Closed or open headphones? Differences, comparisons and costs

The great dilemma: is it better to buy closed or open headphones?

Buying closed or open headphones is one of those pleasant conundrums that music listeners are bound to face.

It is not just a stylistic choice, or perhaps a budget choice. Choosing the right headphones makes a difference especially in the production area. Therefore, it is good to dwell on the subject with a minimum of attention, trying to determine which model is closest to one's needs.

The analysis, in any case, starts from a basic note, trivial as you like but always correct. A good headphone always sounds good, whether closed or open.

What is the difference between closed and open headphones?

On a practical level, the difference between types of headphones is in design. Open headphones usually have some kind of grille, or air intakes, on the outside of the earcups. In closed headphones, it goes without saying that this feature is missing.

It is also true that this is not always the case, as the design choices of some manufacturers go to "muddy the waters," making it more difficult to distinguish.

Leaving aside aesthetics, one of the factors that most differentiates headphones is definitelysound insulation. Closed models, in this respect, offer better performance, with the earcups going to seal the ear. The pads are also made to fit snugly against the head.

Open headphones, on the other hand, have anopening in the outer area of the earcup. Therefore, they let outside sounds pass through, with less sound isolation.

To produce, is it better to buy open or closed headphones?

Wondering whether to buy closed or open studio headphones is really a big question.

In closed headphones, as mentioned, the earpiece goes to completely cover the ear, sealing it off. In fact, audio circulates exclusively within the space bounded by the pads. This does not happen with an open pair of headphones.

A whole series of considerations follow from this simple difference:

• Closed headphones are preferred if the environment in which you are producing is particularly noisy. External noise, therefore, is eliminated;
• With closed headphones, the sound is more compact and full-bodied. Their structure, however, can lead to too much bass enhancement;
• With open headphones, on the other hand, you struggle to work if you are in a noisy environment. Their structure, however, gives a more natural, in some cases airy and well-spaced sound.

In summary: If you find yourself producing in a quiet environment, open headphones are anexcellent choice (even for mixing). On the contrary, one should target closed headphones.

Speaking of production, it is also inevitable to mention monitor headphones, designed precisely for professional use, which do not tend to alter the frequency response and thus offer a flat and reliable response. If you would like to discuss this further, feel free to read our special: "How to choose monitor headphones and the best studio models."

What are the best closed-back headphones?

The best headphones are those that sound good and can be worn with ease for more than 30 minutes. Once again, these may sound like mere platitudes, but they are not.

One must always remember that in addition to sound quality, attention must be paid to the structure of the headphone itself. In this sense, circumaural headphones (which completely surround the ear) seem more suitable than supra-aural (which instead rest on the ear), at least for production purposes.

In any case, we have previously tried to compile a small list of the best closed models on the market in this article, "The Best Closed Headphones for Listening, Production and Entertainment."

Why are Sennheiser open headphones so popular?

When talking about headphones - any model - sooner or later the name Sennheiser pops up in the discussion.

That's because the brand based in the small town of Wedemark is undoubtedly one of the most highly regarded brands in the audio industry.

In particular, one of the brand's best open headphones is the HD 599 model. An open dynamic design with circumaural design that offers round sound and extreme comfort even for longer sessions. An absolute quality headphone with a relatively inviting price, especially for hardened audiophiles.

Of Sennheiser head phones-both open and closed-ended-we have also had the pleasure of talking aboutthem on other occasions, such as in thearticle devoted to wireless models.

HiFi Prestige's open and closed headphone offerings

As seen, setting goals such as finding the best closed headphones or determining which type of device is better than the other is quite difficult.

Several parameters must be considered before deciding whether closed headphones are better than open headphones, and vice versa:

• Occasion of use;
• Environment of use;
• Budget and price range;
• Personal tastes.

The best headphones, we would like to say, are those that sound good for one's needs. These could be open, closed, circumaural or supra-aural models. Maybe the best studio headphones, the ones with the sound quality you've been looking for all your life, are the most unsuspected. They don't have to be the most expensive ones, but the ones that really adhere to one's needs.

We at HiFi Prestige are pleased to offer a wide catalog of headphones, capable of tantalizing enthusiasts with inviting value for money.

For any information, please feel free to send your inquiry to info@hifiprestige.it.