music up to hear it. That's the kind of quality that will help you avoid hearing loss over time from excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.