open-back and closed-back headphones

[brucedavid5465]

What is the difference between open-back and closed-back headphones? Is there a big difference in sound between them?

 

[staticV3]

Open-back headphones let in outside noise, closed-back headphones isolate you from outside noise.

Open-back headphones leak sound to the outside, closed-back don't.

Open-back headphones tend to have less bass than closed-back:


Open-back headphones are usually less sweaty than closed-back.

IMO, if your environment is quiet enough to where open-back headphones are viable, then I would choose open-back.
Closed-back only if you need the isolation.
But that's subjective.

 

[Keith_W]

@staticV3 covered it pretty well. But I would also add:

- open back usually have better soundstage than closed back. Subjective here, but to me open back also sounds more natural.
- seal and fit is important for both types of headphone, but it is even more important with closed back because you will lose bass if not properly sealed.

IMO, you should always choose open back UNLESS you specifically need closed back, i.e. isolation and to avoid disturbing others. This is why I only buy closed back headphones

 

[daftcombo]

If you're at home and want to be able to hear noises (door ringing, water boiling...) as if you had nothing on your ears, go for open-back.

If you want to listen to music in the train without disturbing the other travellers, go for closed-back.

 

[MrNice13]

If you're at home and want to be able to hear noises (door ringing, water boiling...) as if you had nothing on your ears, go for open-back

Haha even with open back I don't ear the boiling water if I listen some music.
I maybee blast the *** out of my phones but hey .. I enjoy it like that and it's the point of enjoying music.

 

[kolestonin]

I am in the beginning of my investigation for an eventual purchase of my first headphones and being able to decide between open and closed backs will narrow down my options and facilitate things a lot.

From what I’ve read so far, I’m leaning toward open-back headphones because it seems that — in the same price range — they tend to offer better sound quality and a more natural listening experience. I also like the idea of not being completely isolated from my surroundings, as total isolation feels a bit uncomfortable to me.

I plan to use the headphones at work in an open desk environment. My desk neighbor sits about 2 meters away, and the office isn't totally silent as there’s usually some background noise (like meetings or phone calls, especially during peak hours).

Will open-back headphones be a problem in this environment?
Could they disturb my coworker?
Or will the background noise leak in too much and affect my listening, especially at moderate volume levels?

Thanks

 

[olieb]

This is the FR of Audeze LCD2C in open and closed back. (Measured with mics at my ear canal.)

The difference is not so much in bass but in tuning (has not much to do with open or closed).
Distortion is quite similar too. Maybe there are a bit more reflections in the closed version.

There are two different things that are called "open".
1. When there is a path from the back of the diaphragm to the outside [like the Audeze] (and from there through the pads to the ear)
2. When there is a path from the back of the diaphragm to the outside AND to the ear (without going through the pads) [like many Sennheisers]. This somehow similar to an "open baffle". There typically IS some form of foam, felt or perforation in this path though.

I am not aware if there are headphones with a path from the back of the diaphragm to the ear but NOT to the outside.