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Thread: Headphones open or closed back

  1. #1
    Join Date: Aug 2016

    Location: Kent UK

    Posts: 223
    I'm Paul.

    Default Headphones open or closed back

    Hi all

    Hope this is the correct section for this question

    Just moved to a new home and playing music through speakers is not going to be an option, so will be looking into getting some decent headphones.

    First question

    From an audio listening point of view which is better Open or Closed Back.

    Any recommendations for some that would not break the bank, say £150 max

    Thanks for any input on this

    Paul
    Current setup Thorens TD-160 Mk1 with Denon DL-110 MC Cartridge, Pioneer PD-8700 CD Player, Yamaha AX-592 Amp, Yamaha CDX-810 CD Player, Yamaha KX-480 Cassette Deck, Yamaha TX-492RDS Tuner, Monitor Audio Bronze 5 speakers, Van-Damme Cables throughout.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    opens leak a lot of sound usually... both ways so if thats an issue the closed might be the option. Funny but after some research i just bought a pair of closedback Audio Technicas for listening. I am very happy with them.. ath msr7. great build and sound for the money imv
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

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  3. #3
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: East Yorkshire, UK

    Posts: 1,224
    I'm Mark.

    Default

    It's a personal choice and headphones are a slippery slope to more expense as great headphones are spendy.

    Closed back will also help stop sound leaking in, with open back if there is some other noise such as a loud TV or hoovering you will probably hear it especially on the quiet parts of music.

    Ideally noise cancelling that sounds good would be ideal to escape into your own world of music.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jul 2012

    Location: dunfermline

    Posts: 664
    I'm martin.

    Default

    I use open back when I just want to listen alone late at night, no one to annoy with the leaking sound and I have a closed back pair for when she's watching shit on the telly so I don't disturb her. Both pairs are comfy and sound fine to me.
    Please take good care of your S2k keep it by your side for long and enjoy it from the bottom of your heart and share the quality and legacy of the S2k with many friends so that the legend of the S2k will continue for long. Shigeru Uehara Designer Honda S2000.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Mar 2015

    Location: Bristol

    Posts: 371
    I'm Sean.

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    can't say I've tested many headphones but I have these for years which I like and at £17.50 they definitely won't break the bank!

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Monoprice-P.../dp/B007SP2CO2

    They are closed back, I do also have some Goldring DR100 open back and I find the sound good but they are less versatile and need quiet background noise. We encourage my son to use them when gaming as he tends to shout less with the open back.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Feb 2012

    Location: Falun, Sweden

    Posts: 2,245
    I'm Mike.

    Default

    I would definently look into a set of Philips Fidelio X2 with that budget. They work just fine with smartphones and tablets but will compete with cans ten times their price when driven by a proper head amp. (Schiit Jotunheim e.t.c.)
    Cheers
    Mike

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Worcestershire, UK

    Posts: 1,101
    I'm Rob.

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    For your budget, I'd recommend AKG 701. At £120ish (e.g. on amazon) they are an end of line steal. I paid almost twice that much a couple of ears ago and thought I had a bargain.

    They are open backed. Here is a review.

    Rob.
    Powered by crossed fingers and clenched buttocks

  8. #8
    Join Date: Nov 2011

    Location: Newcastle UK

    Posts: 3,745
    I'm Rich.

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    I prefer a closed back style. Mine are these Audio Technica ath-m50x. Within your budget and excellent.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00...cAL&ref=plSrch
    One of these days... I'm going to cut you into little pieces.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: gone

    Posts: 11,519
    I'm gone.

    Default

    AKG 701 are a bit Marmite. I know folks who love them but I hate them with a passion! - sound is light and boppy, very unsatisfying for me.

    I've been on a bit of a headphone journey the last year or so on a hunt for closed back 'phones I can listen to while my late-rising mrs is still in bed.

    The best I have found for me are Audio Technica DT-150, PSB M4U-1 and B&O H6.

    The B&O H6 are a bit bass light but very open sounding, especially for closed backs.
    The AT DT150 are very spacious but just a bit vague in imaging.
    The PSB M4U-1 are very solid sounding with the best defined and deepest bass, but the rest of the spectrum is excellent, too - a very dynamic presentation.

    My search is over and I will be keeping all 3 sets, as well as some B&O Form 2a, which are much cheaper but amazingly light and very open and detailed, if lacking in real bass weight.

    Critically, for me, all 3 of the above are very comfortable over-ear models - that is the ear cushions surround the ear rather than press on it. I find that headphones that clamp on to your ears rather than your head get very uncumfy very quickly, with the little B&O Form 2a being a notable exception.
    None of my choices leak sound to any significant degree.

    Comfort is a very personal thing, you really do need to try some and make up your own mind,

    And then their are IEMs - in ear monitors - that plug into your ear canal. Sound and isolation can be exceptional but I find them uncumfy.
    .

  10. #10
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

    Posts: 2,476
    I'm tony.

    Default

    Have a look at the THOMANN site. Superlux headphones are superb bang for buck cans. 660/440/330/668b are all worth a try-they sell a akg replacement felt ear pads that greatly improve comfort and fit all the above.

    My personal choice is Sennhieser 650/700 both outside your budget but if you are considering second hand they are cans for life.

    Have a read on headfi great site for cans users if you can navigate round the banal pish talked by some.....

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