Closed-back headphones are some of the most useful headphones you can own.
Unlike open-back headphones, which allow sound to pass through the earcups, closed-back headphones are designed to keep more sound contained. This makes them particularly useful for recording music, podcasting, working in noisy environments, and listening when you don’t want everyone around you hearing your music.
They’re especially important in a recording studio.
Imagine you’re recording vocals while listening to a backing track. With open-back headphones, some of that music can escape from the headphones and reach your microphone. Closed-back headphones help reduce that leakage.
But there are hundreds of models available, from inexpensive monitoring headphones to professional studio options.
For most people, the beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is my favorite overall closed-back headphone. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is another versatile choice, while the Sony MDR-7506 remains an excellent affordable option for recording and monitoring.
What is the Best Closed-Back Headphones?
Here are some of the best closed-back headphones to consider.
1. beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO – Best Closed-Back Headphones Overall
The beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO has been a studio favorite for decades. It’s an over-ear, closed-back headphone designed specifically for professional monitoring and recording.
One of its biggest advantages is comfort. The DT 770 PRO uses large circumaural earcups and soft replaceable ear pads. That’s important when you’re wearing headphones through a long recording or editing session.
Sound isolation is another strength. The closed construction helps keep outside noise from interfering with your listening while reducing sound leakage during recording.
The DT 770 PRO has a specified frequency response of 5 Hz to 35 kHz and is available in different impedance versions.
The 32-ohm version is easier to pair with mobile equipment. The 80-ohm model is a versatile choice for many studio users.
The 250-ohm version is intended more for professional audio equipment and may benefit from a capable headphone amplifier or audio interface.
The main disadvantage is that you need to choose the right version for your equipment. But for studio recording, monitoring, podcast production, and general critical listening, the DT 770 PRO remains an excellent all-around option.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x – Best Versatile Closed-Back Headphones
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is another extremely popular studio headphone. It’s a closed-back dynamic model with 45 mm drivers.
Audio-Technica includes multiple cables, giving you more flexibility for different setups. This also means a damaged cable doesn’t necessarily mean replacing the entire headphone.
The ATH-M50x has a relatively low impedance, making it easier to drive from laptops, audio interfaces, and many portable devices than high-impedance studio headphones.
The sound isn’t perfectly neutral, so I’d still recommend checking important mixes on other playback systems.
But if you want one pair of closed-back headphones capable of handling studio work and everyday listening, the ATH-M50x is an easy recommendation.
3. Sony MDR-7506 – Best Budget Closed-Back Headphones
The Sony MDR-7506 has been around for a long time, and that’s part of its appeal.
It’s a straightforward professional monitoring headphone that has been used in studios, broadcasting, location recording, and video production for years.
The closed-ear design helps provide useful isolation. That’s particularly valuable during recording. The MDR-7506 is also relatively lightweight and folds for transportation.
This makes it a great option for creators who regularly move between studios, video shoots, podcast locations, and home setups. Its detailed sound can also help expose problems in recordings.
When you’re editing dialogue, for example, you want to notice hiss, mouth noises, distortion, and other unwanted sounds. The MDR-7506 is good at making those details obvious.
For someone who wants professional-style monitoring without spending a lot of money, it’s difficult to overlook.
4. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro – Best for Sound Isolation
Recording sometimes requires more isolation than everyday listening. That’s where the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro makes sense.
It’s a closed-back circumaural monitoring headphone designed around professional applications.
A strong seal around your ears helps reduce the amount of outside noise you hear and limits the amount of headphone audio reaching your microphone.
This is particularly useful when recording vocals. A singer may need the backing track relatively loud to perform comfortably.
If the headphones leak too much, the vocal microphone can capture the music. Better isolation helps reduce this problem. The HD 280 Pro also folds, which makes storage and transportation easier.
One thing to consider is clamping force. Headphones designed for strong isolation can feel tighter than relaxed consumer headphones.
If you regularly wear headphones for many hours, comfort should be part of your buying decision.
5. beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X – Best Premium Closed-Back Studio Headphones
If you like the idea of the DT 770 PRO but want something more modern, consider the beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X. It’s another closed-back studio headphone designed for professional monitoring. The PRO X line was created with modern studio workflows in mind.
One important advantage is easier compatibility with different devices. You don’t necessarily want headphones that require a powerful dedicated amplifier every time you move away from your main studio.
The DT 700 PRO X is designed to work across a broader range of playback equipment while maintaining a professional monitoring focus.
Build quality is another attraction. For someone who uses headphones every day, replaceable parts and solid construction can be more valuable than flashy features.
These aren’t inexpensive headphones. But for a serious home studio or professional creator who wants a closed-back monitoring headphone built for long-term use, they’re worth considering.
6. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x – Best Value Closed-Back Headphones
You don’t necessarily need to buy the ATH-M50x. The cheaper ATH-M40x can be an excellent value. It’s a closed-back dynamic headphone with 40 mm drivers.
Like its more expensive sibling, the ATH-M40x folds and uses detachable cables. That’s a particularly useful feature at this price.
The ATH-M40x is suitable for recording, monitoring, editing, and music production.
If your budget is limited, I’d rather buy a solid pair of headphones such as these and spend the remaining money improving your microphone or room than put your entire budget into headphones.
7. Shure SRH440A – Best Closed-Back Headphones for Home Studios
Shure is best known for microphones, but the company also makes studio headphones. The SRH440A is designed for monitoring and recording.
Its closed-back circumaural design makes it appropriate for situations where sound isolation matters.
This includes recording vocals, podcasting, voiceovers, and general studio monitoring.
The SRH440A is especially worth considering if you want something focused more on production work than lifestyle features.
There is no need for Bluetooth, active noise cancellation, touch controls, or an app when your headphones spend most of their life connected to an audio interface.
Final Thoughts
For most studio users, the beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is my best overall closed-back headphone. It’s also designed with replaceable ear pads and a padded adjustable headband, making it a practical option for long recording sessions.
For a versatile alternative, choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. For an affordable professional monitoring option, consider the Sony MDR-7506.
For strong isolation during recording, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is worth considering. And for someone who wants a more modern premium studio option, look at the beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X.