Finding a great pair of headphones can be a daunting task. The sheer variety alone is overwhelming. Leaving aside the debate over open-back versus closed-back — each has its advantages and drawbacks — we’re going to focus on closed-back headphones and flesh out three key features to consider when looking for the best ones on the market: fidelity, comfort, and design.
Best Closed-back Headphones:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Wildly popular among the DJing community, but also having earned legions of fans who just want great sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x studio monitoring headphones have earned a solid rep as closed-back headphones that deliver a beautifully balanced sonic range. In the DJ world, the ATH-M50x headphones hit that sweet spot of a flat, 15Hz to 28kHz frequency response — ideal for hearing the kick, the hi-hat, and the myriad other midrange instruments like synth. They are also incredibly flexible, featuring cans that swivel 90 degrees in either direction, flip up and out easily, and fold into the headband for incredibly convenient storage and portability. A set of three detachable cables in various lengths are also part of this set. As far as comfort goes, the ATH-M50x’s earcups are soft on the ears, featuring an improved pleather (imitation leather) material that breathes and stays cool even as your listening session heats up. The ATH-M50x’s cushioned headband feels great either on your head or around your neck.
Best Closed-back Headphones:
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
If you spend a lot of time in the studio, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones are great cans for monitoring. Featuring 32dB of noise attenuation, these headphones shut out the world and allow you to focus on the mix. The impedance is perfectly suited for either studio or pleasure listening, so when you want to listen to music from your cellphone, these headphones still translate the audio with a high level of fidelity. The HD 280 Pro’s ultra-comfortable earcups swivel 90 degrees up, out, and to the side. What’s really cool is that the cushion portion on the headband zips off easily and can be replaced if it ever wears out.
Best Closed-back Headphones:
Shure SRH440
If you are looking for a sturdy pair of headphones, the Shure SRH440s are a solid pro-level set. With an impressive 10Hz–22kHz frequency response, the SRH440s give you an outstanding range of lows, mids, and highs. The SRH440s also have some cool features like color-coded left/right earcup identifiers and a numbered setting for the adjustable headband. The SRH440s fold out, up, and in toward the headband for easy portability and storage. The SRH440s also have a detachable headphone cable.
Best Closed-back Headphones:
Sony MDR-7506
Among the most popular headphones in the field of recording/video/broadcast are the Sony MDR-7506. These ultra-light 8 oz. headphones sit on your ears without weighing you down. They are ideal for use with portable devices like cellphones or iPads. The headband on the MDR-7506 has a wide range of adjustments to fit just about any sized head, and the earcups are super comfortable. The MDR-7506 headphones have an impressive 10Hz–20kHz frequency response that has earned a solid rep for stellar high and midrange output. The earcups on the MDR-7506 also fold up and in but do not swivel horizontally. The headphone cable on the MDR-7506 is secured in place, so it won’t get lost.
Best Closed-back Headphones:
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
If you’re wanting a bit more boom, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones offer bass reflex technology that produces voluminous low end for audiophiles who are all about that bass. With a 5Hz–35kHz frequency response, these cans also give you rich highs and midrange. The DT 770 Pro’s earcups are legendary for their comfort, featuring removable, super-soft velour covers. The headband also features padding with a genuine leather cover. The earcups fold up and in but do not swivel horizontally, and the headphone cable on the DT 770 Pro is attached. The DT 770 Pro headphones come in either 32-ohm, 80-ohm, or 250-ohm models — the 32-ohm is best for portable devices, the 80-ohm is ideal for DJing, and the 250-ohm version is perfect for professional studio applications such as mixing and mastering.
These are just some of the features to consider when looking at purchasing closed-back headphones. Depending on your needs, there may be other brands or models that may better suit your needs. Don’t hesitate to call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 to discuss which closed-back headphones are right for you.