Best Wired Over Ear Headphones

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Votes 15 15
Rating 4.3 4.3
Overall Audio features Comfort Control Wireless audio features Wireless connectivity Battery
Audeze LCD-4 8.5 10 7 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price
Audeze LCD-X 8.5 10 7 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price
Audeze LCD-3 8.5 10 7 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x 8.3 7 10 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x 8.2 7 10 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price
HIFIMAN Arya 8 8 7 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price
HIFIMAN SUNDARA 8 9 7 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price
Audio-Technica ATH-M70x 8 9 7 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price
Sennheiser HD 660 S 8 9 7 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price
Sennheiser HD 600 8 9 7 inapt inapt inapt inapt Check price

Although wireless headphones become more and more popular, the wired ones do not disappear from the market. The point is that they have lots of benefits one of which is the price, since a modern pair of wired headphones usually costs cheaper than the relevant device with a Bluetooth connection. But in this article, I am going to show you many more advantages of appliances used with a cable and help with choosing the best wired over ear headphones.

So, what exactly you will find here? I have compared several pairs of headphones based on their technical characteristics, design features, and level of comfort. After reading this, you will be able to make a conclusion about what device you want to buy and why. I have put a lot of effort in order to be as objective as possible. Therefore, here you will see mostly facts which can help you come up with your own opinion.

Wired over ear headphones reviews

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Sennheiser HD 280 PRO - best budget

Our rating
7.5/10

Sennheiser HD 280 PRO

This is a pair of closed-back headphones with an over ear wearing style. They have 64 Ohm of impedance and 113 dB of sensitivity. Real audiophiles are probably wondering about the frequency response. Well, they work in a range of 8 Hz - 25 kHz. This appliance definitely cannot be called heavy since its weight is 220 g/7.8 oz.

Sound

The headphones Sennheiser HD 280 PRO produce an accurate sound with an excellent range of low, mid, and high frequencies. I must say that choral and orchestral music sounds a bit dull and lifeless. What makes this pair special is the perfectly flat sound signature. Fans of heavy bass songs must acknowledge that these are one of the best over ear wired headphones for them as the device provides extra thump. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO

Key specs

Pros

  • The closed-back and circumaural design passively reduces ambient noise significantly
  • The collapsible structure means that the device can be stored in a compact fashion
  • Accurate, clean audio performance across the full frequency range
  • To create a longer-lasting product, the company incorporated replaceable parts
  • With the swiveling ear cups you can engage in single-ear listening or monitoring

Cons

  • More appropriate for professional/studio use than personal listening
  • Bass delivery varies significantly across users
  • Feels too tight on the head and is not breathable

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro - best for the money

Our rating
8/10

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

This over ear device is open-back which lets us expect wide soundstage from this model. But I am going to tell you more about its sound in the next part of the article and now let's take a closer look at the technical features. The model DT 1990 Pro has pretty high impedance which is 250 Ohm. Its sensitivity is average — 102 dB. When it comes to frequency response, the range is incredibly wide — 5 Hz - 40 kHz that means you will hear every detail of the sound. This appliance is heavier than the previous one as it weighs 370 g/13 oz. Keep in mind that these are the cheapest headphones on the list, however, they have pretty satisfying features.

Sound

With regard to the music delivered by Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro, the mid-range has a very even response. Overall, the model offers a balanced audio reproduction of vocals and instruments in the mid-range. Also, you will have pretty deep bass, and decent, however, sharp treble. Low-mid has a slight high-bass overemphasis. Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

Key specs

Pros

  • Two detachable cables included
  • Pretty comfortable fit with removable earpads that offer slightly differing sound signatures
  • Works well with any AMP
  • The velour earpads contain memory foam and should maintain their shape nicely over time
  • Its headband distributes the weight of the headphones evenly across the head

Cons

  • Highs are fatiguing and sibilant at times
  • The open-back ear cups are not able to protect you from any noise, so the headphones leak the sound
  • Can sound a little piercing with very bright tracks

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Our rating
8.3/10

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Another pair of headphones with closed-back design. They have not that wide frequency response — 15 Hz - 28 kHz. Speaking of their sensitivity, this feature is 99 dB. The sound quality is due to impedance as well, the ATH-M50x has 38 Ohm. There is nothing special about the weight of this headphone model — 285 g/10 oz. The considered device is amazing wired over ear headphones for their money.

Sound

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x sound has the right amount of bass. There is sort of a boost and the audio is well-detailed. The vocals having extra energy, it also affects drums and it makes the attack and transience of drums come through in a super punchy way. In the high frequencies, there is a cut at about 8 kHz. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Key specs

Pros

  • Comes with two detachable cables: a coiled one and straight one
  • The ear cups rotate, which means you can lay them flat on your desk or on your chest
  • You get a 3.5 to 6.3 mm adapter with the device
  • In the package, you will find a very nice leather carrying pouch
  • The plastic construction feels quite sturdy as well as flexible
  • The headband has a decent amount of firm foam and stays comfortable over long periods of time

Cons

  • The ear cups are not breathable, therefore your ears do get warm after long listening sessions
  • No integrated volume remote control
  • Does not offer as realistic a sound as models with open design

Audeze LCD-X - best premium

Our rating
8.5/10

Audeze LCD-X

This is already the second pair of open-back headphones in my comparison. They have only 20 Ohm of impedance but their frequency response is much more impressive since it is 10 Hz - 50 kHz. With regard to sensitivity, it is 130 dB in this case. The last thing about Audeze LCD-X I would like to mention is the weight which is 635 g/22.4 oz. This figure is double bigger than the weight of the other considered appliances. Audeze LCD-X are the greatest premium wired headphones on this list.

Sound

Audeze LCD-X provides incredibly strong and deep bass without being overly thick or boomy. And the detail on the top-end really does continue down to the bass response. These headphones treble is managed perfectly, it is just bright enough to maintain detail and clarity. Audeze LCD-X

Key specs

Pros

  • The headband is pretty flexible and it makes the device suitable for any head size
  • The clamping force is solid, so it feels secure on the head
  • The audio cable is detachable and it does not get tangled
  • The earpads are filled with plenty of memory foam that feels really pleasant on the ears
  • Has ultra-thin diaphragm which makes the sounds very dynamic

Cons

  • Definitely too heavy for wearing for long listening sessions
  • Does not fold
  • Due to the open-back design, they do leak sound

Wired over ear headphones pros and cons

Advantages and disadvantages of wired headphones over wireless

Pros

  • Armed with a 3.5 mm cable, a user of a wired device will not have to worry about software compatibility problems of the wireless counterparts
  • You can connect your wired appliance to older devices that do not support Bluetooth, such as an older Hi-Fi system, CD player, TV or record player
  • Wireless headphones are constrained by battery life and inevitably need charging, while wired headphones do not have battery and time of their work is not limited

Cons

  • Wireless does not mean boundless, yet for the most part permits a lot higher scope of movement, up to 8-9 meters regarding the producer of sound, whilst with a wired device you can move within a radius of 2-3 meters
  • If you spend time at the gym or run on the open road, then the wire might preclude you

Advantages and disadvantages of over ear headphones over on-ear

Pros

  • Since they sit above your entire ear, forming more of a seal, they let in much less sound, while the on ear device can disturb others if you turn up the volume too loudly
  • Sometimes a really great sound you can get is possible with open-back headphones that must be over ear

Cons

  • In case you want to have a pair portable headphones, however, you do not like in-ear ones, then on ear design would be great for you
  • Comfort is a huge benefit for on ear models since they usually do not “sweat” as much as over ear phones
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