Best Headphones That Don’t Leak Sound in 2023 (Top 5 Picks)

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Sound leakage also known as sound bleeding is a common problem in most headphones. In all likelihood, you’ve come across a stranger randomly where the music is too loud that you can hear from far away.

The music is too loud that you suddenly find yourself accompanying lyrics, but let’s face the truth about being annoying most of the time. Picking the right headphones that won’t leak is a challenge.

Let’s be honest that you can’t stop the sound leakage if the person is sitting in front of you, but preventing it from a few feet away is possible if you choose the right headphones.

Sure thing, you wouldn’t want everybody around to hear what is your today’s mood. If you do not care about how many people get annoyed, then swipe left.

Let’s not waste any more time and see which are the best headphones that don’t leak sound.

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Best For Studio
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

8.6
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Best For DJ
Sennheiser Professional HD 25

Sennheiser Professional HD 25

8.5
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Best Overall
V-Moda Crossfade 2

V-Moda Crossfade 2

9.1
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Best Budget
Edifier H840 Audiophile

Edifier H840 Audiophile

8.8
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Best For Gaming
Srhythm NC25

Srhythm NC25

8.6
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Top Picks For Best Headphones That Don’t Leak Sound

5. Audio-Technica ATH-M50X- Best For Studio

ATH-M50X by Audio-Technica is offering black, white, gunmetal, and metallic orange color options. The over-ear foldable design can swivel to 90° to make sure the perfect fit for your ears. A true travel-friendly design is durable and delivers full comfort to your ears.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is widely preferred for studio monitoring, podcasting, DJing, or even day-to-day music listening if you want to. The pro-grade won’t let you down by sucking all the sound inside, not letting it leak and disturb random strangers.

The Sound Isolating feature is a must-have for first-rate sound quality. The circumaural type of headphones covers external parts of the ears making the louder environments more ear-pleasing. You won’t be able to encounter any sound leaking because the over-ear-built style isn’t allowing so.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X has an extra clarity for every tune and melody. The balance of clarity and deep accurate bass quality is a perfect match. This is something expected from this wide range of frequencies from 15 Hz to 28 kHz.

Key Specifications

  • Design: Over-Ear, Closed-Back
  • Foldable: 90°
  • Driver Size: 1.8″ / 45 mm
  • Frequency Response: 15-28,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 38 ohms
  • Maximum Input Power: 1600 mW
  • Sensitivity: 98 dB
  • Active Noise Cancellation: No
  • Connectivity: Wired

Why Should You Buy It?
If you look for professional-grade sound quality with sturdy built quality, ATH-M50X headphones are designed for you. No more annoying sound bleeding anywhere you go, plus it is travel friendly. You can swivel 90° to fit it in your bag.

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4. Sennheiser Professional HD 25- Best For DJ

Again Sennheiser didn’t let us down with Professional HD 25 headphones with its super light and comfortable design. It’s considered to be the standard headphones suitable for DJs and cameramen. When and where to use the headphones is not limited whatsoever.

Sennheiser Professional HD 25 delivers full comfort with an adjustable padded headband and super thick ear cushions. The closed-back over-ear design and thickness of the earpads eliminate any unwanted noises from the background to tear that leakage apart.

Professional HD 25 can handle high-pressured sounds without a problem because of the aluminum-built coils. You are left to enjoy every beat of the sound to the fullest without bleeding.

The bass, mid-tones, and low tones are accurate, that’s because of The Passive Sound Isolation. This feature isolates the sound in a sharp way without external leaking.

Key Specifications

  • Design: On-Ear, Closed-Back
  • Foldable: No
  • Driver Type: Dynamic
  • Frequency Response: 16 Hz to 22 kHz
  • Impedance: 70 Ohms
  • Maximum Input Power: 200 mW
  • Sensitivity: 120 dB
  • Noise Isolation: Passive Sound Isolation
  • Connectivity: Wired

Why Should You Buy It?
If you want a high maximum sound pressure level that is lightweight and durable, don’t muff this buying chance. The thick ear cushion and Passive Sound Isolation won’t allow the sound bleeding to happen. If you break any component, it’s easily replaceable.

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3. V-Moda Crossfade 2- Best Overall

The elegant screaming design has a striking appearance the minute you lay your eyes on it. V-Moda Crossfade 2 has rose gold steel frames that work hybrid-like.

Expect superior comfort because the memory foam cushions won’t hurt even if you use them for many hours straight. The CliqFold hinge will make the headphones more portable.

V-Moda Crossfade 2 is durable and resistant against high and low temperatures, humidity, salt spray, and UV exposure.

V-Moda Crossfade 2 works in a Hybrid Wireless + Wired Form. The versatility and the freedom you get from these headphones are insane. If you are asking for zero latency, analog audio for gaming is waving at you. Use the headphones for whatever reason, either professional (gaming, videos, music/DJ performance, or a Hi-Fi DAC/AMP) or day-to-day use.

V-Moda Crossfade 2 has dual-diaphragm drivers and doesn’t let the sounds bleed at high-frequency levels due to the internal and external placement of the rings. The rings separate the highs, mids, and lows from the bass to block out that audio bleeding.

Qualcomm aptX audio CODEC for CD-quality wireless audio playback for Bluetooth & AAC and SBC Codecs for best audio performance on universal compatibility are available. The Bluetooth connecting distance is 33ft (10m) away from the user device. Plus, you can multi-task from 2 sources at once.

The battery life is crazy. V-Moda Crossfade 2 gives a good 14 hours of wireless playback. In a rush? Just a 30-minute charge will give extra 3 hours of battery.

Key Specifications

  • Design: Over-Ear
  • Foldable: Yes
  • Driver Size: 1.97″ / 50 mm dual-diaphragm
  • Frequency Response: 5Hz- 40 kHz
  • Impedance: 32 Ohms
  • Maximum Input Power: Not Specified by Manufacturer
  • Sensitivity: 100 dB at 1 kHz
  • Noise Isolation: Passive Noise Isolation
  • Connectivity: Wireless + Wired Form

Why Should You Buy It?
If you look for all-inclusive features and lifetime durability, choose Crossfade 2. It’s travel-friendly because it can withstand any weather temperature, humidity, salt spray, and UV exposure. The SteelFlex headband and frames of Crossfade 2 will last long years of use. The unquestionable 14 hours of battery life is a nice bonus.

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2. Edifier H840 Audiophile- Best Budget

Edifier H840 comes in black, white, and blue colors where you can choose whether with the mic or without the mic options. The affordable price and sound quality are matchless. The sturdy build is reinforced with a steel headband and leather earpads.

Keeping the flexibility and durability on top, the lightweight body of Edifier H840 is also ergonomic to deliver the best ear comfort. The folding feature makes the headphones portable and travel-friendly.

Edifier H840 is calibrated and tuned by Phil Jones of Pure Sound, so you can get that excessive satisfaction of the acoustic experience. The decent sound quality creates a perfect balance between the treble and bass making the headphones the best entry-level one on the list.

The outside sound blocking will leave you impressed and that makes the Edifier H840 ideal for loud ambient. Despite the price point, Edifier H840 features Noise-Isolation to prevent sound bleeding. Feel free to enjoy your favorite track in detail at every note. The low-range and mid-range are superb and the high-range is slightly harsh.

Key Specifications

  • Design: Over-Ear, Closed-Back
  • Foldable: Yes
  • Driver Size: 1.57″ / 40 mm
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
  • Impedance: 32 Ohms
  • Maximum Input Power: 50 mW
  • Sensitivity: 90dB
  • Noise Isolation: Yes
  • Connectivity: Wired

Why Should You Buy It?
Edifier H840 is a really impressive entry-level headphone that has sturdy built materials. It’s lightweight for travel, flexible to adjust, and comfortable to wear. It features Noise Isolation to prevent sound bleeding and is ideal headphone for louder places. You will receive excessive satisfaction in acoustics where the sound quality is very well balanced between treble and bass.

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1. Srhythm NC25- Best For Gaming

The super cool mint green color is wrapped around this extremely 0.4 lb lightweight design. The affordable price together with the ideal ergonomic level will make you instantly fall for Srhythm NC25 headphones.

If you want to travel or port anywhere, Srhythm NC25 is special. It allows you a 100° inward rotation and 120° inward folding ear-cups. With the adjustable headband, you can make a perfect fit for your head size.

Digital Active Noise Cancelling Technology (ANC) feature is quite advanced. It manages to block 90% of machine voices. No more noises coming from the aircraft, subways, cars, and crowds. However, the conversations cannot be blocked with ANC and it isn’t ideal for quiet places.

Where are my hardcore gamers? if you’re still here, know that Srhythm NC25 has a 50ms Low Latency Mode located in the multi-function button. Just press 3 times to activate it, and enjoy the immersive gaming sessions with great sound quality.

Srhythm NC25 features wake-up voice assistant Siri/Google to let you use the headphones hands-free.

You won’t believe how many hours of battery life Srhythm NC25 contains. 50+ Hours of music joy with over-voltage protection technology provide safety while using. Charge for 10 minutes and get extra 3 hours of playtime. However, you can’t adjust the volume level when in wired mode.

Key Specifications

  • Design: Over-Ear
  • Foldable: 100°-120° multi-angle Flexible Rotation
  • Driver Size: 1.57″ / 40 mm
  • Frequency Response: 50-1000 Hz
  • Impedance: 32 ohms
  • Maximum Input Power: 360mAH
  • Sensitivity: 18-23dB Noise Isolation
  • Noise Isolation: Digital Active Noise Cancelling
  • Connectivity: Wireless + Wired Form

Why Should You Buy It?
There are many reasons, let’s state them: affordable price point, unique 100°-120° multi-angle flexible rotation for better portability and comfort, the mint green unique color, 90% machine blockage, decent ANC, and 50+ hours of music time. Isn’t it enough?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Does the Sound Leakage Happen?

Sometimes the voice and instruments are so strong that comes to the point where it bleeds outside, and people from a few feet away can hear the music at a certain point. 

Does Sound Leakage Affect the Sound Quality?

Yes, it does. Semi-open and open-back headphones tend to leak sound more because they have higher volume levels.

On the other hand, the Noise Isolation feature blocks the bleeding sounds and this affects the quality. You won’t get that natural flow of music if the headphones aren’t bleeding. At the end of the day, it’s not a big deal to let the sound leak.

How to Know if Your Headphones Leak the Sound?

It’s really hard to know whether or not your headphones are leaking sound especially when you are enjoying your favorite song. Here is how to test it in 2 minutes.

Record the sound with a microphone while listening, but not from the smartphone you usually use. This method will give you better results.

How to Prevent Sound Leakage from Headphones?

To prevent sound bleeding, read carefully how the manufacturer represents their product. Usually, go for;

  • IEMs.
  • Eartips.
  • Foamed ear tips. 
  • Closed-back headphones
  • The headphones that feature Noise-Isolating feature.

Headphones to avoid are:

  • Open-back headphones.
  • Bone conduction headphones.
  • On-ear headphones.
  • Semi-open headphones.

Final Thoughts

The sound leakage can be disturbing at times, in order to prevent that from happening, choose the right headphones that are designed Over-Ear and Close-Back headphone types. For deeper prevention, check whether the headphones feature a Noise-Isolation feature to block all the noises in, so it won’t spread outside.

Note that some headphones with ANC won’t deliver that natural flow of the music. Those headphones that leak sounds provide more natural tones. This depends highly on what kind of headphones you possess.

Don’t avoid comfort if you plan to wear them for a long time, so you won’t end up hurting your ears.

The sound leakage isn’t bad as it seems, but if you want some privacy now you know what to look for.

Further Reading

As an alternative, you can check out the worldly-known quality Beyerdynamic Headphones released till now. If you are into classical music, then go ahead and check the Headphones For Classical Music, I’m sure you will find your soul there.

For my electronic dance music lovers, I have some Best Headphones for your ear pleasure. For the studio version, click Studio Headphones Under $100. 

The bargain-priced headphones and matchless quality seekers, the special Over-Ear Headphones Under $100 will leave you with nothing, but the satisfaction of the sound quality. Still too much, well there is another option for you to choose Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $50.

Your ears are too big and the headphones are making you uncomfortable? No biggie, get the Best Headphones For Big Ears, you won’t regret your decision.

If you are looking for a pair of headphones as a gift to your toddler, or you want to make them quiet while flying, then check this Headphones For Toddlers.

 

 

Whether you’re looking for information on audio equipment, looking to learn more about how things work in the music field, or looking for reviews of products, we got you covered!

 
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