Looking for the best headphones for you is not as easy as you might think. After all, each headphone has their own features that make it unique. Not to mention the fact that you can also choose between open back vs closed back headphones. Overall, you don’t get to buy some new headphones every day or every week. So, you don’t want to spend a lot of money on headphones that don’t satisfy your needs.
One of the most important things that you need to decide before you even start looking for new headphones is whether if you prefer open back headphones or closed back headphones. So, let’s check the open back vs closed back headphones main differences.
#1: Open Back Headphones:
Open back headphones tend to be the hardest ones to find on a common retailer store. They not only tend to be more expensive as they feature some unique features that only professional users tend to appreciate. However, online, you can be sure that you will find hundreds of open back headphones for sale.
On open back headphones, you will immediately notice that they include some mesh-covered ear cup enclosures or some perforated or vented earcups. This implies that this kind of headphones doesn’t provide you with almost any isolation from the external sound. Even if the earcups completely fill your ears as they should, you will still be able to hear what is happening around you.
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One of the main reasons that lead many users to buy open back headphones is the sound they produce. Since you will always have some space under the cups, this allows the sound waves o flow freely through your ears, creating a larger, deeper, wider, and more airy soundstage. You can relate it to when you are attending an event and the music simply involves you. Besides, the sound also tends to be more natural and realistic and the accuracy is generally better since the drivers tend to be able to respond not only more efficiently as well as faster.
#2: Closed Back Headphones:
Closed back headphones are the most common headphones and you can find them everywhere. You can easily identify them by making sure that the earcups don’t include any see-through mesh or any perforations or vents.
When you want to make sure that when you are wearing your headphones that you only listen to your music and that they allow you to block out the external noise, then closed back headphones are just what you are looking for. The reality is that the closed back headphones cushions create a complete seal over your ears and there is no air flowing around. This ensures that you will be able to listen to your favorite song details even at lower volume levels.
While closed back headphones prevent you from listening to external noises, they also prevent the sound to leak out. So, if you want to wear your headphones when you are sharing the same room with other people who you don’t want to disturb, these are perfect.
If there is something that most people who are looking for the best headphones want is versatility. They don’t want to buy some headphones just for one thing. They prefer to buy better headphones that can be used on multiple occasions and situations. If this is your case, then you should look for the best closed back headphones.
The truth is that the best closed back headphones are more suited for noisy environments since they have the ability to better block the external noise. So, you can be sure that you’ll be able to listen to your favorite songs or audio files peacefully. Besides, if you tend to travel quite often, closed back headphones also tend to be a better choice than open back headphones. They tend to be smaller and more durable designs, making them perfect to carry around with you all the time.
So, how can you choose the best closed back headphones with so many different models available?
There are several aspects that you should take into consideration. The first one is your budget. While there are very expensive closed back headphones, there are also some models that are more affordable. It truly depends on whether you want them to last for a very long time or not. Another factor to consider when you are looking for the best closed back headphones is the features they include. Some of the features that we absolutely love to see on closed back headphones include the ability to fold, wood and leather builds, interchangeable cables, special internal magnets, among other top technologies. The last aspect to take into consideration us whether there is any additional gear or parts included such as a case, replaceable ear pads, extra cables, among others.
While it’s always good to know what you should look for on the best closed back headphones, the choice can be hard, So, here are the 11 best closed back headphones on the market in 2018:
The Master & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphone is considered, by many users, the best closed back headphone. While they are the best-looking the truth is that their sound is absolutely amazing.
One of the things that you will immediately notice on the Master & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphone as soon as you try them on is that they won’t move, no matter what you do. So, if you like to walk on the street or jog with headphones, the Master & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphone are a great option.
In terms of the sound, we believe that the Master & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphone is on the top of this list. The sound they provide is energetic and warm, and they do block the external noise very well.
Featuring a forged aluminum body and stainless steel components, you can be sure that the Master & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphone will last for a very long time in the best conditions. Besides, they come with custom 45mm neodymium high-performance drivers that not only allow you to listen to your favorite songs the way you like as you won’t be bothered by any external noise.
Both the ear cushions and the headband of the Master & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphone are covered with a high-quality and genuine leather that will make them stand out even more.
There are a couple of things that we really like on the Master & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphone. These include the fact that the Master & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphone include an easily accessible mute button. it comes with reinforced and braided connection cables, and the Master & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphone package also includes a genuine leather case.
When you are looking for the best closed back headphones, you just can’t ignore Audeze. After all, this is a highly known brand for their quality and the Audeze LCD-XC Over Ear, Closed Back Headphone continue with the tradition of the brand.
The Audeze LCD-XC Over Ear, Closed Back Headphone is simply amazing. Using the premium Bubinga wood and high-quality leather for the built, the Audeze LCD-XC Over Ear, Closed Back Headphone reveals an extreme attention to each detail.
One of the things that we really like about the Audeze LCD-XC Over Ear, Closed Back Headphone is the quality of sound they provide you. The truth is that they feature an internal planar magnetic technology combined with transducers. Ultimately, and basically, what you need to know, the overall sound quality is surreal and extremely accurate. Besides, the Audeze LCD-XC Over Ear, Closed Back Headphone also includes double-sided magnet rays that allow you to get rid of any possible distortion. These combined with the use of incredibly thin diaphragms that improve the response time, you can be sure that the Audeze LCD-XC Over Ear, Closed Back Headphone is one of the best closed back headphones that you can get.
While the Audeze LCD-XC Over Ear, Closed Back Headphone are the most expensive closed back headphones that you will find on this list, we believe that they needed to be listed here.
If you have already been searching for the best closed back headphones, you probably already found a couple of models from Sennheiser. Even though there are several good models, we decided to include the Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphone on this list.
The truth is that the Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphone is one of the most popular closed back headphones. And they have all the right to take this position since they are truly incredible and amazing.
One of the things that we really like about the Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphone is its warm and clear sound no matter the frequency. Besides, they are able to block out most of the external noise as well, allowing you to really relax.
In terms of the design, the Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphone are well-built, using only the best materials. But the brand didn’t forget about the comfort as well. Quite the opposite. The Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphone is one of the most comfortable headphones that you can wear and it only allows you to rotate the earcups when you need.
In case you are looking for the best closed back headphones for traveling, the Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphone is a great option. Besides the fact that these headphones are lightweight, you can also fold them making them very portable and easy to carry with you all the time.
Even though the Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphone is durable, you can easily replace the audio cord, and the headband and earpads padding.
In case you like Audeze, then you will love to know that they just released the new Audeze SINE On-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones with Integrated Lightning Cable.
The Audeze SINE On-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones with Integrated Lightning Cable are made in the United States but they were actually designed by BMW. Featuring a floating headband and a custom aluminum frame, the Audeze SINE On-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones with Integrated Lightning Cable are lightweight and incredibly comfortable. In addition, they are also foldable allowing you to take them with you everywhere.
One of the things that we really like on the Audeze SINE On-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones with Integrated Lightning Cable is their quality of sound. The reality is that the Audeze SINE On-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones with Integrated Lightning Cable probably feature one of the best audio that you can find on the market. The bass is incredible and the transients are better, the distortion is minimal. Overall, everything that you can expect from a brand like Audeze.
If you have already done some research about the best closed back headphones on the market in 2018, you probably already crossed with some Shure models. The truth is that Shure is known for their solid design and construction as well as for their audio qualities. So, we made sure that we included one of their best models – the Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones.
In case you don’t have a high budget, you may still find a great pair of closed back headphones. And the Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones are probably one of the best. The headband is adjustable, the construction is collapsible, the cable is detachable, and they even come with an adapter and a carrying bag.
While in terms of sound there are better choices on this list, don’t think that the Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones sound is bad. In fact, it’s pretty great for the price.
In case you like or need to travel very often, one of the best options that you have is to get yourself some good portable headphones. And the Beyerdynamic T51i Portable Headphones are one of the best choices in 2018.
Featuring metal headbands and extremely solid earcups, you can be sure that the Beyerdynamic T51i Portable Headphones will last for many, many years.
In terms of the sound quality, and even though they are portable headphones, the Beyerdynamic T51i Portable Headphones audio is extremely good. You can count on tight punchy lows, an intense speed, and a crisp clarity. Besides, in terms of noise isolation, the Beyerdynamic T51i Portable Headphones are one of the best on this list.
Even though we already mentioned the planar magnetic driver above on this list when we talked about Audeze, the truth is that Oppo was the first brand to actually perfect the closed back planars.
Featuring an elegant design, the OPPO PM-3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones is the perfect combination of the true audiophile performance and the portability. One of the main advantages of the OPPO PM-3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones is that you can take them with you anywhere you want and you are always able to listen to one of the best audio. In addition, the noise isolation is simply one of the best on the market.
One of the things that we really like on the OPPO PM-3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones is that even though they feature an exquisite workmanship, they are truly functional and work extremely well. Besides the fact that they are lightweight, the OPPO PM-3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones are also extremely comfortable even if you are planning on wearing them for many hours a day.
While most people have never even heard about V-Moda, the truth is that the brand is very prestige. While they have many different closed back headphones on the market, we believe that the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone is one of their best models.
One of the things that we like on the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone is the clear and wide sound, and particularly, the deep bass. After all, the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone comes with 50mm drivers and they only include the highest quality material in their constructions.
Featuring a compact design that allows you to carry the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone all over the place, these headphones aren’t the most affordable or the most expensive ones on this list. However, you can b sure that they are worth every single penny.
One of the reasons to include the Fostex TH-900 MKII TH900 MK2 NEW VERSION Premium Audiophile Reference Headphones in this list was the fact that you can listen to every single detail, either good or bad. And this is simply amazing and not all closed back headphones can provide you with this. The truth is that they are so good that there are even people who compare them with open back headphones.
In terms of the design, the Fostex TH-900 MKII TH900 MK2 NEW VERSION Premium Audiophile Reference Headphones are also incredible. Featuring carved wooden ear cups, you can be sure they will be noticed anywhere you take them.
The truth is that the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7GM SonicPro Over-Ear High-Resolution Audio Headphones aren’t new on the market. However, they continue to be on top of the choices of many users and we continue to believe that they deliver what they promise.
In terms of the sound quality, the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7GM SonicPro Over-Ear High-Resolution Audio Headphones continues to be on top of the new technologies and features that we have today. The Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7GM SonicPro Over-Ear High-Resolution Audio Headphones are able to provide you with a very balanced and extremely detailed sound combined with an excellent performance and soundstage. In fact, there are some users who even compare the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7GM SonicPro Over-Ear High-Resolution Audio Headphones with some top open back headphones so that you can get a better picture.
As the last option for the best closed back headphones on the market in 2018, we decided to include the Ultrasone PRO 550 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Closed-back Headphones.
Featuring a beautiful design, the Ultrasone PRO 550 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Closed-back Headphones are incredibly comfortable even if you intend to wear them for multiple hours a day. However, what we really like about the Ultrasone PRO 550 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Closed-back Headphones is their amazing sound quality.
Using their own technology, the S-Logic Natural Surround Sound, you can be sure that you will be able to experience a more lifelike and natural sound. In addition, they also come with 50mm drivers to ensure that you won’t only be able to experience this amazing sound quality as in terms of noise isolation, the Ultrasone PRO 550 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Closed-back Headphones are one of the best.
One of the things that make the Ultrasone PRO 550 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Closed-back Headphones unique is the fact that their S-Logic technology heaps you decrease hearing fatigue and damage as well as it also helps with the decrease of the sound pressure.
