There are three basic types of headphones that can provide isolation from disturbing external ambient sounds: Ear canal headphones [ECHs], closed-back (sealed) headphones, and noise-canceling headsets. Noise-canceling units use a tiny built-in microphone housed inside the earpieces to pick up external noises and then produce an electronic sound-canceling signal at the ear to block out ambient sounds. These "active-electronics" noise-cancelling designs typically provide around 10dB of isolation over a quite limited frequency spectrum.
Sealed headphones also provide around 10db of isolation, but over a significantly wider frequency range (better upper frequency attenuation), thus offering a more complete sense of overall isolation.
Ear canal headphones (ECH) earphones completely seal the ear canal, which delivers far better isolation / noise-blocking than either type of headphones listed above. ECHs commonly achieve well over 20dB of isolation throughout the ENTIRE frequency range!
For more information about sealed/noise cancelling headphones visit our sealed/noise cancelling headphone selection guide.
Koss UR 20OK sounding, sealed headphones on a budget. Good for portable players / laptop computers. |
$24.99 |
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Sennheiser HD 201NICE! Cheap, sealed, full-sized headphones that sound very good. Perfect gift 'phones (Get one for yourself first!) |
$29.95 |
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Sennheiser HD 202Excellent value with solid sound quality & isolation. Good sealed headphone for the price. |
$29.95 |
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AKG K 26 POh, yeah... Killer small rock/rap/funk sealed portable headphone. Good sound, big bass, great seal! SOLD-OUT! NEW 26p MODEL COMING SOON. |
$56.30 |
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Sennheiser EH 150A stylish & inexpensive sealed-back headphone. Good isolation, killer value! |
$59.95 |
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Jays j-JAYS WhiteEntry-level ECHs without breaking the bank |
$49.00 |
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Jays j-JAYS BlackEntry-level ECHs without breaking the bank |
$49.00 |
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Sennheiser HD 205Great step-up from the HD201… Sealed-design & ultra-punchy sound. |
$59.95 |
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DENON AH-D301KInexpensive entry-level sealed/closed earcup headphone |
$49.99 |
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DENON AH-C351KImpressive-sounding ear canal /earbud hybrids at an incredible price |
$49.99 |
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AKG K 27iNewest member of AKG's portable headphone line. Deluxe iPod-style cosmetics, in-line volume control, great sound! PLEASE CALL FOR SALE PRICE! |
$54.95 |
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Sennheiser PMX 200Hip street styling & ambient noise blocking in a 'neckband' headphone. |
$59.95 |
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beyerdynamic DT 231 GalacticIdentical to the standard DT231, but in a swanky translucent purple color. |
$59.00 |
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beyerdynamic DT 231Well-balanced sound & superbly comfortable fit. A top choice amongst inexpensive sealed cans. SOLD-OUT! NEW DT235 MODEL COMING SOON! |
$79.00 |
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Sennheiser PX 200Smallest sealed can available. But difficult fit giving poor isolation & bass performance is its undoing. |
$69.95 |
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Sennheiser HD 212 ProOne of the best values in inexpensive, sealed portable-application headphones. |
$89.95 |
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Sennheiser EH 250Punchy bass & great build-quality in a lightweight, portable sealed headphone. Killer price too! |
$99.95 |
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Ultimate Ears metro.fi 2OK Sound -- Good Price. PLEASE CALL FOR SALE PRICE! |
$79.99 |
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AKG K 81 DJStrong audio performance from well-priced portable sealed headphone. |
$99.00 |
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DENON AH-D501KGreat sealed headphone for the bargain hunter |
$69.99 |
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Sennheiser CX300 PinkPINK CX300 for Susan Komen Foundation! Help Fight Breast Cancer with these Limited-Edition Earphones. |
$89.95 |
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Sennheiser CX300-SSilver Ear Canal Headphones from Sennheiser. Inexpensive but good. |
$89.95 |
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Sennheiser CX300-BBlack Ear Canal Headphones from Sennheiser. Inexpensive but good. |
$89.95 |
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Etymotic ER-6i WhiteEtymotic's cure for sickly stock-issue iPod earbuds; Great audio performance on any portable player! |
$86.99 |
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Etymotic ER-6i BlackSame exact earphone as the ER-6i but in a groovy black color scheme. |
$86.99 |
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Jays d-JAYS BlackGood quality ear-canal headphones at a reasonable price. And they're from Sweden. |
$99.00 |
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Jays d-JAYS WhiteGood quality ear-canal headphones at a reasonable price. And they're from Sweden. CALL FOR SALE PRICE!! |
$99.00 |
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Sennheiser PXC 150Low-cost noise cancelling headphones for weary commuters. |
$129.95 |
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Sennheiser HD 280 ProHigh marks for this workhorse sealed headphone. Tremendous price-to-performance ratio. |
$199.95 |
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Shure SE110Entry-level earphones perfect for iPhones, PDAs, and Mp3 players. |
$119.99 |
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Shure SE110 BlackEntry-level PDA-oriented earphones for BlackBerry, iPhone, Treo, and Mp3 users. |
$119.99 |
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DENON AH-C551KRespectable entry-level ECH entry in an increasingly crowded marketplace |
$99.99 |
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Sennheiser CX500 - TitaniumImproved earbud/ECH hybrid for portable players; Great sound, comfy fit. |
$119.95 |
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Sennheiser CX500-BlackImproved earbud/ECH hybrid for portable players; Great sound, comfy fit. |
$119.95 |
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Sennheiser HD 25-SP-IISimple, durable, & small plus good ambient seal. Solid 'phones for the mobile listener. CALL FOR SALE PRICE! |
$139.95 |
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AKG K 440 NCLightweight Noise-Canceling HeadPhones from AKG! |
$129.95 |
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Sennheiser HDR 140Get an extra headphone for your wireless sytem. Why? Because sharing your wireless experience with others is fun! |
$149.95 |
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Shure SE210 BlackA serious ear-canal headphone for a not-so-serious price. |
$179.99 |
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Shure SE210A serious ear-canal headphone for a not-so-serious price. |
$179.99 |
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Sennheiser PXC 250Sennheiser's mid-line noise-canceling headphones. Better than 'big-name' noise cancelers? |
$169.95 |
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DENON AH-D1001KHigh-caliber sealed headphone. Excellent price-to-audio performance ratio |
$149.99 |
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Ultrasone DJ1Well-priced entry-level DJ/studio can. Solid ambient seal & strong performance at the price from newer German maker. |
$169.00 |
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beyerdynamic DT 250-80Very solid all-around performer and a comfy sealed/closed headphone. Low 80-Ohm impedance model. |
$199.00 |
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beyerdynamic DT 250-250Professional sealed headphones—durable, smallish, good sound. |
$199.00 |
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Jays q-JAYS WhiteDual-driver ear canal headphone love from Sweden. |
$179.00 |
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Jays q-JAYS BlackDual-driver ear canal headphone love from Sweden NOW IN-STOCK!! |
$179.00 |
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AKG K 271 SA refined sound is hard to come by in a sealed headphone, but the K271 delivers. DISCONTINUED/NEW MODEL HERE SOON! |
$270.00 |
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Etymotic ER-4PLow-impedance version of ER-4S; Audiophile-grade sound directly out of any portable player. |
$191.99 |
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Etymotic ER-4STop ECH providing -23dB of isolation. Air travel never sounded so good! Requires head-amp to be properly driven. |
$194.99 |
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beyerdynamic DT 660A little bright and uneven, but high efficiency makes them good use for use with portables. |
$199.00 |
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AKG K 181 DJNot AKG's best audiophile effort but perhaps some features for the pro DJ. CALL US FOR PRICE BREAK ON THIS MODEL! |
$249.00 |
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Ultrasone HFI 580Strong sealed headphone with slick updated looks. |
$199.00 |
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Sennheiser HD 25-1-IIPunchy clarity & secure fit make this a great headphone for DJs, studio work, or active listeners. |
$259.95 |
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DENON AH-C751KHigh-end ECHs with DENON's Acoustic Optimizer system |
$199.99 |
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Sennheiser RS 140Wireless SEALED HeadPhones With Volume & Balance Control |
$239.95 |
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Sennheiser PXC 300Upgraded noise-canceling and a schwingy carry-bag for travelers seeking superb isolation. |
$239.95 |
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Ultrasone DJ1 ProA choice DJ/ club/ studio headphone with a punchy and well-balanced sound. |
$239.00 |
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Ultrasone PROline 550German-made sealed cans for funky bass-heavy audio fiends. ON SALE! CALL FOR PRICE! |
$239.00 |
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Etymotic Ety 8 Blue Tooth WirelessWireless Sounds for the BlueTooth Enthusiast. |
$239.99 |
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Ultrasone HFI-700Superb seal and crisp, well-articulated highs. Fine choice for jazz or acoustic music! DISCONTINUED. NEW HFi-780 MODEL COMING SOON! |
$249.00 |
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Beyerdynamic DT 770 MEfficient 80-ohm DT770 Version with In-Line Volume Control. |
$249.00 |
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Shure SE310 BlackA solid step into performance ear-canal headphones, and a new world of music in your noggin. |
$299.99 |
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Shure SE310A solid step into performance ear-canal headphones, and a new world of music in your noggin. |
$299.99 |
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Ultrasone PROline 650Full, punchy bass & present highs in a sealed audiophile headphone. ON SALE! CALL FOR PRICE! |
$299.00 |
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Sennheiser PXC 350Upgraded Active Noise-Canceling in a Full-Size Headphone. PLEASE CALL FOR SALE PRICE! |
$369.95 |
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DENON AH-D2000Accurate, lively presentation and true reference sound rarely found in sealed headphones. |
$349.00 |
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Ultimate Ears triple.fi 10 ProUltra high-end audiophile ear canal headphones with superb UE sonics. |
$399.99 |
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Shure SE420 BlackDual-driver audiophilic pleasure for your deserving head |
$399.99 |
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Shure SE420Dual-driver audiophilic pleasure for your deserving head |
$399.99 |
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Ultrasone PROline 750Odd audio performance from a rather expensive headphone. ON SALE! CALL FOR PRICE! |
$399.00 |
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Sennheiser PXC 450Active Noise Canceling Full-Size Headphones With 'Talk-Thru'. PLEASE CALL FOR SALE PRICE! |
$449.95 |
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Shure SE530Outstanding Audiophile Performance From Category-Leading Ear-Canal Headphone. |
$499.99 |
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Shure SE530PTHOutstanding Audiophile Performance From Category-Leading ECH (w/PTH Device) |
$549.00 |
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DENON AH-D5000The top sealed headphone we've heard and as good as the best open cans. Yep, you read that right! |
$699.00 |
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Ultimate Ears UE-10 ProThe perfect ear canal headphone. |
$950.00 |
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Ultimate Ears UE-11 ProLush, yummy sound you can stick in your head. |
$1150.00 |
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