Best Closed Back Headphones Under $200

Nowadays, the devices with a reasonable price and great functionality are not uncommon on the market. To find the best closed back headphones under 200 turned out to be pretty challenging. So, I did a little research, listened to my favorite tracks through lots of different devices, and chose three the finest ones. I included here headphones with different types of wearing style: on ear and over ear. To add, there are not only wireless models but also wired ones since I believe they deserve your attention, too.

The headphones in this review do a fantastic job of removing you from the noise of your environment. This makes them suitable for live-sound engineers since they are usually surrounded by a lot of noise. Moreover, such models also do not leak the sound, which means you can listen to music at high volumes even in the office or sitting near someone on the plane.

One more reason to buy a closed back appliance is the price. As a rule, the headphones with this type of enclosure are cheaper, although their features are impressive. Let's see what the world-known brands offer!

Best Over Ear Closed Back Headphones

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC - best overall

At the moment, these are the best closed headphones under 200. They have active noise canceling, so I could listen to music even in transport and while walking along noisy city streets. The HD 4.50 BTNC has 18 Ohm of impedance. Its sensitivity is 113 dB and the frequency range is 18 Hz - 22 kHz. The listed features allow the appliance to provide pleasant sound with good quality. AptX support also plays a significant role.

Available in black, these headphones have a nice matte finish with silver-colored details. The considered appliance can work for 25 hours with ANC off. But if there is a need for noise-cancelation, you have 19 hours of playback. Either way, you have to charge them for 2 hours before. However, it is not necessary as there is a battery-free listening mode.

The headphones are unbelievably lightweight as for a pair of over ear headphones - 238 g/8.4 oz. The built quality is sturdy, but lightweight enough for traipsing around town. The HD 4.50 BTNC has differently shaped ear cups and a significantly thinner headband. The device comes with a 120 cm/4.6 ft long cable that has to be plugged in a 3.5 mm jack. An important thing worth mentioning is that Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC supports Bluetooth and NFC. For control, a voice assistant is available. You get visual feedback from the LED.

Sound

They sound very open and airy. The headphones Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC have a balanced or neutral sound, with a little emphasized bass, recessed mids, and bright upper frequencies. Vocals have a real presence as they call and answer with the main melody lines.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x - best wired

This is the only wired device in this review. I find Audio-Technica ATH-M50x the best closed back headphones under $200 since they have spectacular features and can be bought for an affordable price. The mentioned appliance has an over ear wearing style and weighs 285 g/10 oz. Its soft adjustable headband provides a pleasant listening experience. The cable that comes with Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is 300 cm/9.8 ft long. It plugs in a 3.5 mm jack and can be replaced in case of failure.

The frequency response of the headphones is 15 Hz - 28 kHz which lets you hear a fairly detailed sound. Speaking of other technical characteristics, the sensitivity rate is 99 dB, while the impedance is 38 Ohm. The device is pretty big but it is foldable. If you are planning to travel with a pair of closed back headphones, this is the right one.

Sound

Individual sound elements come through very clearly and with impressive detail. There is a slight bass boost for more "fun" listening. The sound production is truly delightful. It feels like the artists and musicians are performing in the room.

These headphones are good for gaming. You are going to feel explosions and hear footsteps even if they're from the other side of the wall.

Best On Ear Closed Back Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT

The next device you see here is on ear and quite lightweight, it has only 185 g/6.5 oz. But the fact that makes it really special is the frequency response. The thing is that these headphones work in a range of 5 Hz - 40 kHz. If you aim to hear every little detail of your favorite song, this would be a great choice. With regard to other features, the headphones have 103 dB of sensitivity. Their impedance is 47 Ohm which means you won't need an amp to properly drive them.

I have to mention that this appliance is wireless and its battery life is 38 hours. This length of playback allows you to forget about charging the ATH-SR5BT for about a week. But do not forget to charge the device for 4 hours.

For control, there is a little joystick on the left ear cup that allows you to play/pause, skip tracks, and change volume. If you prefer voice control, Siri and Google Assistant are available. The built-in microphone allows you to take phone calls and everything will sound crystal clear. Speaking of wireless ways of connection, the ATH-SR5BT supports Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC. For decent audio quality, the manufacturer added aptX support.

Sound

Awesome stereo imaging makes well-produced music tracks sound intricate and involving. The mids and trebles are a bit too accentuated. The ATH-SR5BT really shines when you are using them with hi-res audio. Overall, the sound is very well balanced across the entire frequency range.