Best over ear headphones best-Ear Headphones
over ear headphones wireless-ear headphones typically provide better battery life than earbuds. They also provide superior noise cancellation.
Sony's WH1000XM5s lead the pack for wireless headphones over-ear. They sound fantastic with a deep, bass-heavy sound quality that allows vocals and instruments to shine. With active noise cancellation (ANC) in place the device, they can last for more than 40 hours on one charge.
Focal Bathys Wireless
The Focal Bathys wireless are a high-end audiophile entry into the popular premium Bluetooth headphone category which 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 competitive space. It decided to create its own earbuds that had built-in ANC made of the same amplifiers, transducers, and other components that are in its flagship products.
The result is a pair that not only offers top-notch performance but also feels luxurious and sturdy. Focal trimmed the size and weight of its more upmarket headphones to make these lightweight headphones more suitable for travel and still use magnesium for the yokes to keep them lightweight. The design is sleek and stylish with a circular, "skeletonised", design similar to Focal's premium Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are on the side of the headphone and actually glow.
The ear cups fold flat for convenient storage, and the cable is able to be separated to be used with other devices that lack Bluetooth like many cell phones. The ear cups fold flat for convenient storage and the cord is detachable for use on other devices that don't have Bluetooth like many cell phones.
The headphones can also be used in DAC mode, which bypasses internal processing to provide 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 specifically designed to be used in planes and other noisy environments however, the DAC mode makes them ideal for more focused listening. Most portable headphones are closed-back and tuned to boost bass, but the Bathys deliver an unbalanced, neutral sound that's perfect for rock and other popular genres without becoming overly loud. A pair of these headphones would be a wonderful present for the audiophile on your list.
JBL Tune 760NC
The JBL Tune 760NC are a lightweight and comfortable pair of headphones with active noise cancellation. They have a bass-focused profile that gives your audio depth and an extended battery life. They also have a durable design that is perfect 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 ear cups that let you control your music as well as call settings. They include buttons for [Redirect-302] volume levels up, down, power, and ANC on/off. The buttons are surrounded by a small section of LED and you can tap it to alter the light display. The headphones are comfortable to fit and are well-padded, however they do not sit well on your head and might be uncomfortable for listeners who wear glasses.
JBL's Active Noise Cancellation Technology reduces ambient noise by analyzing and understanding the sounds coming from outside the headphone. It then reverses those sounds and blocks them out, resulting in an experience that is more peaceful. This lets you listen at lower volumes and avoid ear fatigue. The headphones also come with a microphone that lets you make hands-free calls and activate voice assistants.
These headphones work with the majority of Bluetooth devices such as your laptop and many mobile phones. They're also compatible with most PS4 and Xbox One controllers to receive audio, but you won't be able to use them to connect with teammates. They also come with an USB port for charging and listening to audio on your computer.
The JBLs 760NCs have a foldable, compact design that makes it easy to carry around. The JBL 760NCs come with built-in batteries that can last up to 40 hours continuously and come with noise cancellation that blocks out noises that distract you. They can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and you won't have to wait for a second when switching from watching a film on your tablet to making a call.
Skullcandy Riff Wireless
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 is a pair of on-ear headphones that provide the features people expect from on-ear Bluetooth headphones. They come at a reasonable price, feature a long-lasting battery, an aux cable backup, and provide peace of mind thanks to Tile finding technology. It also features a simple set of controls on the earcup and can connect to both wireless and wired devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with an app that lets you personalize your listening experience. It also allows you to reduce audio and video delays when used with smart TVs or computers, and also set up a multi-device pair.
These headphones have a padded band that is very comfortable. They are designed for travel and commute. They can be folded to be easily stored in backpacks or bags. The material is strong and they click when you bend or move them. Noise cancellation may be a problem for some users, but they block some of the low rumbles from buses and the chatter of passengers.
These headphones have a decent sound quality, especially given their low cost. They don't have luscious midranges as some of the more expensive headphones however they do have good overall clarity at most volume levels. The bass is strong and punchy, while the highs are slightly rolled off but still not loud and stout. They're great for rock and pop, but might not be the best choice for genres that feature full, deep bass.
The Riff Wireless 2 headphones come with more features than the previous version. They have a neutral sound profile that may appeal to certain users as well as a more efficient microphone and support multi-device pairing. They also have an increased volume and have a longer battery life.
They're a great pair of headphones but do not offer the same level of comfort as other Skullcandy models, such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're a good over ear noise cancelling headphones option for most users but they're not the best for active use. They can fall off when doing high-intensity exercise.
Razer Opus
The Opus is Razer’s first attempt at making a high-quality, lifestyle headphone. It's a great product. The market it is targeting is likely to be a lot 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 restrained by Razer standards: no RGB lighting or trademark green accents, and the Tri-Snake logo is nowhere to be seen. The headset is, in fact, similar to other Bluetooth headphones, with semicircle hinges that rotate and fold flat on the top of the earcups to form an incredibly comfortable headband. The headsets are lightweight and more portable than most gaming headphones, and weigh 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 an active noise-cancellation button. The controls were easy to use. They worked as they were advertised during my testing.
The Opus bass is an energizing, well-rounded sound with depth and clarity that you won't find in many budget headphones. It's not as full as the Bose Extra Bass headphones, but it's still better than expectations for headphones in the $200 price range. The mids are solid and vocals as well as lead instruments are able to stand out with decent clarity. I did notice a small veiledness in the highs however switching the EQ to Vocal resolved the issue.
In the case, you'll also find a 3.5mm audio cable as well as a USB C-to-A converter, as well as an ordinary 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 while traveling.
The Opus performed flawlessly and was just like other THX certified products. I was able to walk through the city with ANC turned on without having to increase the volume to block out ambient noise, and I never felt the need play my music at a higher volume to over hear headphones it. This is the type of sound quality that can help you to avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.
over ear headphones wireless-ear headphones typically provide better battery life than earbuds. They also provide superior noise cancellation.
Sony's WH1000XM5s lead the pack for wireless headphones over-ear. They sound fantastic with a deep, bass-heavy sound quality that allows vocals and instruments to shine. With active noise cancellation (ANC) in place the device, they can last for more than 40 hours on one charge.
Focal Bathys Wireless
The Focal Bathys wireless are a high-end audiophile entry into the popular premium Bluetooth headphone category which 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 competitive space. It decided to create its own earbuds that had built-in ANC made of the same amplifiers, transducers, and other components that are in its flagship products.
The result is a pair that not only offers top-notch performance but also feels luxurious and sturdy. Focal trimmed the size and weight of its more upmarket headphones to make these lightweight headphones more suitable for travel and still use magnesium for the yokes to keep them lightweight. The design is sleek and stylish with a circular, "skeletonised", design similar to Focal's premium Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are on the side of the headphone and actually glow.
The ear cups fold flat for convenient storage, and the cable is able to be separated to be used with other devices that lack Bluetooth like many cell phones. The ear cups fold flat for convenient storage and the cord is detachable for use on other devices that don't have Bluetooth like many cell phones.
The headphones can also be used in DAC mode, which bypasses internal processing to provide 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 specifically designed to be used in planes and other noisy environments however, the DAC mode makes them ideal for more focused listening. Most portable headphones are closed-back and tuned to boost bass, but the Bathys deliver an unbalanced, neutral sound that's perfect for rock and other popular genres without becoming overly loud. A pair of these headphones would be a wonderful present for the audiophile on your list.
JBL Tune 760NC
The JBL Tune 760NC are a lightweight and comfortable pair of headphones with active noise cancellation. They have a bass-focused profile that gives your audio depth and an extended battery life. They also have a durable design that is perfect 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 ear cups that let you control your music as well as call settings. They include buttons for [Redirect-302] volume levels up, down, power, and ANC on/off. The buttons are surrounded by a small section of LED and you can tap it to alter the light display. The headphones are comfortable to fit and are well-padded, however they do not sit well on your head and might be uncomfortable for listeners who wear glasses.
JBL's Active Noise Cancellation Technology reduces ambient noise by analyzing and understanding the sounds coming from outside the headphone. It then reverses those sounds and blocks them out, resulting in an experience that is more peaceful. This lets you listen at lower volumes and avoid ear fatigue. The headphones also come with a microphone that lets you make hands-free calls and activate voice assistants.
These headphones work with the majority of Bluetooth devices such as your laptop and many mobile phones. They're also compatible with most PS4 and Xbox One controllers to receive audio, but you won't be able to use them to connect with teammates. They also come with an USB port for charging and listening to audio on your computer.
The JBLs 760NCs have a foldable, compact design that makes it easy to carry around. The JBL 760NCs come with built-in batteries that can last up to 40 hours continuously and come with noise cancellation that blocks out noises that distract you. They can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and you won't have to wait for a second when switching from watching a film on your tablet to making a call.
Skullcandy Riff Wireless
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 is a pair of on-ear headphones that provide the features people expect from on-ear Bluetooth headphones. They come at a reasonable price, feature a long-lasting battery, an aux cable backup, and provide peace of mind thanks to Tile finding technology. It also features a simple set of controls on the earcup and can connect to both wireless and wired devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with an app that lets you personalize your listening experience. It also allows you to reduce audio and video delays when used with smart TVs or computers, and also set up a multi-device pair.
These headphones have a padded band that is very comfortable. They are designed for travel and commute. They can be folded to be easily stored in backpacks or bags. The material is strong and they click when you bend or move them. Noise cancellation may be a problem for some users, but they block some of the low rumbles from buses and the chatter of passengers.
These headphones have a decent sound quality, especially given their low cost. They don't have luscious midranges as some of the more expensive headphones however they do have good overall clarity at most volume levels. The bass is strong and punchy, while the highs are slightly rolled off but still not loud and stout. They're great for rock and pop, but might not be the best choice for genres that feature full, deep bass.
The Riff Wireless 2 headphones come with more features than the previous version. They have a neutral sound profile that may appeal to certain users as well as a more efficient microphone and support multi-device pairing. They also have an increased volume and have a longer battery life.
They're a great pair of headphones but do not offer the same level of comfort as other Skullcandy models, such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're a good over ear noise cancelling headphones option for most users but they're not the best for active use. They can fall off when doing high-intensity exercise.
Razer Opus
The Opus is Razer’s first attempt at making a high-quality, lifestyle headphone. It's a great product. The market it is targeting is likely to be a lot 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 restrained by Razer standards: no RGB lighting or trademark green accents, and the Tri-Snake logo is nowhere to be seen. The headset is, in fact, similar to other Bluetooth headphones, with semicircle hinges that rotate and fold flat on the top of the earcups to form an incredibly comfortable headband. The headsets are lightweight and more portable than most gaming headphones, and weigh 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 an active noise-cancellation button. The controls were easy to use. They worked as they were advertised during my testing.
The Opus bass is an energizing, well-rounded sound with depth and clarity that you won't find in many budget headphones. It's not as full as the Bose Extra Bass headphones, but it's still better than expectations for headphones in the $200 price range. The mids are solid and vocals as well as lead instruments are able to stand out with decent clarity. I did notice a small veiledness in the highs however switching the EQ to Vocal resolved the issue.
In the case, you'll also find a 3.5mm audio cable as well as a USB C-to-A converter, as well as an ordinary 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 while traveling.
The Opus performed flawlessly and was just like other THX certified products. I was able to walk through the city with ANC turned on without having to increase the volume to block out ambient noise, and I never felt the need play my music at a higher volume to over hear headphones it. This is the type of sound quality that can help you to avoid hearing loss due to excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.