overear

Over-ear, or circumaural, headphones are a type of headphones designed to encircle the listener's ears rather than rest on top of them. The ear cups enclose the entire pinna, creating a seal that can improve sound isolation and enable larger drivers than on-ear models. The term over-ear is commonly used in consumer audio to distinguish this style from on-ear and in-ear formats.

Construction typically includes a headband connecting two padded cups, with cushioning and materials such as leatherette or fabric. Drivers commonly range from about 40 to 50 millimeters, though sizes vary. Headphones may be wired or wireless, and may be labeled as closed-back, which provides passive isolation, or open-back, which allows air and sound to escape and offers a more expansive soundstage but less isolation. Some models add active noise cancellation (ANC).

Comfort and durability depend on weight, clamping force, and padding. Over-ear designs aim to reduce pressure on the ear cartilage during long listening sessions, though heavier models can cause fatigue. They are widely used for home listening, professional monitoring, gaming, and travel, with open-back models favored for critical listening and closed-back for travel or noisy environments.

Care and use: store in a case, avoid excessive moisture, clean pads and grilles periodically. Compatibility varies with impedance; portable devices may drive low-impedance sets (16–32 ohms) more easily, while higher-impedance models (around 50–600 ohms) benefit from a dedicated headphone amplifier or audio interface.