Best Headphones that don’t Leak Sound – Which One to Buy?

When it comes to headphones, it is very important to differentiate between two main types: closed headphones and open headphones. It’s a fairly straightforward notion: the best headphones that don’t leak sound are mainly used to record tracks, since they do not allow sound leaks that could ruin the mix.

Imagine you are recording voices in an open hearing aid model and the microphone picks up playback from the headphones – this would be a big mistake. Similarly, you could not mix and mash it with closed headphones, as they can slightly distort the overall mix, with some frequencies coming in front of what they should (especially bass).

Best Headphones that don’t Leak Sound

The mixing is always done in the open headphones, since they mix the sound more naturally with the environment, which allows a more realistic sound image. With this already said, we show you some of the best closed headphones on the market.

1. Sennheiser HD25-1 II – Closed Headphones

With an “old school, no frills” design, the HD25-1 II delivers goods on any front you decide to use. Whether it’s a studio producer, DJ or a cameraman, these headphones will cover all your needs. They excel in noise isolation and offer excellent sound quality. With a frequency range of 16 – 22000 Hz, you will not have to worry about

If you are looking for a set of professional studio headphones that are not a burden (literally, most pro-level models are quite heavy) and strive more towards quality than style – then, these headphones is perfect. A very versatile and robust equipment that does not fail you when you need it most.

2. AKG K550 – Closed Back Reference Headphones

A good pair of reference headphones can cost a lot of money. Fortunately, the saturation of the market forced manufacturers to find new ways to attract customers such as lowering the prices of particular products, when normally it would be much more expensive to get one of this device.

As the title says, these headphones really belong to the reference class, which means they have a flat frequency response and present a balanced sound image, as well as being a reference point in quality.

If you are looking for a great set of “true sound” headphones that will not put a huge dent in your wallet, these are undoubtedly one of the best closed headphones you can find at an excellent price.

3. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

When we talk about noise isolation in the best closed headphones, the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro really shines. You almost cannot hear anything from the outside when you put them on. They are a great option for anyone with a different taste for electronic music and rap and who are looking for a bit of bass-mastering sound. The “Bass Reflex” technology really keeps its promise.

​One of the possible drawbacks is its impedance of 250 ohms, so you may want to consider obtaining a headphone amplifier for maximum sound quality. More ohms demand more power to the headset but finally deliver better sound quality.

Fortunately, there are also the 32 and 80 ohm models available, so you can choose the best model according to your needs.

4. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Headphones

Audio Technica has always been a brand associated more with the overall quality of the product than with an eye-catching style and marketing gimmicks. The ATH-M50x is no exception to that rule, although these headphones have actually been very well designed. Its main weapons are the excellent 45 mm conductors manufactured with rare earth magnets and voice coils of excellent quality.

​Unlike its predecessor, the ATH-M50, this has removable cables so you will not have to worry about having to buy a completely new set of headphones if you have a cat or dog that likes to nibble on cables when you’re not around.

Jokes aside, this product offers enormous value for money and is appreciated by many professionals for good reasons.

5. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones

Offering an incredible 32db reduction in outside noise and a wide range of frequency response, HD280 Pro is a no-brainer in the “less than $ 100” category. Designed with comfort and ergonomics in mind, these are one of the best closed headphones when it comes to extended listening, which makes them a great choice for DJ headphones.

They are also lightweight and collapsible, and most of their parts are designed to be replaceable by the user.

The sound quality is comparable to many more expensive models, great tightness and precision (it is Sennheiser, after all). Perfect option if you are looking for a budget solution intended for a variety of uses. Read our review of the Sennheiser HD280

Conclusion

There are several things that you should keep in mind when choosing closed headphones. First, determine your approximate budget. The following would be noise cancellation levels.

Most of them do a pretty good job, but if you need exceptional noise isolation, you might want to go for 30db closed back headphones.