Overhead headphones are pretty versatile: they're good for home and street, for talking and listening to music.
Content:
Recommendations:
The 5 best over-the-ear headphones
, The 5 best stereo Bluetooth headphones
, 9 best Sennheiser headphones
The best overhead wireless headphones
Overhead headphones have medium-sized cups - this allows them to have fairly large speakers and high-capacity batteries. At the same time, they are not as bulky as full-size models. This combination makes the over-the-ear headphones a great option for those who like to carry music around with them, but are also demanding in terms of playback quality.
Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless
Perfect Hi-Res sound
The Beyerdynamic Aventho are the premium headphones for the purest possible music reproduction. They have an unrealistically wide frequency range, and the sound is simply magical.
Reasons to buy:
- Elegant design and hand-built;
- rotating cups;
- luxury sound;
- built-in microphone;
- Long battery life.
The Aventho's are solid and quite comfortable, if you spread them out a bit. The metal adjustable headband with faux leather inserts prevents discomfort and the soft ear cushions on the swivel cups fit your ears snugly.
Inside are powerful drivers that deliver sound with minimal distortion. The right-hand cup, which supports touch control, allows you to scroll through tracks and adjust the volume with a single touch. There is also a physical power button, LED indicator, USB-C charging jack, and removable cable.
In Bluetooth mode, the headset works steadily at a distance of 10 meters from the source device. At the same time the battery lasts for 30 hours of listening - not a small figure, although for this price segment is quite normal.
Thanks to the proprietary Tesla technology, the Aventho Wireless headphones produce natural sound and are suitable for playing Hi-Res Audio files. The MIY app for smartphones provides access to advanced features and sound control.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
With active noise cancellation
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headset guarantees instant access to phone calls and your favorite music. The headphones sound traditional for the German brand: clear and natural.
Reasons to buy:
- stylish appearance;
- effective noise cancellation;
- full multipoint;
- high-capacity battery;
- case included.
The brushed steel headband has a fairly simple but reliable adjustable mechanism and padded inserts for a comfortable fit on the head. The pivoting cups are covered in leather and fit snugly against the earshells.
The controls are located on the right cup. Rubberized buttons summon a virtual assistant, scroll through tracks and change volume. Active noise cancellation with three switchable modes and a transparent hearing function allow you full control over your listening environment.
Wireless connectivity uses Bluetooth, with the headphones supporting multipoint. The Sennheiser Smart Control app gives you access to noise cancellation and EQ settings.
Momentum 3 plays flawlessly, producing balanced and rich sound at all frequencies. The headphones are also convenient to use for phone calls. It has a very good microphone that does not distort the voice.
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE
An elegant gaming headset.
The Corsair Virtuoso is a rugged gaming headset with long battery life, decent sound, and a cool talking microphone.
Reasons to buy:
- premium design;
- great sound;
- multiple pairing options;
- automatic shutdown;
- one of the best microphones.
Virtuoso looks non-gamer elegant, austere, and expensive. The aluminum headband is complemented by a plastic headband and covered with textured leatherette. The soft luminous cups with metal panels are securely fastened by hinges and can be rotated in any direction. The ear cushions are removable and can be replaced if necessary.
The left ear cup has a long, thin microphone with LED indicators. Next to it are a USB port, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and volume controls. Yes - both wired and wireless connections are available for these headphones. A fully charged battery guarantees 20 hours of radio play. When you remove the headphones from your head, they turn off and on as soon as you put them back on, which saves battery life.
The Corsair Virtuoso speakers deliver surround sound that conveys all the nuances of multimedia songs, as well as making it easy to position yourself in games. The Corsair iCUE app is used to customize your headset. With it you can experiment with the sound and choose the colors for the LED indicators.
Bose SoundLink On-Ear Wireless
Lightweight headphones for every day
A great choice for people who prefer compact and modern audio technology. The model with passive isolation provides a reliable connection and clear sound of any songs.
Reasons to buy:
- beautiful sound;
- High-quality construction and low weight (152 g);
- simultaneous connection to two devices;
- good functionality;
- fast charging.
The black plastic Bose On-Ear Wireless has a soft headband and neat open cups that rotate in any direction. The clever design lets air in and minimizes pressure on your head.
On one of the cups you will find the power and volume buttons and a USB connector, while the other has a jack for a 3.5 mm cable. The Bluetooth system supports multipoint mode and connects your ears to two devices simultaneously.
Dual microphones reduce ambient noise and amplify the speaker's voice during phone calls. The battery lasts for 15 hours. When the battery runs out, you can plug in the included audio cable and continue using the headphones.
The active equalizer and TriPort technology provide amazing sound at any volume level. The accessory satisfies all needs and is convenient both in the city and on day trips.
Marshall Major III Bluetooth
A great option for the home
The third version of the Marshall Major features an extended frequency range, intuitive controls and a reliable build.
Reasons to buy:
- Wired and wireless connectivity;
- high autonomy;
- attractive design and folding design;
- aptX codec support;
- the ability to connect a second headphone.
Marshall Major III's adjustable headband is wrapped in eco-leather. Movable ear-cups stand can be moved out by 3 cm, and thick and soft ear cushions are not pressing on the ears. The model folds compactly for storage.
The left ear cup has a multifunction control joystick, the right ear cup has an audio jack and microUSB port. For the first Bluetooth-pairing, you need to turn on the headphones, find them in the list of available devices on your smartphone and press the confirmation button. The next time the connection is made automatically.
The Major III looks stylish and recognizable and offers quality sound across the full frequency range. If you connect the audio cable to other headphones, you can "share" the music you are listening to with a friend. The device has a medium level of passive noise cancellation and boasts 30 hours of battery life.
JBL Tune 600BTNC.
Affordable headphones with good sound
The budget and very popular JBL model features powerful expressive sound. It's a great option for watching videos and listening to music at home, on public transportation, and during flights.
Reasons to buy:
- Active noise modulation;
- easy operation;
- comfortable fit and light weight;
- durability.
The plastic headband of the JBL Tune is covered with fabric, which is much more comfortable than leatherette. Deep soft ear cushions do not rub against the ear pads. The movable cups fold inward for storage and transportation.
The curved touchpad on the left side activates the voice assistant. The rest of the controls are on the edge of the right earpiece.
The battery is designed for 12 hours of music playback with noise cancellation enabled. If ANC is turned off, you can safely count on 20-22 hours.
JBL Tune 600BTNC broadcasts clear sound with powerful bass. The device effectively filters out external noise and allows you to answer a call without taking your phone out of your pocket. The model supports multi-point Bluetooth connection.
Skullcandy Riff Wireless
Ergonomic headphones with powerful acoustics
Skullcandy Riff wireless headphones deliver a full range of bass and treble for an unforgettable experience with modern music. And the original palette of colors will allow you to choose custom "ears" to your taste.
Reasons to buy:
- comfortable fit with a tight fit to the ears;
- quick connectivity;
- loud, balanced sound;
- easy operation;
- affordable price.
Skullcandy Riff's lightweight plastic headband is easily adjustable in length, and the movable cups fold inside the rim for storage. The ear cushions are solid and covered in synthetic leather.
The soft perforated surface is perfectly breathable. Because of the weak insulation, you can hear ambient noise, so you can turn up the music volume in public transport - the sound here is powerful enough to drown out the surroundings.
A control system is built into the side panel of the right cup, responsible for selecting music, taking calls, and calling the voice assistant. No wired connection is provided - only Bluetooth is used for communication. The battery life of the headphones is 12 hours.
Features of wireless overhead headphones
The main advantage of wireless "ears" is the absence of tangled cords. To answer the phone or find your favorite music on the playlist, you don't have to reach for your phone: with wireless models, all the basic controls are at your fingertips.
Wireless over-the-ear headphones have a wide range of features and are considered the most versatile. In modern models, which can be called the best, there are such functions:
- multipoint;
- touch control;
- call the voice assistant;
- Active noise cancellation.
One of the most useful features is Multipoint, which wirelessly connects to two devices simultaneously. It is in demand for people who use two smartphones, or a laptop (PC) and a phone to stay connected.
According to the acoustic design, there are closed and open overhead headphones. The first have no external holes in the cups, providing good passive isolation and "rocking" sound. The latter have special holes in the earcups that allow air and ambient noise to pass through.
Closed headphones allow you to concentrate on music or an audiobook, but they fatigue your ears and even cause sweating if you listen for long periods of time. Open earphones broadcast more natural sound, but don't block out your surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose over-the-ear headphones?
Pay attention to technical specifications. A quality accessory meets certain parameters. The optimal frequency range is 18 Hz-20 kHz, sensitivity (volume reserve) 100-120 dB.
A good model should be quite autonomous and portable. It is convenient when it folds up compactly, and the wireless connection is "insured" by a wired connection, if the battery is low. In any case, the format of overhead headphones allows the use of batteries that can provide at least 12 hours of battery life, but it is better that this figure was higher.
Do I need active noise cancellation?
The Active Isolation System is in demand in headphones for travel and public transportation. These headphones will also help if you are working in a noisy office where colleagues interfere with your concentration.
But don't forget that this technology quickly "eats up" battery power. And it can also be dangerous in busy places, as it drowns out all the sounds, including the signals of an approaching car.
Can I use over-the-ear headphones with a TV set?
Yes - they are quite suitable for this purpose, as long as the TV itself supports Bluetooth connection to external devices.
Topicals:
The 5 best gaming headphones with microphone
, The 5 best Nokia headphones
, 5 best Xiaomi headphones
, 5 best headphones for Sony Xperia
, 5 best full-size monitor headphones
, 6 best headphones for jogging
, 8 best wired headphones
, 9 best vacuum headphones
, How to use wireless bluetooth headphones
