On-Ear Headphones

Listening to music while traveling or during a workout is one tactic to pass the time, and on-ear headphones offer a way to listen to playlists in private. Lightweight and portable, these headphones have small ear pads that sit on top of the outer part of the ear to create a dynamic sound. There are a variety of choices of headphones and other audio equipment at Staples®.

Options for On-Ear Headphones
The on-ear audio equipment uses noise cancellation or noise isolation as a way to reduce background noise while you're streaming music or watching a movie on your device. Noise-canceling headphones have microphones built into the headset that detect any noise on the outside. Using an electronic signal process, the headphones deliver an anti-noise signal to cancel out the external noise so all that's left is the music or sound flowing through the headphones.

Noise-isolation headphones work like soundproofing and rely on an ergonomic construction to block out as much external noise as possible. In-ear headphones employ this method by blocking out sound once the headphone is inserted into the ear.

Other Items to Consider With On-Ear Headphones
On-ear audio equipment comes in an array of colors and styles to suit users' personal preferences. Controls on the side of the headphones make it easy to switch tracks, adjust the volume, and even take calls without picking up a cell phone or media device. Adjustable bands make it easy to custom fit the headphones, and thickly padded ear cushions keep the ears comfortable when listening to music on long trips.

Choose wireless headphones for freedom of movement or wired headphones for reliable sound. Small on-ear communication headsets are ideal for conference calls or for answering business calls. These headphones also work well for computer gamers when chatting with other players.

Is There a Difference in Quality Between Wired and Wireless On-Ear Headphones?
Typically, Bluetooth® headphones offer the same sound quality a pair of wired headphones offers. To maintain excellent sound quality on Bluetooth headphones, it's important to stay within the suggested range and to avoid barriers between the connected device and the headphones.

What Is the Difference Between Open-Back and Closed-Back On-Ear Headphones?
Closed-back headphones have a solid exterior that blocks out external noises within the room. Larger over-the-ear models are more efficient in isolating noise than smaller designs, but both reduce the amount of sound that leaks out from the headphones. Open-back headphones sound more airy and clear. Sound tends to leak out of the back, so others in the area can still hear the music depending on how high the volume is. Open-back designs are useful when you listen to music in private but still need to be aware of external noise around you.

How Do On-Ear Headphones Work?
Headphones work the same way loudspeakers do by using magnetism to turn electrical energy into sound. Loudspeakers move the air within the room while headphones move the air within the ear canal. On-ear headphones are basically two small loudspeakers built into enclosures that are worn on top of the ear.