On-ear headphones defined

On-ear and over-ear are two very related phrases to explain two very related headphones, however with some key variations. In case you’re in search of a pair of headphones that sit in your head with a scarf and canopy your ear, you won’t make sure precisely what “on-ear” even means. Aren’t all of them in your ear, anyway?

On-ears have definitely misplaced a number of recognition through the years, since over-ear headphones have taken over because the gold normal for premium headphones. On-ears are likely to run a bit cheaper and may need fewer options, or is perhaps extra of a nostalgic factor moderately than a sensible pair of headphones. However this, like most issues on this planet of audio, is totally different individual to individual, and may be subjective. Whereas the design is constant, the way in which that design model is acquired by the wearer will differ.

What are on-ear headphones like?

On-ears are distinct in that they sit on prime of your ear, moderately than having the ear cup go round your ear like they do with over-ear headphones. The design having smaller ear cups permits these headphones to typically be extra transportable and extra simply folded, and in the end extra compact. You’ll be able to carry them round simply and put them on throughout your commute or at work after which put them again in your bag. The best way they sit in your ear may also make them extra snug when you’ve got piercings, since they won’t push down on sure elements of your ear lobe or helix.

Nonetheless, the way in which they sit on the ear does make them doubtlessly much less snug for individuals who put on glasses. All of the stress of the ear cups lies instantly on the ear, so the way in which it presses down can compress the stem of your glasses in opposition to your head and ear, inflicting ache after a short time. Personally, as an individual who wears glasses, I can solely tolerate sporting most on-ear headphones for about half an hour earlier than the ache begins to trouble me.

The on-ear design additionally means you will not get a lot, if in any respect, passive isolation from a lot of these headphones. Isolation is achieved with a superb seal across the ear, or contained in the ear canal with in-ears. However as a result of there’s nothing being sealed with on-ear headphones, exterior noise can get in actually simply, making it doubtlessly more durable to listen to the sounds coming out of your headphones, and simpler to listen to all the things happening round you in your setting.

This additionally signifies that on-ears with noise cancelling will not be as efficient as over-ears or in-ears. Noise cancelling depends not solely on the microphones inside the headphones to create anti-noise to cancel out droning frequencies, however passive isolation is necessary with the intention to make sure the noise does not leak in in any other case. So in case your seal is not nice, the noise cancellation may be rendered almost ineffective.

However because of this imperfect seal, on-ears may be actually breathable, which is definitely far more snug for some folks. As a result of they do not seal nicely across the ear, which means that you will not have any unusual air stress build-up emotions sporting them, and so they will not really feel as scorching and sweaty as over-ears can get on a scorching day or after prolonged use.

Associated

I’ve now tested both on-ear and over-ear headphones, and there’s a clear winner

On-ear headphones have been nice for informal use, however over-ear headphones have my coronary heart.

Must you get on-ear headphones?

Everybody goes to need one thing totally different from their headphones, and what works for one individual won’t essentially give you the results you want. When you’ve got a number of piercings or need breathability over noise isolation and sound high quality, on-ears are in all probability a good selection for you. However if you wish to have the most effective sound doable, need lively noise cancelling headphones that work rather well, or put on glasses, on-ears won’t be the best choice. The easiest way to know what the best choice is can be to exit and take a look at a number of pairs of headphones on and see how they really feel in your head. Not all headphones are made the identical, and a few on-ears could also be extra snug than others.