When my open-back headphones started to bother my colleagues, I knew it was time to look for the best closed back headphones. It became an interesting quest, because I wanted to find the ideal balance of noise isolation and audio fidelity for my work.
I was determined to get headphones capable of handling the demands of video editing, music production, and podcasting, since I work as a technical expert and retoucher at FixThePhoto. I run different tests, seeking to balance comfort, precise sound, and affordability.
After testing 45+ closed-back headphones with my team, I decided to share my findings. I believe that many creative professionals who look for headphones will benefit from my article.
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is the best closed back headphones due to efficient sound isolation, comfortable fit, and impressive sound quality at an affordable price ($49). This model also boasts comfortable ear cups and great noise isolation, so you can rely on these headphones if you regularly work in shared environments and want to be fully focused on your work.
When looking for the best closed headphones for content creation, I concentrated on models that could deliver exceptional sound isolation, comfort, and clear audio. To make an informed decision, I researched various sources, including Amazon rankings, Reddit communities, expert reviews, and influencer recommendations.
Surely, I wanted the highest quality, but I also took the cost of headphones into account. In this overview, you can find options ranging from a budget-friendly $49 pair to a premium $699 model.
Amazon: 2K+ bought in the past month
BH: 120+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 50+ sold in the past year
I recently used the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x for a big video editing project. The task was to mix dialogues, music, and sound effects. These headphones really helped me do that. The closed-back design was amazing for my noisy office. It blocked out every distracting sound around me so I could concentrate on the fine details of the audio without any distractions.
I noticed a big difference in the bass with these closed-back headphones. The low-end diapason is clear and punchy, so I managed to fine-tune my mixes. I tested these headphones under $50 after watching a few video reviews about them. Such a design is great for blocking out noise, and the fit is comfortable. I was surprised that Audio-Technica also has a wireless version (ATH-M20xBT).
“When trying these headphones for podcast editing, they were great at blocking out office noise. I liked the deeper bass, as the audio sounded fuller. The only shortcoming is that the ear cups got a bit warm after wearing them for a while.”
Amazon: 400+ bought in the past month
Beyerdynamic: 50K+ bought in the past year
In my search for closed-back studio headphones, I came across the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones. I used them while working on a short film editing project. It was important to hear every detail, from the actors’ voices to the background music. The headphones came with a super long cable (3 meters), so I could move around without worrying about pulling them out.
I connected them to my audio interface and was really happy with the sound quality. The bass is deep and rich. The closed-back design is great for blocking out noise, so I can focus on my work. I also used them to listen to music and discovered new details in songs I thought I knew really well. They’re perfect for anyone who wants a top-notch listening experience.
Ann, one of my coworkers, tested out these headphones for recording music. She used them to monitor her recordings and make sure everything sounded good.
“I was really happy with their ability to block out noise, which let me concentrate on the details in my music. I bet theyэd sound even better with a dedicated amplifier, which is especially useful for the higher-resistance versions.”
Amazon: 4K bought in the past month
B&H: 1K sold in the past year
Adorama: 70+ sold in the past year
I tested the Sony MDR-7506 headphones with my pro audio interface for mixing. They were really reliable, and the sound was super accurate. I also tried them for gaming on my 49 inch monitor, using a 1/4-inch adapter. The noise canceling was amazing, so I could really get into the game.
To my mind, the Sony MDR-7506 can be deservedly called the best closed-back headphones for gaming thanks to the big 40mm drivers that give you a powerful sound. The frequency range is wide, so you can hear everything from the deep bass to the high-pitched sounds. They’re super comfortable with soft padding around the ears. I’ve been using them for hours and don’t feel any discomfort.
Since I tried to create an unbiased review, I lent these headphones to my coworker, Tata. She tried them out while editing a video. She plugged them into her 17-inch laptop and started working.
“The closed-back design is great for blocking out distractions, and the sound quality is impressive. I can hear every little detail in my audio. However, the long cord is a bit inconvenient when I work in a small office.”
Amazon: 400+ bought in the past month
B&H: 30+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 20+ sold in the past year
These AKG K361BT headphones greatly improve my podcasting setup. The over-ear design creates a nice seal that is crucial if you want to focus on the audio. The sound is very balanced, with a wide frequency range (15Hz – 28kHz) that captures everything from deep bass to sparkling highs. Pairing them with my laptop takes several seconds. The Bluetooth connection is rock solid.
These headphones have a balanced sound. Anyone involved in mixing and editing audio will appreciate such a characteristic. I could be fully concentrated on my recordings, as no surrounding sound got in. They were so comfy that I could wear them for hours without any discomfort. Overall, I’m really happy with my purchase, especially considering that these are headphones under 200 dollars.
“I like how they handle bass when I work on my music projects. The Bluetooth connection was pretty reliable. However, there were a slight delay when editing videos.”
Amazon: 300+ bought in the past month
B&H: 20+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 15+ sold in the past year
When picking the best closed-back audiophile headphones, I was determined to test the Sennheiser HD 569. I plugged them into my computer for video editing and started working on clips. Since they’re wired, there was no lag, and I could fine-tune the audio the way I wanted. The closed-back design kept out all the background noise, and I worked without getting interrupted.
The headphones use special 38mm Sennheiser speakers and have cutting-edge “Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement” technology to make the sound feel really “close”. I tried them out on a mix with lots of different sounds, like a busy street and people talking. The headphones picked up everything accurately and sounded clear. I was surprised at how well I could hear the smallest details.
My colleague, Kate, said that the closed-back design kept out outside noise very efficiently. Since she has a bigger head, she said it was great to find headphones for large heads that were comfortable for her.
“With Sennheiser HD 569, I was able to edit audio without getting distracted all the time. I really like the adjustable headband and the soft velvet ear cups.”
Amazon: 100+ bought in the past month
Focal: 30K+ bought in the past month
At first, I connected Focal Elegia to my portable audio player. Next, I switched to a headphone amp to see how they’d sound. / The Elegia produces a smooth sound, with great detail. I put on some orchestral music, and it felt like I was right there in the concert hall. The soundstage was so wide, and I could hear every little instrument.
One of the advantages of these top closed back headphones are headband and comfy ear cushions. Thanks to them, the model fits my head perfectly. Moreover, these headphones for ear health use special drivers that are made with a mix of aluminum and magnesium. These drivers let you hear a wide range of sounds (up to 23 kHz), and they make the music sound clear.
I asked my coworker, Eva, a real audiophile, to check out the Elegia headphones. She mostly used them for listening to music and gaming.
“I love how comfortable the memory foam ear cushions are. In addition, the noise isolation is great. But the sound quality wasn’t as good when I used them with devices that didn’t have a good audio output.”
Amazon: 200+ bought in the past month
LyxPro: 200+ bought in the past month
If you’re looking for headphones that you can wear for hours on end without any discomfort, the LyxPro HAS-30 is one of the best closed-back headphones currently available. The soft leather headband and plush ear cups make prolonged use a pleasure. I’ve used them for lots of recording sessions and they’ve never let me down.
I’m really impressed with how well these headphones block out noise. With them, I can enjoy my music without any distractions no matter how noisy the working environment is. I can hear all the little nuances in the music, including the softest whispers and the loudest crashes. They work with both the straight and coiled cables – few models on the market can offer the same versatility.
When my colleague Kate was looking for headphones for her DJ setup, I recommended this model. They were great at blocking out distractions, and the sound quality was surprisingly good for the price.
“These headphones are really comfortable, even after wearing them for a long recording session. I think these would be ideal headphones for teens for listening to music or playing games.”
FixThePhoto team and I understand that video editors, photographers, and other creatives rely on closed back headphones to focus on their work without distractions. That’s why we put together a team to test various models and see which ones offer the best sound quality and noise cancellation capabilities.
Sound quality & audio fidelity. We started by testing the overall sound quality of each model. We wanted to see how clear and accurate they were at reproducing different types of sound, like music, movies, and games. We wanted to be sure the highs, mids, and lows were properly balanced.
Noise isolation & sound leakage. Closed back audiophile headphones are great for blocking out distractions. We checked how well they could filter out noise from busy offices, noisy streets, and other environments. We also made sure that the sound stayed in the headphones so it wouldn’t bother anyone around you.
Comfort & fit. It is paramount to feel comfortable when you’re editing for hours on end. That’s why we checked the padding on the ear cups and the headband. We opted for models that were soft and didn’t cause any discomfort.
Durability & build quality. We wanted to see if these headphones were built to last. We checked the quality of the materials and construction, including the headband, hinges, and ear cups. Besides, our team examined the cable – it is crucial for the cable to be durable and don’t break easily.
Seal & bass response. A good seal means a good bass. If you are going to wear closed back headphones and want to receive deep, rich bass tone, opt for a model with a tight fit. When wearing headphones, we evaluated how well the ear cups sealed around our ears.
Ease of use & controls. Good headphones should be easy to operate, particularly by pressing buttons. We assessed how easy it was to control the volume, pause or play, and switch between different devices. Besides, our experts tested both wired and wireless headphones to detect any differences in how they worked. We paid special attention to wireless models with Bluetooth.
Price-to-performance ratio. We aspired to find headphones that give you the most bang for your buck. We looked at the sound quality, design comfort, noise-blocking capabilities, and overall durability. We wanted to find options for everyone, no matter how much you want to spend.
