Notes

10 Places To Find Over-Ear Headphones
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones typically have more battery life than earbuds. They also offer superior noise cancellation.

Sony's WH1000XM5s have the best over-ear headphones equipped with wireless technology. They sound great, with a bass-heavy sound that allows vocals and other instruments to shine. With active noise cancellation (ANC) in place the device, they can last for more than 40 hours on a single charge.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys Wireless are an audiophile-grade entry point into the booming travel-focused, premium Bluetooth headphone market, which has been dominated by Bose and Sony offerings. Focal's reputation for producing the best high-fidelity speakers meant that it wasn't able to cut back to compete. Therefore, it decided to create its own set of earbuds that incorporate ANC, using 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 more expensive headphones to make them lighter and more portable but still utilizing magnesium for the yokes. The design is sleek and stylish with a circular, "skeletonised", design like Focal's high-end Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are placed on the side of the headphone and actually glow.

The ear cups fold flat for convenient storage, and the cable can be removed to be used with other devices without Bluetooth, such as many cell phones. The earcups can be folded flat for simple storage. The cable can also be removed to use with devices without Bluetooth like many cell phones.

For true audio nerds the headphones can be used in DAC mode, which eliminates the internal processing and delivers higher quality sound than most Bluetooth headphones with their 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 many other places. However, the DAC mode makes them suitable for listening with greater attention. Most portable headphones are closed-back and tuned for boosted bass however, the Bathys deliver an even, neutral sound that's well suited to rock and other genres without being overly loud. A pair of these would make a great gift for the audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune-760NC is a lightweight comfortable pair of headphones that feature active noise cancellation. They offer a deep bass profile which adds depth to your music, and they have long battery life for listening sessions. They also have a sturdy construction that is ideal for travel and commutes, but they can feel uncomfortable for long listening sessions due to their tight fitting.

The headphones come with a set control that you can use to control the music as well as your call settings. The headphones have buttons to control volume levels up and down, power, ANC, and the similar. The buttons are surrounded with a small section of LED and you can tap them to change the light display. The headphones are well-padded and fit well however, they can be uncomfortable for those who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation technology reduces ambient noise by analysing and interpret the sounds coming from outside the headphone. It then reverses those sounds and blocks out the background noise, leading to an experience that is more peaceful. This allows you to listen at lower volumes and prevents the aches and fatigue of your ears. The headphones are equipped with a microphone that lets you make hands-free phone calls and to activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with a majority of Bluetooth devices, including your computer and mobile phones. These headphones are compatible with the majority of PS4 and Xbox One Controllers for receiving audio but not for communication with teammates. The USB port allows you to charge them and play audio from your computer.

The JBLs 760NCs come with a compact, foldable design that makes them easy to carry around. They're equipped with a built-in battery that can last up to 40 hours of continuous usage, and they're equipped with noise cancellation technology that blocks out any distractions. They can also connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, so you can switch between watching a video on your tablet to making calls on your phone without a hitch.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair of in-ear Bluetooth headphones that deliver what users expect from Bluetooth headphones. They come with a low price and a battery that lasts all day and an aux cable backup and peace of mind with Tile technology for finding. It also has a simple set of controls for the earcup and is able to connect to both wireless and wired devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with a fantastic companion application that lets you modify your listening experience to reduce the delay of video and audio when paired with a smart television or computer and set up multi-device pairing.

The headphones are extremely comfortable and have a padded headband. These headphones are made for travel and commute. They can be folded into a compact size to fit in bags or backpacks. The plasticky material is sturdy and they click when you stretch or move them. Noise cancellation could be an issue for some people, however they block some of the low rumble from busses and chatter of passengers.

These headphones have a decent sound quality, especially given their low cost. They don't have lush midranges as some of the more expensive headphones, but they do have good overall clarity at all volumes. The bass is strong and punchy, while the highs are a bit rolled off but still not too loud. They are great for rock and pop, but not for genres that require a deep full bass.

Comparing to the previous version of these headphones the Riff Wireless 2 have more features. ear headphones over have an unison sound profile, which may appeal to some users. They also have a more efficient microphone and can work with several devices. They also have a much longer battery life, and they can support a higher volume.

These headphones are good but they don't provide the same level comfort like other Skullcandy products such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're an option for most users, but they're not necessarily the best choice for those who exercise. They could lose their elasticity when performing intense exercises.

Razer Opus

The Opus is Razer's first attempt at a headphone set that is designed for a lifestyle, and it's an impressive one. The market it is targeting is likely to be more diverse than the gamers market and it comes with a premium sound that is comparable to the top models from Sony and Bose at a price that is affordable.

The design is somewhat restrained, even by Razer's standards. There is no RGB lighting, and there are no signature green accents. Additionally, the Tri-Snake is not evident. The headset is, in fact, like other Bluetooth headphones, sporting semicircle hinges that swivel and fold flat on the top of the earcups to form an incredibly comfortable headband. The headsets are lightweight and more portable than the majority of gaming headphones, with a weight of only 265g when folded.

Onboard controls are found on the right earcup with track and power buttons beside a recessed multi-function button that doubles as an active noise-cancellation button. The controls were simple 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. It's not quite as full as the Bose Extra Bass headphones, but it still exceeds expectations for the $200 price range. Vocals and lead instruments can be heard with a good clarity. The mids are also solid. I did notice a small lack of clarity in the highs however changing the EQ to the Vocal preset resolved the issue.

As an added bonus there's a 3.5mm analog cable and USB-C-to A adapter in the carrying case, as well as a standard airplane audio jack for those that haven't yet made the switch to all-cable audio. It's a small but welcome addition to make it easier to use headphones when traveling.


As with other THX-certified products, the Opus performed well in my tests. I was able to stroll around town with ANC turned on without having to increase the volume to drown out ambient noise and I never felt the need turn up my music just to hear it. This is the kind of quality that will help you avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.

Homepage: https://www.headphonesshop.uk/categories/over-ear-headphones