Are you on the hunt for headphones that are great to travel with? How about some headphones that can handle the noise?
If you’re looking for the most versatile type of headphones on the market, closed-back headphones are where your eyes and ears should be. This is because they can be used it a variety of situations where open back headphones won’t do the trick.
Closed-back cans are great for isolating your sound, and whether you’re in the studio, on the plane, or at your favorite coffee shop, we would highly recommend them over open back.
Come with us on this audio journey and take a look at what we consider to be the best closed-back headphones!
Contents
Features to Consider Before Buying
Closed-back headphones are essentially over-ear headphones (otherwise known as circum-aural headphones) that wrap around your ears and have hard, solid backs to isolate noise.
They typically have a louder and more detailed sound signature and are incredibly comfortable.
That being said, while they all provide the same basic functionality, there are many features to consider when looking to purchase that you may have never thought of.
Drivers
Drivers are pretty much the primary component in headphones and are the converters of electrical signal, that turn what was once inaudible into something our ears can perceive.
Some types of drivers that you might find in headphones include:
- Moving Coil (Dynamic) Drivers
- Balanced Armature Drivers
- Planar Magnetic Drivers
- Electrostatic Drivers
Don’t let the driver jargon confuse you. The biggest thing you should worry about is the size. The bigger the size of a driver, the more likely it will be able to produce louder sound and better bass frequencies.
So, if you are looking for closed headphones with louder sound and better bass response, look for ones with drivers on the higher end of 30-50mm.
But a bigger driver doesn’t necessarily mean better quality, so also keep that in mind.
Frequency Response
If you want to hear the entire range of sonic frequencies in your favorite vintage recording, you’ll need closed-back headphones with a wide frequency response.
Frequency Response is the range of frequencies that headphones can faithfully replicate the highs, lows, and mids, between the human hearing range of 20HZ and 20kHZ.
A wider frequency response will better handle the music the headphones are fed, making for a much more accurate overall tone.
Imaging
Have you ever listened to a live recording of a band in headphones and felt that you could hear the placement of each instrument in your mind?
That’s probably because those headphones had excellent imaging.
Closed headphones with great imaging properties help to place sonic elements in their proper places on the ‘virtual stage’ for separation and clarity in sound.
Noise Cancellation
While closed headphones are certainly much better at isolating outside sound than open back headphones, they don’t all necessarily have noise cancellation features.
closed-back headphones with active noise cancelling technology use a tiny microphone to pick up external noise and then produce the opposite frequency of that outside noise to cancel it out.
Have a noisy air conditioner?
Sick of hearing the drone of the airplane you’re on?
Try and look for headphones with noise cancellation on the label!
Check the Scenario!
Now that you have the essential understanding of closed-back headphone components and the choices you can make, you now have to consider what headphones will be best in your primary use.
Unfortunately, there are no ‘universal’ headphones, and most excel in one aspect while failing in another. Let’s take a look at where you might be using your headphones.
The Office
There are pretty much two main factors you should be considering when looking to purchase closed headphones for the office:
- Comfort
- Noise Cancellation
Headphones that you end up wearing for a 9-hour day, if uncomfortable, can feel like an absolute burden to put on. Look for headphones with extra padding on the band and ear cups.
As for noise cancellation, you’ll probably need that to drown out the sound of Richard in the next cubicle who inconveniently likes to play Fortnite with his speakers at full blast.
The cool thing is, any closed-back cans you purchase for the office will most likely be great for flying as well, especially if you aim to get the best of the two qualities above.
Gaming
Gaming headphones are truly in a realm of their own.
You don’t need the same frequency response or overall sound quality, as you’re not trying to hear the hum of those sweet analog synths or slapback delay on that sultry vocal.
What you do need is imaging.
Think about trying to listen for the incoming enemy’s footsteps or where on the map the gunfire is coming from. Imaging, as we mentioned above, can help provide the perfect stereo representation for clarity.
Though not AS important, you should consider closed-back headphones with a good bass frequency response for gaming as well.
Sound FX like ‘booms’ and ‘crashes’ typically have lots of low-frequency material. Want to really ‘feel’ those sounds? You’ll need that extra push in the bass region.
Working Out
Some great music can take your workout sesh from eh to epic, meaning you really should consider having a solid pair of workout headphones.
While many gym rats resort to in-ear headphones, more and more we are starting to see an army of closed cans at the gym.
There are two main characteristics you’ll likely want in a pair of closed-back headphones for working out:
- Wireless
- Sweat-Proof
Working out with wireless headphones is the best option if you have maneuverability and portability in mind.
No more fussing around with a long cable while your running or having it wrap around the barbell as you lift it.
Headphones that are labeled as sweat proof won’t short out as you start to get sweaty or slip off your head as things heat up.
Our Favorite Closed-Back Headphones (by Budget)
Best Under $500
Good For: Studio Monitoring
Features: 40mm Neodymium Drivers, OFC Cable, Dual Exit Cables
If you’re in the market for headphones that can provide a pure sound, great for studio monitoring, Shure SRH1540 Premiums are an excellent choice. They ensure accuracy over boosted frequencies meaning you have controlled highs, mids, and lows. They also have thick memory foam that is very effective in isolating the sound. Whether you are mixing and trying to block out the sound from outside, or tracking and trying to prevent leakage into the microphone, Shure SRH1540s a premium option for under $500.
Good For: Casual Listening, Travel
Features: 45mm Neodymium Drivers, Bluetooth 4.1, 16-Hour Battery Life
Even though they don’t have the same brand recognition as Shure, Master & Dynamic have made quite a name for themselves with their closed-back headphones. Their MW60 Wireless headphones are constructed with premium materials and are VERY durable for Bluetooth headphones. If you’re looking for quality headphones that have style and aesthetic, these might be your best bet. You can choose to listen wired if you’d like and they also come with a nice carrying case to store up when they’re not in use.
Best Under $400
Good For: Office Use, Travel
Features: Digital Noise Cancellation, 30-Hour Battery Life, Touch Control
While Bose was at the top of the ‘noise canceling’ market for quite some time after their introduction of the QC35s, Sony flipped the script when they introduced their WH-1000 Noise Cancelling cans. With a sleek headband and easily one of the best sounding noise canceling systems around, these are a great choice for someone looking to block out the outside world in style. As for the sound, it’s incredibly detailed without hype in any particular frequency, making them great for isolated and relaxed music listening.
Good For: Office Use, Travel
Features: 45mm Neodymium Drivers, Leather & Stainless Steel, Inline Mic
Though these aren’t the greatest in terms of sound quality, they are easily one of the most stylish headphones on our list. With premium leather, stainless steel, and aluminum, these luxury headphones were built at the Master & Dynamic standard, meaning you can be sure they’ll last you forever. There’s no hype in the sound on these. It’s best explained as a warm and smooth sound if anything. They also do an excellent job at providing isolation while on the move.
Good For: Office Use, Travel
Features: Wireless, Noise-Cancellation, Volume-Optimized EQ
Bose is world renowned for their noise canceling technology and arguably has the best technology in the world. If you want excellent sound quality and in complete silence, these headphones are the way to go. Perfect for at home listening or travel (since they are wireless), it’s hard to find a more comfortable and quiet experience with a pair of headphones. You also have tons of control with the integrated smartphone app that lets you control device pairing and settings personalization in one intuitive interface.
Best Under $300
Good For: Office Use, Gaming
Features: 45mm True Motion Drivers, Memory Foam Ear Pads, DEtachable Cables
These headphones have been around for quite some time now and are still one of the best in closed cans today. The wildly detailed sound is owed to the impressive frequency response and pro imaging. They almost have the sound of open back headphones around the same price point. Even with the excellent sound, Audio-Technica did not decide to skimp out in the aesthetics department. With a classy and stylish black, brown, or grey designs, these headphones give you a luxury look for an excellent price.
Good For: Travel, Office Use
Features: 3-Button Apple Remote Control, Swivelling Headphones
Looking for something a bit more portable that can still deliver a mighty sound? The T51i’s from Beyerdynamic give you much more than you would expect. For many, carrying around bulky closed-back headphones isn’t an option, though risking sound quality isn’t an option either. Luckily, BeyerDynamic gave us crisp highs and punchy lows wrapped up in a set of headphones you could easily stow in your backpack. Oh yea, they also come with a metal headband and metal earcup casings to keep your headphones in shape.
Good For: Gaming
Features: 50mm Dual-Diaphragm Driver, 1-Button Mic Cable, Steel Frame
V-MODA headphones are not headphones that you see around very often. That’s because they only have a few models out there. That being said, their M-100 models are very high-end sounding for the price. With 50mm drivers, you get a wide and clear sound with some seriously righteous bass reproduction that you can’t get with many headphones in this price range. They also have a crazy cool look with the sleek black and red accents. A solid choice for the audiophiles and fashionistas alike, the M-100s from V-MODA are a clean, comfortable, and cool set of cans for wherever you’re listening.
Best Under $200
Good For: Studio Monitoring, Office Use
Features: 45mm Large-Aperture Drivers, 90-Degree Swivel Cups, Interchangeable Cables
Whether you’re monitoring sound at the studio or working a 9-hour day at the office, the ATH-M50x headphones from Audio-Technica will always be an excellent choice. We LOVE the fact that it comes with an interchangeable cable. That way you can use a short one for when you’re working at your laptop and a long one for when you’re tracking some guitars. They have a very reliable build and unreal sonic performance for the price range with 45mm drivers that capture soaring highs and rumbling lows.
Good For: Studio Monitoring, Casual Listening
Features: Interchangeable Cables, Velour Ear Pads
Sennheiser has pretty much shaped the audio industry for a large part as they are constantly innovating and upgrading their products. Not only do these headphones provide incredible sound quality, but they also effectively cancel out noise from the outside. This way you can get clean, accurate, and natural sound without being disturbed or disturbing others. Sennheiser decided to make the HD 598s unique in that you can also answer calls with the in-line button control and built-in cable microphone. Need a low-cost pair of studio cans? The Sennheiser HD 598 Cs’s are some of the best.
Good For: Travel, Working Out
Features: Bluetooth, 40-Hour Battery Life, Built-In Mic / Volume Control
Bluetooth used to be the butt of jokes for audiophiles everywhere. In recent years, many Bluetooth headphones manufacturers have stepped up the game to provide true, wireless sound. One of those pairs of headphones that do it quite well is Audio-Technica’s ATH SR5BTWH’s. They have a close-to-flat frequency response and are comfortable enough to be worn around all day. You can also get close to 40 hours of listening time in a single charge which is stable compared to most. If you choose, you can also use the wire to connect as well.
Best Under $100
Good For: Studio Monitoring
Features: Coiled Cable, Near Flat Frequency Response
Just like their microphones, Shure makes some quality and durable headphones. If you’re looking for great studio cans that are budget-friendly, these are an excellent choice. The fit with these is exceptionally comfortable with an adjustable headband, the phones are collapsible for easy storage, and the clarity is fantastic for the price. Don’t expect to hear music like you never have before, though if you need a way to record and are sick of using earbuds, these should be on your radar.
Good For: Studio Monitoring
Features: Coiled Cable, Near Flat Frequency Response
These headphones are probably Sennheiser most popular pair of closed-backs out there. That’s because they provide a beautiful, warm, and clear sound for an insanely low price. They are versatile in their movement with collapsible and rotating ear cups and have a nice, comfortable fit when, even when wearing them for long periods of time. They are true studio standards. If you’re looking for a great pair of headphones for casual listening, mixing, or recording, the Sennheiser HD280 Pro’s are where it’s at.
Good For: Casual Use, Office Use
Features: 50mm Drivers, Short 47” Cable
Don’t worry; we didn’t forget about the serious budgeters. For the most inexpensive option on our list, these perform pretty well. Obviously, you won’t get the audiophile sound quality or rugged, luxury build, but you will get a decent pair of closed headphones and save a truckload of money. We highly recommend a pair of phones like this as a backup or beater pair for when you’re doing dirty work but still want some tunes to be playing.
Sound Off!
While we hope that our Closed-Back Headphone Guide helps in your quest to find the best mixture of sound, comfort, and quality!
While it’s easy to decide on a purchase by reading about it, when it comes to anything audio, your best bet is to listen to these products individually, as you’ll never quite understand what you’re getting into until you give your headphones a try.
Our top pick for this list has to be the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x’s.
Not only do they come in at a great price under $200, but they also have wire length versatility, excellent sounding 45mm drivers, long-lasting comfort, and reliability that only a company that’s been around as long as Audio-Technica could provide. It’s well-rounded in its types of usages and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
If you’re only allowing yourself one pair of closed-back headphones, we recommend those over any other.
Leave a Reply