Closed Headphones Provide An Acoustic Seal To Isolate You From Outside Noise
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Closed headphones have a closed back earpiece intended to isolate you from outside noise. They also prevent those nearby from hearing your music. Closed back headphones may be either full size (circumaural) or earpad (supra-aural) types. Most audio professionals (DJs, sound reinforcement, location recordists, studio producers, etc.) use closed headphones to allow for better concentration. The very best closed headphones can compete in sound quality with the best open headphones.
Other places to search for information on headphones that isolate you from outside noise can be found in our selection guide for Noise Cancelling and In Ear headphones.
A Selection Of Good Low-Cost Closed Headphones
The best cheap closed headphone is the Koss UR20; it's amazing they can give you so much for so little. For a little more money, the Sennheiser 203 sounds quite a bit better and provides good noise isolation. Student iPod users will enjoy the AKG K27i for its warm and punchy signature and because they fold and store easily into a backpack pocket. Bass lovers will rattle their brains with the Sony MDR-XB300, which tastefully exaggerates the bass, is incredibly comfortable, and looks absolutely terrific. Built like a brick, the Beyerdynamic DT235 has way better sound than it should at this price. Form follows function with the Sennheiser HD218 and HD228; these compact headphones with headpieces that swivel flat for transport in a briefcase are also incredibly good sounding. Lastly, Sennheiser brings it on yet again with the HD428, a supurb full size headphone with a marvelously balanced and musical sound.
We Review Some Select Mid-Price Closed Headphones
The cool looks and the behaved but bumpin' bass of the AKG K81DJ will please urban music listeners. Audio purists will listen agape at the neutral and articulate Shure SRH440; this headphone is bound to be become a staple of professionals and enthusiasts alike. Similarly good sounding, the Sennheiser HD280Pro and slightly warmer sounding Audio Technica ATH-M50 are great pro cans that also fold for compact transport and storage. Stepping up in price, the Denon AH-D1001S is a terrific sounding headphone for home and office, with the good looks to match. People who are VERY active while listening (drummer, runners, construction workers, etc) will feel very secure wearing the Sennheiser HD 25-1-II, with a split headband that can be lowered to encompass your head.
Top Picks Of High-End Closed Headphones
Jumping head first into audiophile-grade sealed cans, the Audio Technica ATH-A700 and more refined Audio Technica ATH-W5000 are light and airy sounding headphones with large earpads and a unique headband--particularly comfortable for people with large heads. Denon's line of high end sealed cans are spectacular. The Denon AH-D2000 is a quick sounding and very neutral can; we think the fantasticly transperant articulation and detail make it the perfect headphone for audio professionals. The Denon D5000 is a superb headphone with a lush neutral sound, while its big brother, the Denon D7000, adds more bass extension and a bit more lushness. Both are exquisitely designed and built. Lastly, one of our favorite headphones of any type, the Ultrasone Edition 8 is unique in its ability to be both lush and punchy at the same time. The Edition 8 is exquisitely built with exotic materials, is a joy to hold and view, and delivers a musical vacation at each and every listen.
We've listed our top picks below but you can click here to see all closed headphones.
