Closed-back vs. Open back headphones? Which is best?
Actually, they are very different, not in terms of sound quality (as they both sound very similar), but rather, for what they are designed for, how they were designed and what their main goal is.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| AKG Pro Audio K92 Over-Ear | Best Overall |  |
| Shure SRH145m+ Portable Collapsible Headphones | Budget Pick |  |
| Ultrasone Edition 8 Palladium S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Closed-back Headphones | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. AKG Pro Audio K92 Over-Ear
Pros:
- Impeccable sound quality
- Bass-craving listeners can easily customize the sound via equalizer settings
- Professional-grade audio quality
- Budget-friendly price tag
Cons:
- Heavier headphones that may cause discomfort for some users
- Cable is a bit short if you’re planning to use these for studio sessions
- Not quite appropriate for recording with
The AKG K92 headphones from Pro Audio are a budget-busting option for audiophiles or anyone else who prefers closed-back headphones for private listening. These headphones have an impressive frequency response range of 15 – 25,000 Hz, so you can always enjoy your music even at low volumes.
The K92 headphones have an impedance rating of 40 ohms. This means they will deliver quality sound that’s optimized for your portable devices without any additional hardware. But as far as sound quality is concerned, you can expect some serious bass from the K92s.
These are closed-back headphones, meaning they don’t leak sound and prevent you from being distracted when listening to your music. Each pair comes with a generous 10-foot cable for long playback sessions.
2. Status Audio CB-1 Closed Back Studio Monitor Headphones
Pros:
- Equipped with large 50mm drivers for great sound quality
- Highly adjustable for a comfortable fit
- The closed back design helps to provide isolation from the rest of the world
- Offers impressive audio quality for the price
- Very comfortable for extended use
- Looks professional and doesn’t attract attention
- Looks good for the price
- Offers a solid bass without making the headphones feel heavy
- Lightweight and relatively comfortable
- Durable and sturdy
Cons:
- No carrying case
- Not the best option if you like to hear others around you
- Comes with basic in-line microphone and remote
- Ear cushion material starts to deteriorate after a few months of use
The CB-1 are some of the best affordable headphones for music production, mainly because they offer great value for money. The closed back design helps to make these headphones more suitable for professional use in a studio setting.
3. LyxPro HAS-30 Closed Back Over-Ear Professional Recording Headphones
Pros:
- Soft ear pads for comfort
- Detachable cord for easy storage
- Extra cushioning
- Lightweight
- Bass boost switch
- High-quality sound
We don’t think you’ll have any problems finding the best closed back headphones for recording and producing. We’ve chosen LyxPro HAS-30 Closed Back Over-Ear Professional Recording Headphones for Studio Monitoring, DJ and Home Entertainment, Black, as they are the most popular option.
The padding on the ear cups and headband is soft, so your ears will be comfortable for long hours of use. The LyxPro HAS-30 headphones are ideal for studio monitoring as they have a closed ear design. This makes them ideal for reducing noise without affecting the sound quality.
These headphones are built for durability and last a long time even with regular use. They are lightweight too, weighing just 1.5 pounds, which makes them comfortable to wear during extended sessions. The ear cups fold up for easy storage. The headband also folds inwards for more compact transport.
4. Shure SRH145m+ Portable Collapsible Headphones
Pros:
- Great sound quality
- Noise isolating
- Built-in microphone & playback controls
- Lightweight and portable
- Padded headband and earcups with breathable protein leather
- Budget-friendly price
Closed back headphones are a top choice for DJs and audiophiles and although you will not be able to purchase perfectly isolating cans for your home-studio monitor, most closed back earbuds are enough to cover you for long-term use. However, if you insist on more, then you can always head out for excellent high-end cans like the Shure SRH145m+ Portable Collapsible Headphones.
These Chcago-based cans deliver exceptional performance alongside flexible design for mobile use. The headphones are made from a mixture of glossy plastic with metal accents. The earcups themselves are padded with a breathable protein leather that isn’t too tight or too loose. The headphones also feature a flexible swivel design which allows them to collapse easily and fit into a travel bag.
The headphones also come with a sturdy travel pouch so you can carry them along in your laptop bag or in your luggage. This means that you can have them while you’re on a plane or on a train.
5. Ultrasone Edition 5 Unlimited S-Logic EX Surround Sound Professional Closed-back Headphones
Pros:
- Extreme comfort
- Great audio quality
- Affordable
- Closed-back for isolation and extra bass
- Comes with a lot of accessories
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a warranty
- Some reports of the case cracking after just a few months
Cleaning Cloth, 6.3mm Adapter, Stainless Steel Earpieces and Cable
Ultrasone is a well-known company that makes high-quality headphones. They have quite a few headphones, but this one is highly reviewed among audiophiles as one of the best closed-back headphones that you can get if you’re looking for higher quality. If you’re looking for the best value for money without compromising quality, then this is it! It’s aimed at professionals, but you can absolutely use this for personal listening as well.
The version of the music is perfect for professional use, especially in multi-channel sound environments. It’s built with the S-Logic Natural Surround Sound technology, so you can actually feel what you hear, instead of just hearing it. The bass sound is also strengthened by a technology they call S-Logic Bass. This really gives you more control of the bass and makes the whole perception a lot deeper.
6. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Closed-Back Headphones
Pros:
- Best bang for the buck
- Comfortable light-weight design
- Great noise-cancelling technology
- Immersive sound quality
- Plugs into any audio device with included jack
Cons:
- Not ideal for sweaty workouts
- Wired design limits mobility
- Audio quality
- May hurt ears after long-term use
One of the best noise cancelling headphone on the market is the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Closed-Back Headphones.
This is the best noise cancelling headphone you can find under 100 dollars. The active noise cancelation blocks more noise than average in-ear earphones. If you want a headphone with premium quality yet affordable price, the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling is the best choice for you.
These headphones will give you an immersive listening experience. You can totally enjoy the private time with your music or movie without any distractions from the outside. Either use the portable audio device or plug it into the airplane adapter. It’s a perfect headphone set for travelers. An added plus is that even if you decide to take a break between your flights, the ATH-ANC7B can be used to cancel out sound on the ground as well.
7. Philips SHL3060BK/28 Philips SHL3060BK/28 DJ Style Headphones Black
Pros:
- Volume limiting for safety
- Excellent sound quality
- The closed-back ear cups deliver a more punchy sound
- Designed by 3D sound experts
- Audio performance tailored specifically for gamers.
- Comfort is a huge plus
- The build quality is fairly good
- Lightweighted design
Cons:
- The comfort is highly subjective
- Ear cups are made of plastic which reduces the build quality
- The plastic earcups might cause sweating
- The wires are pretty thin
- Bass response is nothing to rave about
There are plenty of reasons to invest in a pair of closed-back headphones, especially if you love gaming. The best reason is that these headphones will choke external noise out, so you can get into your gaming zone and focus on the sound that’s coming from the headset, which makes them ideal for competitive playing.
The headset delivers punchy bass and clear mids, but won’t give you a booming bass sound. It’s not designed for bass heads, but the sound quality can be considered above average for the price range you’re paying.
8. Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Closed Back Headphone
Pros:
- Exceptional audio quality
- Super comfortable
- Durable
- Comes fully equipped with foam ear pads, a padded headband with stainless steel sliders, a 6.3mm connector, a 3.5mm to ¼" adapter, a Sennheiser cable, and a Sennheiser protective carrying case
- Adjustable velour ear pads provide a comfortable fit and a secure fit with the sliders
- Closed-back design isolates listeners from background noise
When you want to listen to your music, you want to be able to do it without being disturbed by the noises of the world around you. You want to be able to enjoy your music in peace. The Sennheiser HD-598s closed-back headphones are designed to do just that: allow you to experience the exceptional audio quality of your music in total comfort.
These headphones feature a closed-back design that isolates the sound and keeps outside sounds out. The closed-back design is designed to work with pretty much any kind of music you want to listen to, and is perfect regardless of the intensity of your listening experience. The headphones are the perfect fit for anyone looking for great sound quality and superb comfort.
9. Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones
10. Philips SHP2600/27 Over Ear Headphones
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- Stylish, elegant design
- Comfortable ear cushions
- Great sound quality
Final Verdict:
The Philips SHP2600/27 Over-Ear Headphones are a great pair of closed-back headphones that won’t cost you a lot of money. They’re stylish as well as comfortable, and you’ll love their sound quality. They’re also very durable and should last you a long time.
The ear pads are made from a very soft material, so you won’t experience any discomfort from wearing this pair. In addition, these headphones provide great sound isolation, so you don’t have to worry about listening to the conversations of those around you.
11. Ultrasone Edition 8 Palladium S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Closed-back Headphones
Pros:
- Very well made and come in a nice box
- High quality audio and great detail
- Features ear-pad material that's breathable
- Features leather-cushioned ear cups
- Available in gray or black color
- Gold-plated cable that's very thick and durable
- 2-year warranty from the manufacturer
Cons:
- The ear cups are a bit small
- Quite expensive for a closed back pair
Sennheiser is an industry leader when it comes to best closed back headphones. However, it is usually quite expensive. If that’s a trend you want to break, you should look into the Ultrasone Edition 8. These excellent headphones have a classic look, feels great on the ears, and offer a stellar sound.
It’s super easy to use as there’s only one switch on the main cable. You can easily choose between listening to music or using it to talk on the phone. It’s important to note that this device can be used for your listening pleasure as well as a communication device.
Conclusion
When it comes to buying headphones, the one thing that should be your primary concern is the quality of sound that you will get in the headphones you intend to buy.
When the first product you intend to buy has failed you, you’ll look for another brand or style and that’s when you will find this guide with the best recommendations.
The key to buying the best closed back headphones for your needs is to know exactly what you’re looking for in terms of features, sound quality, and overall comfort.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| AKG Pro Audio K92 Over-Ear | Best Overall | |
| Shure SRH145m+ Portable Collapsible Headphones | Budget Pick | |
| Ultrasone Edition 8 Palladium S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Closed-back Headphones | Upgrade Pick | |