Also known as supra-aural, over the ear headphones, or around ear headphones, On Ear headphones are designed to have the earpads rest on the ear. Because of this, they are also called earpad headphones. On-ear headphones typically serve as fantastic travel companions for those who prefer not to put earphones inside their ears. Although they are larger than in-ear headphones, they can prove more comfortable for some people, particularly those with smaller ears. In addition, over the ear headphones provide better sound quality for professionals such as DJs, and for people who enjoy getting the full sound experience when listening to their favorite music. Read more
Over the ear headphones are the most traditional style of headphones in terms of appearance. Unlike the over ear headphones of the past, however, which tended to be heavy and cumbersome, today the best around ear headphones are lightweight and comfortable for the wearer. They also come in various styles and fits. For example, some around ear headphones are designed to fit with the band situated behind the head, while others rest over the top of the head. For people who need to move around while wearing their headphones for either work or pleasure, they may find that wireless headphones are a practical choice for good over ear headphones.
Selecting the best over ear headphones depends partly on an individual's listening needs. For people who prefer to listen to music that has a natural sound quality, open-back headphones are the best around ear headphones. These over ear headphones are made so that the backs of the ear cups are open. A potential down side of this type of headphone is that the wearer will be able to hear outside sound with the headphones on. The best over ear headphones for people who want to capture and hear all of the sound are called closed-back headphones. These types of around ear headphones are designed so that the ear cups are completely closed. This ensures that all of the sound is entering the ear and reduces the amount of outside noise that the wearer hears while the headphones are on. If a consumer is uncertain which type are good over ear headphones for their needs, they should consider what they use their headphones for, how they prefer to hear the sound, and the noise level of their usual environment. When shopping for the best around ear headphones, consumers will find numerous brands to choose from. Good over ear headphones are manufactured by brands which specialize in wonderful, travel-ready on ear headphones include Soul by Ludacris, Beats by Dre, Sony, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Polk Audio, Klipsch and Phiaton. Grado Labs, in particular, has made an art out of the earpad design for over ear headphones, creating several reference-grade models which sit on the ear. For more information on buying the best over ear headphones, please visit our buyer's guide for more information on on-ear headphones.