Notes

The Secret Life Of Over-Ear Headphones
Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones generally have better battery longevity than earbuds. They also have superior noise cancellation.

Sony's WH1000XM5s lead the pack for wireless headphones that fit over the ear. They sound great with a rich, bass-heavy sound profile that allows vocals and instruments to shine. They last for more than 40 hours on a single charge, with active noise cancellation (ANC) activated.

Focal Bathys Wireless


The Focal Bathys wireless are an audiophile-grade entry into the highly sought-after premium Bluetooth headphone segment that has been dominated for years by Bose. However, with a history of making the highest quality high-fidelity loudspeakers, Focal couldn't simply scale down to compete in this highly competitive space. Therefore, it decided to create its own earbuds, which have built-in ANC made with the same transducers and amplifiers that are found in its flagship products.

The result is a pair of headphones that offer top-of-the-line performance, but also feel sturdy and luxurious. Focal trimmed the size and weight of its premium headphones to make these portable headphones more comfortable for travel however, they still use magnesium for the yokes to keep them lightweight. ear headphones over is sleek and stylish with an elongated "skeletonised" design reminiscent of the company's full-sized, high-end Focal Celestee, as well as LED backlit Focal "flame" logos on the side of each headphone that actually glow (you can toggle this feature on the app that comes with it).

When paired with your device, they run on the most recent Bluetooth v5.1 technology, which includes support for SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive, and a built-in DAC that can support up to 24 bit/192kHz playback. The earcups fold flat for easy storage and the cable is detachable for use on other devices that don't have Bluetooth like a lot of cell phones.

The headphones can also be used in DAC-mode, which omits internal processing to deliver a better sound quality than Bluetooth headphones that have built-in DACs. 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 are designed to be used in planes and other noisy environments, but the DAC mode allows for attentive listening. The Bathys are a great alternative to the closed-back headphones, which are tuned to bass. A pair of these headphones would be a perfect gift for the audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune 760NC is a lightweight comfortable pair of headphones that have active noise cancellation. They offer a deep bass profile that adds depth to your music, and they have a long battery life for listening sessions. They're also built to last, which makes them perfect for commutes and travel. However their snug fit could make them uncomfortable for long listening sessions.

The headphones have a decent set of controls on the ear cups that let you manage your music and call settings. They include buttons for volume levels up, down, power, and ANC off and on. 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 are comfortable to wear, but they can be uncomfortable for those who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation Technology reduces ambient sound by analyzing and interpreting sounds that come from outside the headphone. Then, it inverts the sounds and blocks out the background noise, leading to a quieter listening experience. This allows you listen at lower volume and avoid ear fatigue. The headphones have a built-in microphone, which lets you make calls hands-free and activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth devices including your computer and a majority of mobile phones. They're also compatible with most PS4 and Xbox One controllers to receive audio however, you won't be able to make use of them to talk with your co-workers. The USB port allows you to charge the devices and listen to audio on your computer.

The JBL 760NCs are designed to be compact and compact, with a design that folds down, making them easy to pack and take with you on the on the go. They're equipped with built-in batteries that can last for up to 40 hours of continuous use and come with noise cancellation technology to block out distracting sounds. They can be connected to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and you won't have to be unable to keep track of time when switching from watching a film on your tablet to making a phone call.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2

Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair of on-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer what people expect from Bluetooth headphones. They're priced at a fair price, have a long-lasting battery, accessory cable backup, and provide peace of mind thanks to Tile finding technology. It comes with a simple control set on the earcup, and it can be connected to wired and wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with an app that lets you customize your listening experience. It also allows users to minimize the delay of video and audio when connected to smart TVs or computers, and to set up a multi-device pair.

The headphones are extremely comfortable and come with a cushioned headband. They are made to be used for travel and commute. They are able to fold up to be easily stored in bags or backpacks. The material is strong and they click when you bend or move them. They don't feature noise cancellation which can be a challenge for some users, however they do block out some of the low buzz of buses and chatter.

The sound quality of these headphones is good, especially considering their price. The midranges aren't as rich as the more expensive models, but they still have good detail at all levels of volume. Their bass is powerful and punchy, and the highs are a little dispersed, but not overly so. They're perfect for rock and pop, but not for genres that need a deep, full bass.

The Riff Wireless 2 headphones have more features than the earlier version. They have a neutral sound profile that may be appealing to some people, a better mic performance and support multi-device pairing. They also support higher volume and have a longer battery life.

They're good headphones, but they don't offer the same level comfort as other Skullcandy products such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. These headphones are still a good option for most users, but they're not the best for active use. They could lose their elasticity when performing intense exercise.

Razer Opus

The Opus is Razer's first attempt at a lifestyle headphone set and it's a stunning one. Its target audience is likely to be a lot larger than gamers and offers quality that is comparable to top-of-the-line models from Sony and Bose at an affordable price.

The design is somewhat restrained, even by Razer's standards. There's no RGB lighting or trademark green accents. Additionally, the Tri-Snake is not visible. Rather, the headset looks like any other Bluetooth headphones, with semicircle hinges that swivel and fold flat on top of the earcups to form a comfortable headband. The headsets are also smaller and lighter than most gaming headphones, with a weight of just 265g when folded.

Onboard controls are located on the right earcup, with power and track control buttons as well as a recessed, multi-function button that doubles as a noise-cancellation cycle button. The controls were easy to use. They functioned as advertised during my tests.

The Opus bass has a punchy, well-rounded sound with clarity and depth that you won't get from many budget headphones. The sound is not as full-bodied as Bose's Extra Bass, but it's far superior for a price of $200. Vocals and lead instruments can be heard with a good clarity. The mids are solid. I did notice a small low-end slackness, however switching the EQ to Vocal resolved the issue.

As a bonus, you'll find an 3.5mm analog cable and USB-C-to A adapter in the carrying case, along with a standard airplane audio jack for those who haven't switched to all-cable audio. It's a small but appreciated addition that makes it easier to use headphones when traveling.

The Opus performed admirably, just like other THX certified products. I was able to stroll around town with the ANC turned on without having to increase the volume to drown out ambient noise and I never felt the need to play my music at a higher volume to hear it. This is the kind of quality which will help you to avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high frequency frequencies.

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