Over-Ear Headphones
If you wish to visualize what over-ear headphones look and feel like, it is simple. Imagine the earmuffs that are used in shooting ranges and imagine placing them over your ears. Over-ear headphones are fashioned in such a way that the speakers are cupped by some form of padding; foam or rubber are some materials that are commonly used for this purpose. Here the entire is ear is covered. Similar to on-ear headphones, an adjustable band made of either metal or plastic is connected to the speakers and positioned over one’s head. The thickness of the band varies depending on the model of the headphones. The cords used for this type of headphone are usually quite thick and may not offer any protection against the noise that is created when the cable bumps against an object.
Over-ear headphones are a preferred choice for many disc jockeys and professionals involved in sound production. They are also the type of headphones utilized in environments such as audio labs which are used for learning different languages. Even bulkier than on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones are obviously the least portable of the three main types of headphones. They are, however, a wise choice if your goal is to drown out the world around you; whether you are in a crowded airport or at home in your living room. They offer a great sense of privacy; as they perform both the jobs of keeping the world outside from hearing what you are listening to, and keeping out the noise that is being created by the atmosphere around you. One advantage of over-ear headphones, especially in comparison to in-ear headphones, is the extreme comfort that they provide. Many users report feeling very low levels of discomfort even after having worn over-ear headphones for a long period of time. That said, over-ear headphones are probably a good choice for you if you plan to listen to your music for more than a few hours.
If you feel that over-ear headphones are the right choice for your listening needs, I highly recommend the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro Headphones. Priced at $79.85, these come in either black or silver and boast a 4.5 star review on Amazon. While the aesthetics of these headphones may not appeal to a universal audience, the design of these headphones is so dynamic that they offer up to 32 dB attenuation of external sound. Note that noise-cancelling headphones ought to be used with caution—for instance; do not use these while biking on an open road. While there is no harm in getting pleasure out of your listening experience, your safety should also come first.
Also, while the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro Headphones may appear quite large and bulky, they are actually quite lightweight and weigh only one pound. Yet another surprise, Sennheiser HD-280 Pro Headphones are very convenient to lug around as the earpieces are collapsible. This means that they can easily fit into your backpack, purse or even your briefcase. Given their hefty price tag, you want to be sure that the product will last. Here’s the new good news: the ear pads, headband padding, and the audio cord are all replaceable.
Another pair of over-ear headphones that I highly recommend is the Grado Prestige Series SR80i Stereo Headphone. These have also garnered 4.5 stars based on reviews by Amazon customers. The sound produced by the speakers is nothing short of superb and the large ear cushions make the listening experience very comfortable for the user. Improved bass resonance is one of the highlights of these remarkable earphones. If you cannot make a choice between these two headphones, read up on the reviews as they just might help you make a better decision.
