You may wonder what is the point of having closed-back headphones, right? Well, the preference depends, but just in case you don’t want half of the sound volume to leak in public, is exactly where the closed-up headphones come into place. If you want to prevent the sound leaking, here are 4 Tips To Stop it.
Closed-Back headphones seal the sound utterly, simply put, it isolates all the sounds inside by blocking out more outdoor noises.
A low-frequency response can sound amplified and it’s not too realistic because of the resonance of the sealed back chamber.
However, these types of headphones are useful throughout the time of recording and for casual use mostly.
So, to cut it short, today we will be reviewing some of the best close-back headphones that are good for different needs, let’s take a close look at what they bring to the table.
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| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Battery Life  | 8.6 | Check Latest Price | |
Best For Audiophiles  | 8.5 | Check Latest Price | |
Best For Professionals  | 9.1 | Check Latest Price | |
Best Noise Cancelling  | 8.8 | Check Latest Price | |
Best For Casual Use  | 8.6 | Check Latest Price |
The Top 5 Best Closed Back Headphones Under $500
1.Sony WH-1000XM4- Best Battery Life
Design & Build
Another legendary wireless headphones pair by Sony is designed keeping elegance in mind with the smooth and glossy body construction.
This time, WH-1000XM4 is more updated in comfort part, free from pressure. Plus, besides the black color, there are blue and silver options available.
Audio Quality
The sound performance tends to be way more neutral in the low and mid-levels. It lacks some punchy bass quality, but that isn’t the problem anymore, you can change it in the EQ preset in the app.
A two-hander play type of music genre is superior. The lyrics appear in clarity and the rumbles with treble sound amazing.
The 40mm drivers of these wireless headphones are made of LCP which stands for Liquid Crystal Polymer. That means the diaphragm is capable of producing a full range of frequencies.
Additional Features
Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones feature premium Digital Noise Cancelling that blesses you with clear notes and voices. Sony is a master in the noise cancellation game, and i don’t think that any company does it better than Sony when it comes to noise cancellation. It includes additional mics for better sound isolation while taking on the phone.
A 4 mic built-in lets you make hands-free calls and Alexa is always there for assistance.
With Sony Music Studios Tokyo development, the Edge-AI Technology is crafting the data and the music is now computing high-performance capability. If you don’t like the default sound, personalize it in the Adaptive Sound Control.
The other useful modes like multiple-device pairing, carry case, touch sensor controls, and a dedicated app.
The Battery Life of these is superior. It will last up to 30 hours of playtime. In a rush? A 10-minute quick charge will give you additional 5 hours of playtime. These are definitely one of the best closed back headphones under $500.
General Features:
- Headphone Type: Closed, dynamic
- Frequency Response: 4 Hz-40,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 105 dB
- Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Driver Unit: 1.57 “, dome type (CCAW Voice coil)
- Battery Life: 30h
Why Should You Buy It?
Noise Canceling
Auto Noise Cancelling, Wear detection & Touch Control
Excellent Battery Life (30 hours)
4 Mic and Alexa
Full Frequency Range
If You Love Neutral Lows and Mids
2. Meze 99 Classics – Best For Audiophiles
Design & Build
Oh my goodness, Meze 99 Classics can be the most beautiful technology accessory that I laid my eyes on with its retro style. Premium wood ear cups, gold details, and self-adjusted PU type of leather headband is exceeding the premium vibe. It’s one of the best looking audio devices i’ve ever handled.
Since it’s wood and leather, I don’t have to mention the durability, I will leave it to your imagination.
Sound Quality
Shout out to my audiophile fans cause I have an amazing headphone in the stock for you. Right up someone’s street for all music lovers, guitar, midi keyboard, and instrument players.
The satisfying music isolation and clear focus while listening is ensured. The tones are warm and natural in the midrange but the lows are incredible.
The bass production is extended. The deep level of bass is ear-pleasing especially in Billie Eilish’s song “Therefore I am”. Because of its low tones and based on bass performance, this music genre shows stunning quality.
Additional Features
Instead of Bluetooth, wired connectivity together with a microphone and remote are available.
There isn’t a noise-canceling feature, but the solution is found. For noise isolation, Maze used medium density memory foam earpads to block the outside sounds. Personally, i wouldn’t buy these headphones if you need good noise isolation, because these headphones aren’t that good at blocking background noise or any ambient sound.
General Features:
- Headphone Type: Closed, dynamic
- Frequency Response: 15Hz-25KHz
- Sensitivity: 103dB
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Driver Unit: 40mm
- Battery Life: Corded
Why Should You Buy It?
Highly Sensitive
Perfect Low pitches
Excellent Bass Production
Built-in Mic
Wide Frequency Range
Good-looking Woody Design
3. Sennheiser Professional HD 25 – Best For Professionals
Design & Build
This closed-back design is mainly intended for professional use. Monitoring, DJing, sound production, stage, studio, or anything you can do professionally is at your service.
To provide full comfort while long hours of work, the lightweight and adjustable earpads from the sides are doing an amazing job here. I can’t say it’s the most durable design, but if you take care of things, they last longer (if you know what I mean).
Sound Quality
The perfect sound isolation is what makes the Sennheiser Professional HD 25 shine through. The high sensitivity at 120 dB sound pressure level is playing a major role in loud ambient.
The exclusive sound quality with minimal leakage. It is definitely super clear in voice production and the tight bass with the astonishing amount of punch is quite interesting and unexpected to be seen in that compact size.
Additional Features
The superlight built with hides a very high sensitivity because of the aluminum voice coils.
The detachable strong wire is a 10-foot straight cable, so if you’re planning to use it every day, get a rubber band to manage the cords.
If you’re looking for studio quality sound and superior noise isolation, these are your best bet.
General Features:
- Headphone Type: Closed-Back, (Supra-Aural)
- Frequency Response: 16Hz – 22kHz
- Sensitivity: 120 dB
- Impedance: 70 Ohms
- Noise Cancelling: Noise Isolating
- Driver Unit: Dynamic
- Battery Life: Corded
Why Should You Buy It?
Highly Sensitive at 120dB
Perfect Noise Isolating
Truest Bass Production
Compact and Lightweight
Professional and Casual Use
4. Bose QuietComfort 45– Best Noise Cancelling
Design & Build
Bose QuietComfort 45 gives triple black and smoke white freedom of choice and an ordinary headphone design. The comfort is put first in a lightweight form and the synthetic leather pads are soft and isolative.
It has easy access to controls and foldable flexibility to port anywhere you desire.
Sound Quality
The overall sound quality is decent, the high notes are overly emphasized which is great for speeches, podcasts, and audiobooks. It’s highly recommended to play around with the settings while listening to 90s-2000s music because the sounds aren’t that ear-pleasing.
The bass is beating nicely in the “bass boost mode”, if you want to listen to EDM or the rock and roll genre, first equalize the format.
Additional Features
The Noise Cancelling feature is unbelievably good, it manages to cancel all the outside noises fully. In addition, you have Aware Mode to let the ambient noise in and perceive any situation.
For clear phone calls, there is 4 external mic that focuses to leave behind the environmental noises. Bose Music app is also available to personalize the wanted settings.
The battery life offers a great 24 hours of playtime use. Also, with the 15-minute charge in rush, you get extra 3 hours of musical joy.
If you’re looking for the best closed back headphones under $500 that you can wear for hours, these are the ones you should get.
General Features:
- Headphone Type: Closed-back Circumaural
- Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 10 kHz
- Noise Cancelling: ANC
- External Microphone: 4
- Driver Unit: 40mm
- Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
Why Should You Buy It?
Full Comfort
Perfect Noise Cancelling (Aware Mode)
Great Bass Production
Portable
Long-lasting Battery Life (24h)
4 External Microphone for Clear Calls
5. AKG N700NC M2- Best For Casual Use
Design & Build
If you haven’t heard about the AKG before, it’s a Samsung brand. It is aimed at traveling, urban environments, and commuting mostly.
AKG N700NC M2 is designed in a flat and 90 degrees foldable style. The ear cushions are cotton soft for more comfortable purposes while being used for long hours in your ears. The design is finished with metal headband sliders and aluminum touches.
Sound Quality
The best part of the sound is disguised in midrange frequencies, vocals, and guitar harmonics. The bass accompaniment is hitting nicely and gives enjoyable music listening times. The trebles are more emphasized and clear and the high tones are pretty decent.
Additional Features
To get rid of disturbing ambient noises, the Adaptive Noise Cancellation leaves you and your favorite song to spend some alone time, it sucks everything in with no leakage.
Ambient-aware technology is available and the most intriguing part is Talk Through Mode where the speeches are amplified and sounds reduced to easy chit-chat.
N700NC M2 uses a Bluetooth connection and is compatible with Android and IOS operating systems. It also works with Bixby, Siri, and Google Assistant for voice-over control.
The battery life is excellent. It will manage to give you a nice 23 hours with ANC+BT on. It only takes 3 hours to fully charge.
General Features:
- Headphone Type: Closed-back, Over-ear
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 110 dB
- Impedance: 16 Ohms
- Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Microphone: Yes
- Battery Life: 23 hours
Why Should You Buy It?
Ergonomic
Adaptive ANC (Talk Through Mode)
3 Voice Assistants (Bixby, Siri, and Google)
Portable
Outstanding Midrange Accuracy
Long-lasting Battery Life (23h)
Integrated Microphone for Clear Calls
Additional Info
What are Closed-backed Headphones?
- Casual, everyday use.
- Commuting
- Audio Recording
- Traveling
- Quiet places
Which one is Better: Open Back vs. Close Back Headphones?
It depends on preference. In Open-back headphones aims the exterior shell of the ear covering is ventilated in some way, generally with horizontal holes.
Closed-back headphones therefore have complete outer shell with no ventilation of any kind, effectively close-fitting surround of the whole ear.
Closed-back Headphones Sound Better?
Yes, Closed-back headphones do sound better at some point because almost all the models manage to suck or let’s say eliminate the unnecessary background noises.
To some users, the closed-back does provide more dynamic range. That is true at some point because there are lots of professionally used closed-back types. Again, it depends on preference, everyone’s music taste is different.
Downsides of Closed-back Headphones?
Just as every good technology item has its own drawbacks, here are the point-dropping downsides of these Closed-back headphones.
To cut it short, the first downside is easily heating part. For example, the professionals use headphones for longer and it feels like boiling hot inside your ears. You may need an extra napkin to wipe the sweat. Therefore, it makes hard to keep them on constantly.
The other downside is the loss of the sound. Yes, closed-back headphones have a lot of extra fabric on the ear cushions of a , but that’s not the whole story.
Manufacturers of closed-back headphones must also limit undesirable resonance in the chamber, therefore strong coverage has often been included at the back side of the headphone to offer sound damping.
Summing-up
Closed-back headphone types are known for their excellent sound blocking features. If you still haven’t used one, believe me, you’re missing out a lot.
My personal pick would be Sennheiser Professional HD 25 because it is intended for studio or monitoring use, it will produce the most detailed form of sound.
Well, for the others who are sick and tired of wires Bose QuietComfort 45, and Sony WH-1000XM4 is the best pick.
For peaceful traveling and casual use, pick AKG N700NC M2, the features very useful modes.
If looks matter, then pick none of the other Meze 99 Classics. The wood style and premium built are total technology beauty.
Further Reading
For additional superior sound-blocking headphones, there are Headphones For Lawn Mowing and Headphones For Construction Workers. Number one sound isolators.
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Equipment Tester & Reviewer
I’m an unbiased audio equipment tester & reviewer, dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on the latest and greatest in audio gear.
