Over ear headphones sit around your ears rather than pressing directly on them or sitting inside the ear canal. The larger earcups can give you more room for comfortable padding, stronger passive isolation and a fuller bass response.
They are a popular choice for long listening sessions, travel, gaming and studio work. If you are deciding between different styles, browse the wider headphones range to compare your options.
Choose Between Open and Closed Back
The back of the earcup changes how headphones sound and how much outside noise gets through.
Open-back headphones allow air and sound to move through the earcups. This can create a wider, more natural sense of space, making them popular for home listening and some mixing work. They leak sound and offer little isolation, so they are not ideal for commuting or recording near a live microphone.
Closed-back headphones keep more sound inside the earcups and block more outside noise. They suit travel, everyday listening, studio recording and monitoring when you do not want your audio spilling into the room.
Know What Noise Cancelling Can Do
Passive isolation comes from the physical seal around your ears. Active noise cancelling, or ANC, uses microphones and processing to reduce outside sound.
ANC works particularly well with steady, low-frequency sounds such as aircraft engines and transport noise. Sudden voices and changing sounds can be harder to remove completely.
Many ANC headphones also have transparency or ambient modes that let outside sound back in when you need to hear announcements or talk to someone.
Compare Wireless and Wired Listening
Bluetooth makes wireless headphones convenient for phones, computers and travel. Different Bluetooth codecs affect how audio is transmitted, but sound quality also depends on the headphones and source device.
Wired headphones remove Bluetooth compression from the connection and do not rely on wireless battery life. On wireless models, check whether a cable can be used as a fallback when the battery runs low.
For more technical models, consider:
- Drivers: Size and design influence how the headphones reproduce sound, but bigger does not automatically mean better.
- Frequency response: Describes the range of frequencies the headphones can reproduce.
- Impedance: Higher-impedance headphones may need more power than a phone or laptop can provide comfortably.
- Amplifiers and DACs: Can be useful with demanding headphones or when you want a dedicated wired listening setup.
Find a Pair You Can Wear for Hours
Comfort becomes much more noticeable during long sessions. Weight, clamping force, headband adjustment and the shape of the earcups all affect how a pair feels.
Earpads may use fabric, leather or synthetic materials, each with a different feel and level of heat build-up. Replaceable pads can extend the useful life of your headphones, while folding earcups make larger models easier to pack for travel.
If portability matters more than full-size earcups, compare in ear headphones or true wireless earbuds.
Shop Over Ear Headphones at digiDirect
digiDirect stocks over ear headphones from everyday wireless and noise cancelling models to wired studio reference options from recognised brands. Shop Australian stock with applicable warranty coverage, digiDirect's Price Match Guarantee and Click & Collect options depending on availability.
You can also explore gaming headsets and speakers for other ways to listen.
FAQs
Do over ear headphones cause less ear fatigue than in ear?
They can for some people because nothing sits inside the ear canal. Padded earcups also spread pressure across a wider area. Comfort still depends on fit, weight and clamping force.
Can noise cancelling headphones be used without the noise cancelling on?
Usually, yes. Many models let you turn ANC off or switch to an ambient mode. Check the individual model, as controls and available modes vary.
Do headphones need to be burned in before they sound their best?
There is limited evidence that headphone drivers need a long burn-in period. Your perception may change as you get used to a new pair. Judge them on how they sound and feel during normal listening.
Will over ear headphones leak sound to people nearby?
They can. Open-back models intentionally let sound escape, while closed-back headphones usually contain it much better. High listening volumes can still cause some leakage.
How do I stop earpads from cracking over time?
Keep them clean and avoid storing your headphones in hot or humid conditions. Wipe away sweat and oils after use with a suitable soft cloth. Replace worn earpads if your headphones allow it.
