Hi folks, we’ve been busy researching closed-back monitoring headphones to help you figure out what you need to make your best audio and video content and stay on budget.
Links to all the products in the review are in the description box below, where you'll find current pricing for your region wherever possible.
What is the point of closed-back headphones?
Imagine you're singing a vocal track into a sensitive microphone while listening to the band through your headphones. The sound and mixing engineers want to be able to get the best vocal sound they can without having the sound of the band bleeding through from your headphones. Closed-back headphones isolate this sound and prevent it from bleeding through into your vocal track.
So what do we recommend? Here are five that we tested and reviewed at GMT.
Sony MDR-7506
The Sony MDR-7506 is a staple in the world of recording. The low impedance and closed-ear design effectively shut out background noise and provide plenty of audio regardless of your location. The swiveling ear cups make these headphones comfortable to wear.
The MDR-7506 is designed to let you hear what's wrong with your audio by emphasizing certain parts of the frequency range; this makes them ideal for mixing and recording. They produce a clear and punchy sound that doesn't flatter the original audio.
The body of the Sony MDR-7506 headphones is made entirely out of plastic, making them lightweight. They fold up into a soft carrying case that will fit well inside your bag.
You don't have to worry about breaking and replacing the cable - these headphones feature a non-removable, super thick, and durable coiled cable.
The Sony MDR-7506 headphones are ideal for streamers, editors, or anyone working long hours in the office. For an affordable price, you can get closed-back monitoring headphones that will aid you in perfecting your craft.
Buy the Sony MDR-7506 (Paid Link) - https://geni.us/YimEj
KRK KNS 8400
KRK are known for their top-notch monitoring speakers, but they also produce a range of headphones, including the KNS 8400. These closed-back monitoring headphones are perfect for studio use because they are affordable and produce high-quality sound.
The sound on these headphones has been crafted with the studio monitor speakers in mind, allowing you to record and mix just as you would on speakers. The KNS 8400s have a natural, wide frequency range with an accurate high end along with low-frequency definition. They perfectly reproduce the low bass of your recording with detail and clarity.
Extended hours of work won't be an issue when you're using the KNS 8400s. They use soft memory foam earcups that conform to your ear, giving you a comfortable fit. You also get up to 30 decibels of external noise canceling with these closed-back monitor headphones.
It's easy to bring the KNS 8400s with you. They fold up and slip it into their soft carrying case. The cable, headband and ear cushions are all replaceable, which ensures the long life of these headphones.
These headphones are perfect for people who value comfort during editing. They are affordable and come with the benefit of accurate sound quality, like studio monitors. The KRK KNS 8400s are great for editors, sound engineers and studio work in general.
Buy the KRK KNS 8400 (Paid Link) - https://geni.us/xIFS
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is an affordable, all-rounder closed-back monitor headphone. The design of these headphones is stylish but not distracting.
The build is made of plastic with a metal headband, making them light and durable.
The earcups rotate up to 90-degrees allowing them to lie flat on your neck when not in use. The leather padding also provides a great deal of comfort for long-term use despite its chunky appearance.
The cable is removable and the ATH-M50X comes with three separate cables with a 3.5mm jack.
These headphones emphasize lower frequency sounds with ease and are great for listening to or mixing classical music.
The upper frequencies that string instruments produce sound great on the ATH-M50X. The mids and highs are easily noticeable because of the little auditory masking on these headphones.
High frequencies are clear and detailed, which is great for monitoring purposes. Whether you're looking for great quality closed-back headphones for casual listening or studio monitoring, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is a great choice.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X (Paid Link) - https://geni.us/6EHQG
Focal Listen Pro
The Focal Listen Pro sound as good as they look. The headband fits snugly but doesn't cause discomfort. The red accents against the black really make them pop. The memory foam earcups make long-term listening a comfortable experience while contributing to sound isolation.
The Focal Listen Pro headphones have a perfectly balanced transparent frequency response, giving you silky highs, punchy lows and clear mids.
The soundstage is impressive. Vocals don't sound muddy even at low volume. The upper mids are brought out, making it easy to determine what frequencies you need to adjust while mixing.
Focal knows that professional headphones are subject to constant wear and tear. The Listen Pro was designed to be durable and reliable. With a joint integrated into each earcup, they rotate horizontally and vertically.
The Focal Listen Pro packs great value into these closed-back headphones covering both comfort and sound quality. This makes them ideal for anything from casual listening to studio mixing.
Buy the Focal Listen Pro (Paid Link) - https://geni.us/vSjX
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is a match made in heaven for the studio, specifically musicians. They come in three impedance variants: 32, 80 and 250 ohms. The 80 ohms headphones offer the best compromise of all features. They cover a wide audio spectrum without producing muddy sound. These are slightly bass-heavy headphones and tend to emphasize the lower frequencies.
Mid-tones sound great, with vocals and instruments sounding crisp and clear. Cymbals and stringed instruments can sound shrill if not mixed properly. These reference headphones don’t color the sound, enabling you to produce high frequencies that are pleasant to listen to on all devices. Your productions will sound great on the DT 770 Pro headphones, allowing you to monitor issues accurately.
Beyerdynamic's design stands out, with its velour padding that is a notch above other closed-back headphones in terms of comfort. The padding doesn't squeak or catch when you move.
You don't need to worry about your ears getting too hot when using the DT 770 Pro because they don't retain as much heat as their leather counterparts.
Metal is integrated into the design of these headphones for increased durability. There is metal in the band and earcup forks while the earcups themselves are covered with a thick and durable layer of plastic. The cable is protected by a lot of plastic and rubber to prevent breaks in the wiring.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is perfect for studio use and musicians who need heavy-duty closed-back monitor headphones. The paddings are replaceable and emphasize the long lifespan of these headphones.
Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (Paid Link) - https://geni.us/HIxgb
