Best Closed Back Headphones

Finding the best closed back headphones is a very important step in every musician’s journey. If your profession is not related to recording and mixing, this review will be helpful for you. Choosing headphones is pretty responsible since you are going to use this device for hours. A perfect model should be suitable to all your purposes. If you travel a lot, a sturdy carry case and foldable design are required. Those who are working in the music business usually consider every technical feature such as frequency response or sensitivity.

To help you find the perfect pair of closed back headphones, I have compiled 6 different appliances. All of them provide decent sound quality. Here you are going to find out which one is the most appropriate for gaming and what headphone models are better to use for classical music. Moreover, the devices mentioned below are sold at very different prices. So, my review is useful for music lovers with any budget. In the next 5-10 minutes, you will discover lots of interesting facts about headphones from famous brands. Let’s find out which are the best sounding closed back headphones.

Best Mid-Price Closed Back Headphones Reviews

Sony WH-H900N - best overall

Considering all the information I can safely say that these are the best closed back audiophile headphones. They have 32 Ohm of impedance and 103 dB of sensitivity. Most music lovers like the Sony WH-H900N because of its incredibly wide frequency range which is 5 Hz - 40 kHz. The headphones are wireless and can work up to 28 hours. This device has a USB-C charging port and battery level indicator. I spent 6 hours charging the headphones. Consider that there is a battery-free listening mode available. Just plug in a 120 cm/3.9 ft long audio cable and play your favorite tracks if you have no opportunity to charge the appliance.

The mentioned headphones weigh 290 g/10.2 oz and have a built-in microphone that makes it possible to take calls. If you want to adjust the volume or change the track, you can use built-in buttons, touch panel, or in-line control. Moreover, for using different functions there is voice control. Call Siri or Google Assistant if you need anything. The headphones have a quick attention mode which is very comfortable.

For connecting Sony WH-H900N with other devices you will have Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC. If there is a lot of noise around you, just turn on active noise canceling, choose an appropriate level, and enjoy music with fantastic clarity. But if this function is unneeded at the moment, just turn it off and the battery life will be extended to 34 hours. In addition, the headphones made by Sony have aptX HD support which means the quality of the music played on this appliance will be truly great.

Sound

These headphones sound well-balanced and very natural. The mids here are incredibly strong and rich, while the low-end frequencies you hear are highly detailed. Sony WH-H900N does not sound sharp even on very bright tracks and comes with a pretty good customizable EQ.

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC

This is the next device that definitely deserves your attention since it weighs only 238 g/8.4 oz and comes with a 140 cm/4.6 ft audio cable that can be used if you have run out of battery. The manufacturer has opted for the 2.5 mm port on the headphone while the other end of the cable is a 3.5 mm jack. Speaking of battery life, this device can work up to 19 hours with ANC (active noise canceling) on and 25 hours with this function off. You have to charge the device made by Sennheiser for 2 hours.

If you are going to travel with this pair of headphones, just fold them up and put in a canvas carry case that comes with this appliance. Making phone calls with Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC is easy and comfortable as it has a microphone that provides exceptional clarity of sound. If you want to answer the call or change the track, press one of the built-in buttons.

I have no problem connecting the HD 4.50 BTNC with my phone and tablet as the headphones support Bluetooth. Once paired to a chosen appliance, the connection will be continuously re-established, each time you switch the headphones on. Moreover, they have NFC support that makes this device simply versatile. Although the sound provided by the considered headphones is decent, they have no aptX.

I would like to tell you more about the technical features of this model. Their level of sensitivity is 113 dB and impedance is 32 Ohm. With regard to frequency response, the headphones produce music in a range of 18 Hz and 22 kHz.

Sound

Music sounds very balanced and simply spectacular across all genres. The rich details and vividness delivered by this device make listening enjoyable. These headphones impressed me with their power, especially in the bass range. They offer tonality, dynamics, and definition.

SteelSeries Arctis Pro - for gaming

These headphones are for those who hardly can imagine their life without gaming. All the functions and features of this device make it the best closed back headphones for gaming. Let’s start with the fact that the Arctis Pro has an over ear design and weighs 425 g/15 oz. Compared to previous appliances mentioned here, this model is wired. You get a 300 cm/9.8 ft long audio cable with it. The good news is that this cable can be replaced in case of damage.

The luxurious construction of the device offers a consistent fit. The headphones provide well-detailed sound because you must hear every sound while playing a game. The frequency range of this device is 10 Hz - 40 kHz. Its sensitivity is pretty high — 102 dB. In addition, the level of impedance is 32 Ohm.

The headphones are equipped with a detachable ClearCast microphone. It delivers studio-quality voice clarity and background noise cancelation. You can change different settings using a SteelSeries’ software suite. There are two main ways to control the device: built-in buttons and in-line control. The unit has a nice light indication. Overall, this appliance looks sleek, professional, and stylish.

Sound

The first thing worth mentioning is that there is a SteelSeries’ GameDAC. This is a Hi-Res Audio certified Digital-to-Analog Converter that can boost the audio quality of the device. Speaking of my game experience with these headphones, such sounds as footsteps and reloading enemies come through with fantastic clarity and great positioning. Surround sound provides optimal spatial imaging for complete 360-degree immersion.

Best Premium Closed Back Headphones Reviews

Sony WH1000XM3

I will start with the fact that these headphones are not only sleek-looking but also foldable. Probably they will not fit in your pocket but you can easily carry the device in a special case that comes with this model. You get the unit with a charging cable and audio cable. The mentioned headphones can work about 30 hours in case you use noise canceling. If this function is unneeded, then you have approximately 38 hours of playback. Side note, the charging time of this appliance is 3 hours.

Should you buy the WH1000XM3 or not? To answer the question, I will tell you about its technical characteristics, so you can make your own conclusion. The sensitivity of the Sony’s device is 104 dB, while the level of impedance is 16 Ohm. The sound provided by this pair of headphones is amazing since their frequency response is 4 Hz - 40 kHz. One more reason why the audio you get with them is awesome is aptX HD support.

This over ear unit weighs 380 g/13.4 oz and comes in black and silver. The headphones have Bluetooth 4.2 and support NFC. You can change the sound of the appliance in a Sony’s app. Speaking of the control, there are Siri and Google Assistant available. When you use the device with a cable, use in-line control. Its noise canceling has 20 levels, it allows you even to change the aggressiveness of the QN1 chip in order to hear more or less of your surroundings.

Sound

Bass is heavily emphasized in the LDAC and default SBC modes. I enjoyed the open, spacious sound that gives each instrument and vocal room to breathe. Mids are straightforward, highs come through crystal clear.

Bowers & Wilkins PX - for classical music

I added this device here as its premium built and excellent sound quality are going to blow you away. These are the best closed back headphones for classical music and they weigh 335 g/11.8 oz which makes them relatively lightweight. The sensitivity of the device is 111 dB. It is worth mentioning that the headphones have 22 Ohm of impedance and their frequency range is 10 Hz - 20 kHz. The sound quality provided by Bowers & Wilkins PX is great also because of aptX HD support.

The considered appliance has several levels of active noise cancelation, so you can choose the most appropriate one for every situation. A microphone lets you take and make phone calls. There are built-in buttons for changing the volume or using any other control functions. Moreover, you can do this all with the help of Google Assistant or Siri.

The headphones Bowers & Wilkins PX come with a cable for wired listening. However, it is not very likely that you will need it since the battery life of the device is 22 hours when the noise canceling is on and 50 hours when this function is off. As for the wireless connection, the headphones support Bluetooth 4.2, which means you can easily connect them with your phone or tablet.

Sound

Bowers & Wilkins PX has a super wide soundstage that makes the sound feel more free and airy than other quality noise canceling devices. I get a very realistic and natural sense of music with these headphones. If you want transparency, detail, and an even tonal balance from their headphones, you won’t be disappointed.

Best Budget Closed Back Headphones Reviews

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

The last appliance in my review has an over ear design and easy-to-adjust headband. The headphones are pretty cheap and lightweight since they have only 240 g/8.4 oz. They can be used exclusively with an audio cable. The wire you get with the ATH-M40x is 300 cm/9.8 ft long. This unit looks pretty big but it is foldable. You can travel with the headphones and have no problem with carrying it. Speaking of design, the look is somewhat minimal, yet stylish in an understated way.

I was delighted with the audio produced by these cans. The device has 99 dB of sensitivity and 35 Ohm of impedance which makes its sound really great. Besides, the frequency response of the headphones is 15 Hz - 24 kHz.

In the package, you will find a ¼ adapter (6.35 mm) with gold-plating that resists corrosion and ensures minimal signal loss. The headphones have a 3.5 mm jack for an audio cable. Unfortunately, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x has no microphone. There is also a lack of control buttons.

Sound

The audio character is warm, the tones are rich. The sound starts with a neutral signature, then sweetens the upper mids a bit to give female vocals and acoustic instruments a slightly airy, pleasant, very detailed quality. Overall, the headphones’ flat tuning still delivers clear and accurate sound across the mid and high-frequency ranges.

What are closed back headphones?

These models are suitable for lovers of tunes with low frequencies. Such headphones will appeal to those who listen to rock and metal. The bass, which is always present in the songs of these genres, will be most felt by the user of the closed device.

Closed units are suitable for DJs and musicians. Most of them are also great for commuting or traveling, since the sound is inside the headphones and the extraneous noise does not pass through them. Premium models are often used for music production (recording). In this review, I put together headphones that can be used for different purposes. So, now you know which pair is great for games and which device is suitable for classical music.

Compared to open headphones, these devices are cheaper. Another thing that sets them apart is the selection, as there are many more closed models on the market. Before the invention of noise cancelation, closed headphones allowed users to hear music better.

Closed headphones do not emit sound waves, directing them straight into the auricle. This design enhances the lower sound, making the bass more expressive. In fact, the user is surrounded by a sound directed toward the center of his head. Professional musicians call it a proximity effect. To conclude, closed back design offers a tight and punchy sound with extended low frequency range.

Closed back headphones pros and cons

Wireless vs. wired closed back headphones

There is a significant difference between the headphones with open and closed back. The thing is that there are a lot of wireless closed back models. They can be easily connected with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. With regard to open back units, normally they are wired. But what is better: wired or wireless closed back device?

Wireless headphones usually support a maximum of 768 kbps, while wired models are able to support up to 2,304 kbps. It cannot be said that the units with a cable sound better. However, consider that the further you are from the source of the sound, the worse is the audio quality.

Another thing to mention is the price. Wired models are normally much more affordable than those with Bluetooth support. Anyway, the headphones with wireless connection make you more free as their range is 700 - 1000 cm/23 - 33 ft, while the length of an audio cable is about 300 - 330 cm/10 - 11 ft.