Best Closed Back Headphones: Top 12 Models!

Top 12 Closed Back Headphones

Introduction

There are all sorts of audiophile headphones out there, but this guide is for those of us who love a good closed-back pair. If you want to block out the world and enjoy nothing but your favorite music, you’re in the right place.

That’s why we’ve put together this checklist of the best closed-back headphones to match every budget. The market is full of options, and while you could grab any pair, finding the right ones for your needs can be a bit challenging.

Each product has its own unique features, so to make things a little easier and simplify your search, we’ve distilled all the important information into this handy guide.

No matter what your budget is right now, it’s good to know what’s available so you can set your sights on future upgrades—or maybe even discover that some of the less expensive headphones can compete with those that cost an arm and a leg. Either way, let’s dive in!

Just so you know, we’ll be listing these top closed-back headphones in no particular order. The list is randomized because we don’t want to rank them from best to worst.

Listed below are our Top 12 Best Closed Back Headphones:

1. Shure SRH1540

Designed with luxury in mind, the Shure SRH1540 headphones are premium in every way—including the price, of course. They offer outstanding comfort and high-quality sound.

When it comes to sound reproduction, the Shure SRH1540 delivers a flat frequency response, punchy bass with incredible extension, open midrange, and resonant treble, bringing out every tiny detail in your audio. The only minor issue we noticed was a higher third harmonic distortion in the lower frequencies, but it’s not a dealbreaker.

With a sensitivity rating of 99dB, 46 ohms of impedance, and a frequency response range from 5 Hz to 25 kHz, these headphones offer some of the best technical performance you’ll find in any closed-back pair. They aren’t high-impedance headphones, so you can plug them directly into your audio interface without any problems.

We definitely recommend these for anyone looking for professional-grade wireless headphones that will last for years. The battery life is solid, allowing you to listen for extended periods, and the headphones provide excellent isolation. Shure clearly prioritized the best possible sound quality with this model.

Their durability comes from the use of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, which makes them strong yet lightweight. The only real reservation anyone might have is the high price tag. Otherwise, these closed-back headphones are virtually flawless.

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2. Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed Back

Compared to its original 2009 version, this LCD-2 model now features mini-XLR jacks that are separated from the wood rings, preventing the cracking that occurred in the earlier designs. In 2014, Audeze introduced their Fazor technology—triangle-prism-shaped waveguides on the magnets—which, according to Audeze, enhances imaging and detail.

This LCD-2 also features the 2016 driver revision, which significantly improved its ability to retrieve detail compared to the original driver used by Audeze. In 2018, the headband was updated to the suspension-style headband seen here, greatly improving comfort by distributing weight more evenly.

The LCD-2 has an impedance of 70 ohms and a sensitivity of 101dB. In practice, these headphones are actually quite easy to drive and don’t require an especially powerful amplifier. While we do recommend using an amp, it doesn’t need to be a top-of-the-line model. This is a great pair of headphones with good sound quality and some noise isolation.

Sound is definitely the most interesting aspect of the LCD-2. Normally, we wouldn’t start a review by talking about EQ, but in this case, it feels necessary. If you’re looking for a premium closed-back headphone set with crystal-clear sound that stands out from the rest, you’ll enjoy this piece of audio equipment!

If you’re interested in these headphones, we encourage you to keep an open mind about using EQ, or at least try the excellent Reveal+ plugin from Audeze, as these can truly unlock the full potential of the headphones.

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3. Mackie MC-350 Ltd

At first glance, the technical specs don’t seem extraordinary: the 50-millimeter drivers cover a frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and offer impressively low resistance at an average of 36.2 ohms. Thanks to this, the “350s” can deliver solid sound pressure levels even when paired with lower-powered equipment.

It’s clear that the 350s cost about twice as much as their little siblings, the 250s. This is mainly because the headband and earpad covers are made of genuine leather, and the earpads themselves are sewn, giving them a noticeable boost in quality. Overall, the MC-350s leave a strong impression; they use a lot of material, which also makes them look fairly bulky.

The MC-350 achieves its “crispness” with a particularly prominent midrange and high-frequency response—right where “fast” impulses occur. This adds clarity and transparency, which is extremely useful for studio work or recording, as no detail escapes your notice.

On the other hand, for relaxed music listening in your living room, this sound signature can feel a bit “intense.” Also, the bass—which typically balances out strong trebles—leans more toward punchiness than volume. Still, with their well-balanced sound, these heavy-duty headphones perform well in any situation.

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4. beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro

The build quality of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is impressive—you can really tell these headphones are made to last. If we were to give star ratings for construction, the DT 770 PRO would get top marks. They’re made of both plastic and steel.

The earcups are crafted from thick plastic and have a satisfying, solid “thud” when you tap them. They connect to the headband with sturdy steel yokes that you can easily adjust up or down.

Since these are closed-back headphones, the DT 770 PRO can get a bit warm, but never to the point where you feel sweaty. The earcups are large and the padding is thick and comfortable. They fit nicely over your ears and don’t cause discomfort.

Even people who wear glasses will find these headphones comfortable. The headband is well-padded and can be adjusted to fit most head sizes. You’ll notice a bit of clamping force, especially when they’re new, but it isn’t overwhelming.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is a joy to listen to. The bass is deep, responsive, and nicely extended. The treble sounds great with no harshness or sibilance. The midrange is a little recessed, but instrument separation is excellent. Overall, these headphones are very musical and do a fantastic job of reproducing music for a great listening experience.

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5. Rode NTH-100 Professional Over-Ear Headphones

The NTH-100 packaging labels them as ‘professional’ over-ear headphones, and it’s clear these aren’t trying to compete with newer features—there are no touch controls, apps, or active noise-cancellation here, which you find in many of the best wireless headphones at this price. These are wired headphones, designed simply to deliver pure clarity no matter what you’re listening to, and that’s all they aim to do.

The Røde NTH-100 launched in March 2022, and they’re very competitively priced. There’s no shortage of over-ear headphones in this price range, but to be honest, they’re a bit of a throwback. There aren’t many wired, closed-back over-ear headphones these days with specs as straightforward as these. The NTH-100, it’s safe to say, is made for a very specific kind of listener.

Each earcup houses a 40mm full-range dynamic driver, with a claimed frequency response of 5Hz to 35kHz. In the box, you’ll find a screw-on 3.5mm-to-6.3mm jack adapter and a soft carry case. What’s most striking at first about the NTH-100 is just how open they sound.

Even though they’re closed-back headphones—which means you won’t bother people around you while wearing them—the sound they produce is so big and spacious, it’s more like what you’d expect from open-backed headphones. And open-backed headphones that can create a large, well-defined, and tightly controlled soundstage are exactly what many people love!

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6. Audio-Technica ATH-M70 X

Wondering whether the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x headphones are better than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a fair question. However, it doesn’t seem like Audio-Technica is eager to give a direct answer. Instead, they say that while the ATH-M70x is their new flagship model in this line, both headphones are excellent. After testing them ourselves, we tend to agree: these are among the best headphones Audio-Technica offers. The main difference really comes down to price.

With a maximum input power of 2W (at 1kHz), these headphones can handle plenty of power, delivering sound pressure levels that are almost too much to handle. Even when pushed to the limit on any studio headphone amp, distortion is barely noticeable. Since these headphones have full-bandwidth transducers, the first area to show distortion is the bass (because of the larger diaphragm movements); so once again, lighter bass translates to more perceived ‘loudness’.

The frequency response also seems to produce a narrower stereo image than we’d expect, possibly due to a weaker central anchoring from the low-frequency range, which typically doesn’t pan out to the sides.

As with all listening experiences, subjectivity plays a big role. After some time with the M70x, my ears and brain adjusted, and my perception normalized compared to the main monitors I know well. These are a great pair of headphones with solid noise-canceling abilities and decent sound quality.

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7. Neumann NDH 20

The foldable NDH 20 headphone model comes packaged in a stylish product box with two interchangeable cables. You’ll find a coiled cable, which saves space and gives you a bit of extra range, as well as a straight cable for times when you only need a short connection from headphone to ear.

These headphones feature two specially developed dynamic 38 mm drivers, delivering an impressive 1,000 mW of power and a maximum sound pressure level that exceeds 100 dB SPL.

Neumann promotes the NDH 20 as offering a linear sound profile. The frequency range stretches from 5 to 30,000 Hz, which is undeniably expansive.

This wide frequency range isn’t just impressive on paper—the headphones deliver outstanding results in practice. Low frequencies can often be challenging for headphone hardware, but the NDH 20 handles them effortlessly.

One final point worth mentioning is the excellent sound isolation these headphones provide. The NDH 20 excels in this area, offering outstanding suppression of external noise with minimal audio leakage from the listener.

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8. Sennheiser HD-25

The build quality of the HD25 is excellent. These headphones are designed to be true workhorses, primarily for DJing and monitoring purposes—situations where headphones see much more use than typical consumer models.

The HD25’s high output and outstanding isolation—features originally developed to help outside broadcast engineers monitor audio in extremely noisy environments—make these headphones exceptionally capable for DJ use.

With their minimalist look and the ability to rotate each ear cup for single-ear listening, the HD25 quickly became a classic. This feature lets you listen to your cued track while keeping one ear on what’s currently playing.

The rugged, lightweight, and comfortable design means you can toss them in your bag and head to your gig without worrying about damaging them.

Sennheiser is best known for their open-back headphones and their somewhat relaxed sound signature, which critics sometimes call “veiled.” Typically, they deliver accurate bass and midrange, while the treble is gently rolled off for a detailed yet easy listening experience.

The HD25, however, has the most aggressive sound signature we’ve heard from a Sennheiser headphone. It’s powerful, exciting, intense, and yet still manages to remain accurate.

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9. Austrian Audio Hi-X60

Austrian Audio has introduced the Hi-X60, a closed-back version of their open-back Hi-X65 headphones. We took a look—and a listen—to see how the Hi-X60 performs on the go.

According to the manufacturer, the technical specifications of the Hi-X60 are identical to those of the Hi-X65. Like the Hi-X65, the Hi-X60’s drivers deliver audio in a frequency range from 5 Hz to 28 kHz.

This means they exceed the typical human hearing range at both the low and high ends. With a maximum output of 110 dB SPL and a distortion factor of less than 0.1%, this model promises distortion-free audio even at very high volumes. Thanks to a low impedance of just 25 ohms, these headphones can also achieve sufficient volume even on low-voltage outputs.

Transparent, clear highs and an open, airy treble range immediately signaled that quality is a priority here. Voices and vocals stood out in the midrange without sounding harsh. Bass was reproduced with tasteful restraint and remained present even at the lowest frequencies.

Depending on the audio source, however, you might need to use an equalizer to ensure that the low bass is as prominent as the other frequency ranges. When adjusted, the Hi-X60 still delivers clean, distortion-free sound at higher volumes.

However, with more complex productions—like modern pop songs—the highs can sometimes dominate the listening experience, causing other elements to take a back seat.

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10. Ultrasone Pro-900i

The Bavarian manufacturer Ultrasone offers professional studio headphones with the Pro 900i. The company’s lineup features a total of five “i” models, with the Pro 900i being the top-of-the-line and most expensive option. We took a closer look at the Ultrasone Pro 900i and gave it a thorough listen.

According to Ultrasone, the closed-back, dynamic Pro 900i headphones deliver a frequency response of 6 to 42,000 Hz. The impedance is 40 ohms at the lower end, and the maximum SPL is listed at 96 dB. Unfortunately, as is often the case, these technical specs reveal little about the actual sound quality.

A special feature of some Ultrasone headphones is the “S-Logic Plus” technology. Instead of placing the headphone drivers in the center, Ultrasone shifts them forward and downward.

This design directs sound first to your outer ear, incorporating the shape of the ear into the listening experience. The goal is to improve spatial perception.

The sound of the Pro 900i immediately stands out for its deep bass foundation. This is great for electronic music production or hip-hop, but can be overwhelming for other genres. While this might work well for vocal or instrument recordings, it could pose challenges when mixing and mastering.

The headphones also come across as a bit sluggish in the bass range. For example, they don’t respond as quickly or sharply to short kick drum hits as the K812 does.

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Best Closed Back Headphones – Latest Additions

11. Roland VMH-D1 V-Drum Monitoring Headphones

The VMH-D1 headphones have a truly luxurious feel when you hold them. In my opinion, the metal plates on the outside give these headphones a premium look and a satisfying weight. In the box, Roland provides a 3-meter drumming cable, a 1.5-meter listening cable, and a 1/4-inch adapter. You’ll also get a travel pouch, a cable restraint, and a simple headphone hanger.

There’s no need to settle for average headphones anymore. The Roland VMH-D1s deliver tight, punchy bass for kick drums, warm and full mids for snares and toms, and smooth, clear highs for cymbals.

You’ll also enjoy deep immersion in high-impact sound, especially when you customize your speaker settings. The best part is the ability to hear every detail—subtle overtones, realistic cymbal decays, and even the ambiance and room effects.

Are the VMH-D1s the best headphones for electronic drums? Compared to similar models, I think they are the best I’ve ever used. Their tight bass, warm midrange, and smooth top end make them perfect for electronic drummers. Using the VMH-D1s with your drum set is sure to be a rewarding experience.

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12. Behringer BH60 DJ Closed Back Headphones

It’s essential that your headphones deliver high-definition bass and crystal-clear highs across an ultra-wide dynamic range, whether you’re mixing a recording or monitoring a bass line.

This pair of closed-back studio reference headphones features high-quality, extra-large 51 mm neodymium drivers that provide exceptional high-resolution performance, so you can create music wherever you are without compromise.

Thanks to their secure fit and lightweight design, you can wear the BH60 headphones for long studio sessions without feeling any pressure on your head. The ultra-comfortable, thick ear cushions help block out ambient noise, allowing you to focus entirely on your performance.

The detachable cable is extra-long at 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), giving you more comfort and freedom of movement while seated. When it comes to comfort, nothing compares to the BH60!

In a studio filled with electronic equipment, this high-quality design is an indispensable companion for musicians and composers. With powerful 51 mm neodymium drivers and an extended frequency range (10 Hz – 35 kHz), the BH60 lets you hear the deepest kick drum thumps and the full shimmer of cymbals.

Perfect for double-checking your mix in the studio or DJing at a gig, the BH60 headphones are a must-try for everyone. And at such an incredible price, you have nothing to lose!

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Conclusion

Many closed-back headphones offer excellent noise cancellation and impressive sound quality. They are perfect for blocking out external noise and are ideal for long listening sessions. Noise isolation is definitely one of the most important features these ear cups provide.

If you ask us, there are many great headphones to choose from, but we would put the Audeze LCD-2 at the top of the list. For drummers, the new 2023 Rolands are a fantastic choice, and for all-round use, you can’t go wrong with the Hi-X60!

If you have any other questions about our topic, please let us know in the comment section below!