Open Back vs Closed Back Headphones What ’ s the Difference ?
For all audiophiles , Open-back vs . closed-back headphones is a perennial dilemma . What is the difference between them ? Getting straight to the point , it ’ s the difference in the way their housings are constructed . For personal listening and professional applications where external noise or using your phone ’ s speaker is an issue , a closed-back design will be your best friend . For casual listening at home or behind closed doors , you may like a pair of open-backs . Here ’ s more .
Open-back Headphones Closed-back Headphones
Quick history
In 1968 , Sennheiser ’ s HD 414 headphones became the first open-back headphones to hit the consumer market . They were less boxy-sounding than closed-backs and came with a lightweight , low-profile design . This made them extremely popular . Consumers and professionals immediately fell in love with the design , using them alongside the models of years past . Since then , brands like Beyerdynamic , Focal , and AKG have helped push open-back headphones to new levels of performance , affordability , and comfort .
What lies inside
Open-back headphones have a similar design to closed-back headphones with an important distinction . The outer housing has built-in gaps . This lets air and sound go through the earcup . A perforated housing eliminates pressure buildup and encourages a more natural sound that ’ s ideal for critical listening . They ’ re lightweight and incredibly comfortable for prolonged usage .
Performance
The improved sound reproduction of open-back headphones comes at the expense of isolation . Open-back headphones are not capable of blocking any ambient noise , which means that anyone nearby will hear what you ’ re listening to . However , this lack of isolation delivers a listening experience in a class of its own . Instead of sounding like you ’ re in the isolation booth with a singer , you get the experience of being in a concert within the confines of your living room . Open-back headphones are excellent for critical listening applications , mixing , and everyday use at home .
Summary
• Perforated housing lets air and sound travel freely in and out of the earcups
• Delivers a spacious , airy sound
• Provides no isolation
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Quick history
Prior to 1937 , closed-back headphones were chiefly used by the military and radio / telephone operators . Sensing a gap in the market , Beyerdynamic introduced the DT 48 headphones — the first consumer-grade headphones . They became incredibly popular but were unable to play audio in stereo . By 1958 , the first modern closed-back model , the Koss SP / 3 stereo headphones , took the world by storm . Since then , manufacturers have been pushing the limits of headphone design to produce more realistic sounds and better isolation and to deliver active noise cancellation . As a result of that , closed-back headphones have become extremely popular among audiophiles today .
What lies inside
Closed-back headphones are built exactly how the name suggests . The housing of closed-back headphones is sealed to block any sound from escaping . This has the same effect on outside noise , as well , giving you fantastic isolation . As a result , these hospitals tend to feel more substantial and chunkier than their open-back counterparts .
Performance
Closed-back headphones are so popular because they shut out the world and let the music take center stage . You ’ ll notice a slight boost in the bass response ( especially in non-monitor headphones ) and a certain amount of passive isolation . By providing passive noise cancellation , closed-back headphones make you feel as if you ’ re in the studio with those you ’ re listening to . This performance characteristic is excellent when focus and concentration are paramount . Closed-back headphones are the first choice for studio use , too . They let you track quiet instruments or voices without worrying that the mic might pick up headphone sound .
Summary
• Closed housing seals around your ears and prevents sound and air leakage
• Provides isolation from the outside world
• Enhanced bass response