The Next Big Event In The Over-Ear Headphones Industry
Best over ear wireless headphones Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones usually have longer battery lives than earbuds. They also have superior quality sound cancellation.
Sony's WH-1000XM5s lead the pack for over-ear wireless headphones. They sound great with a bass-heavy, rich sound that lets vocals and other instruments to shine. With active noise cancellation (ANC) on the device, they can last for more than 40 hours on one charge.
Focal Bathys Wireless
The Focal Bathys Wireless are an audiophile-grade entry in the booming travel-focused, premium Bluetooth headphone market, a category long dominated by Bose and Sony products. However, with a history of crafting the best high-fidelity loudspeakers, Focal couldn't simply scale down to compete in this competitive market. It decided to design its own earbuds that had built-in ANC made of the same transducers, amplifiers and other components that are in its flagship products.
The result is a pair headphones that not only offer high-quality performance, but feel luxurious and durable. Focal reduced the size and weight of its more expensive headphones to make them more portable, while still using magnesium for the yokes. The design is sleek and stylish with the circular "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 in the app that comes with it).
The earcups fold flat for convenient storage, and the cable can be removed to be used with other devices without Bluetooth like many cell phones. The ear cups fold flat to make storage and the cable is detachable for use with other devices that don't have Bluetooth as well as many cell phones.
The headphones can also be used in DAC-mode, which omits internal processing to provide higher quality sound 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 made to be utilized on planes as well as in other noisy environments However, the DAC mode makes them suitable for more attentive listening. The Bathys are a great alternative to the closed-back headphones, which are tuned for bass. A pair of these would make a great gift 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 profile that gives your audio depth and a long battery life. They also have a sturdy design that is perfect for commutes and travel, but they can feel uncomfortable during long listening sessions due to their tight fit.
The headphones come with a good set of controls on the earcups which allow you to control your music and call settings. They include buttons for volume levels up down, power and ANC on/off. The buttons are surrounded by an LED-like area and you can tap it to change the display of light. The headphones are comfortable and fit well however, they can be uncomfortable for people who wear glasses.
JBL's Active Noise Cancellation technology reduces ambient noise by analyzing and interpret the sounds coming from outside the headphone. It then inverts these sounds and cancels out, creating a quieter listening space. This allows you to listen at lower volume and prevents fatigued ears. The headphones have a built-in microphone, which lets you make calls hands-free and activate voice assistants.
These headphones work with the 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 communicating with teammates. The USB port lets you charge them and play audio on your computer.
The JBLs 760NCs feature an easy-to-fold, compact design that makes them easy to carry around. They have built-in batteries that can last up to 40 hours of continuous use, and they're equipped with noise cancellation technology to block out any distractions. They can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once which means you don't need to wait for a second when switching from watching a movie on your tablet to making a call.
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2
Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 are a pair of in-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer what people expect from Bluetooth headphones. They offer an affordable price with a long battery life that lasts all day, a backup aux cable and peace of mind thanks to Tile finding technology. It comes with an easy control on the earcup, and is able to connect wired and wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with an excellent companion app that lets you tweak your listening experience, reduce the delay of video and audio when connected to computers or a smart TV and create multi-device pairing.
These headphones have a padded band and are very comfortable. These headphones are designed to be used for commutes and travel. They can be folded up to fit easily into backpacks or bags. They have a plasticky build quality, but they are quite sturdy and have a strong click when you move or flex them. Noise cancelling may be a problem for some users, but they block a lot of the low rumble from buses and the chatter of passengers.
The sound quality on these headphones over ear (more information) is quite decent, especially for their budget price. They don't have lush midranges as some of the more expensive headphones but they do have good overall clarity at most volumes. The bass is strong and punchy, whereas the highs are a bit soft, but not strident. They are great for pop and rock but not for genres that require a deep full bass.
The Riff Wireless 2 headphones feature more features than the previous version. They have a more 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 longer battery lives.
They're a good pair of headphones, but they don't have the same degree of comfort as other Skullcandy models, such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're still a great choice for most people however they're not the best choice for intense usage and could fall off during high-intensity training.
Razer Opus
The Opus is the first attempt by Razer at a set of headphones for the lifestyle market, and it's an impressive one. Its target market is likely to be much larger than gamers and offers a quality that's comparable to top-of-the-line models from Sony and Bose for an affordable price.
The design is a bit restrained by Razer standards: no RGB lighting or signature green accents and the Tri-Snake logo isn't to be seen. The headset is, in fact, Headphones Over Ear like other Bluetooth headphones, with semicircle hinges that swivel and fold flat on the top of the earcups to create a comfortable headband. The headsets are also lighter and more portable than most gaming headphones, with a weight of only 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 cancelling button. The controls were simple to use. They functioned as advertised during my testing.
The Opus bass is a roaring and well-rounded, with depth and clarity that you won't get in many budget headphones. The sound isn't as rich as Bose's Extra Bass, but it's still above expectations for a price of $200. The mids are a solid sound and vocals and lead instruments are able to stand out with decent clarity. I did notice a slight lack of clarity in the highs however, changing the EQ to the Vocal setting fixed the issue.
In addition as a bonus, you'll find an 3.5mm analog cable as well as a USB-C to-A adapter inside the carrying case, as well as an ordinary airplane audio jack for those who haven't yet switched to all-cable audio. It's a small, but appreciated addition that makes it easier to use headphones when traveling.
The Opus was a success as did other THX certified products. I was able walk through the city without having to raise the volume in order to block background noise and I never felt like I needed to turn my music up just to hear it. This is the kind of sound that can help you avoid hearing loss beats over ear headphones time from excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.
