Best Closed Back Headphones
Updated How we research
beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 Ohm Closed Back Professional Studio Headphones
The beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 Ohm are closed back professional studio headphones that run easily from phones and laptops.
beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones with Stellar.45 Driver
beyerdynamic's DT 700 PRO X are closed-back studio headphones with the Stellar.45 driver, built for recording and monitoring.
Closed-back headphones are the right tool when you are recording. Their sealed design keeps sound from leaking out into your microphone, so you avoid the echoey bleed that can ruin a take. They also block outside noise, letting you focus on your voice or performance even in a busy or untreated room. That isolation makes them a staple for podcasters tracking with a live mic, musicians laying down vocals, and anyone monitoring in the same space as their mic. They tend to emphasize a punchy, direct sound that works well for tracking. In this guide we cover the closed-back headphones that deliver strong isolation and reliable monitoring, keeping your recordings clean from the first take.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.2 to 8.8 out of 10.
- Best overall:beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 Ohm Closed Back Professional Studio Headphones. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.8/10.
- Also great value:AKG Pro Audio K371 Wired Over-Ear Closed-Back Studio Headphones, Black. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones with Stellar.45 Driver. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.8/10.
- Feature-rich:beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X (48 Ohm), Closed-Back Studio Headphones, Black. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 Ohm Closed Back Professional Studio Headphones8.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones with Stellar.45 Driver8.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.AKG Pro Audio K371 Wired Over-Ear Closed-Back Studio Headphones, Black8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X (48 Ohm), Closed-Back Studio Headphones, Black8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Shure SRH440A Over-Ear Wired Studio Headphones8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Sony MDR-7506 Professional Headphones Level 2 1908390795278.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.AKG Pro Audio K371BT Bluetooth Wireless Closed-Back Studio Headphones7.5/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black7.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1The beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 Ohm are closed back professional studio headphones that run easily from phones and laptops.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + 32 Ohm version gets loud from phones, laptops and small recorders
- + Closed back design isolates well for recording and monitoring
- + Comfortable velour pads for long editing and recording sessions
- - Non-detachable cable is a weak point for heavy travel use
- - Treble peak can make sibilant voices sound sharper than they are
#2beyerdynamic's DT 700 PRO X are closed-back studio headphones with the Stellar.45 driver, built for recording and monitoring.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Stellar.45 driver delivers detailed, low-distortion sound
- + Closed-back design isolates well for use near microphones
- + Detachable cable and replaceable parts extend service life
- - Heavier than lightweight broadcast headphones on long days
- - Premium price compared with older, classic beyerdynamic closed-backs
#3AKG Pro Audio's black K371 are wired over-ear closed-back studio headphones, a lightweight folding monitor for editing.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Wired over-ear design gives consistent, latency-free monitoring
- + Balanced studio tuning suits editing dialogue and music
- + Lightweight folding build is great for travel and remote interviews
- - Plastic parts feel less rugged than all-metal studio headphones
- - Earpads may need replacement sooner with daily use
#4The beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X is a 48 ohm closed-back studio headphone with the STELLAR.45 driver and a detachable mini-XLR cable. It is listed as running from a laptop, interface or phone without a headphone amp.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 48 ohm impedance is listed as plugging straight into laptops, interfaces and phones with no amp
- + Detachable 3 m mini-XLR cable and replaceable velour ear pads extend its service life
- + Closed-back isolation is aimed at keeping headphone bleed out of the mic while recording
- - Priced toward the top of this guide, a clear step above entry-level closed-backs
- - The included 3 m cable is long for a desk, and the box holds a bag, not a hard case
#5Shure's SRH440A are over-ear wired studio headphones, an updated closed-back version with improved comfort and a detachable cable.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Updated design improves comfort over the original SRH440
- + Closed-back cups isolate voices from the mic while recording
- + Detachable cable is easy to replace when it wears out
- - Tuning is brighter than some podcasters prefer for long sessions
- - Build is mostly plastic compared with premium alternatives
#6The Sony MDR-7506 is a folding closed-back headphone with 40 mm drivers, neodymium magnets and a 10 Hz to 20 kHz response. It ships with a soft case and a 1/4 inch adapter for interfaces and mixers.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 40 mm drivers with neodymium magnets and a stated 10 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
- + Closed-ear design is described as reducing external noise, useful when monitoring next to a live mic
- + Folds for storage in the included soft case, and a 1/4 inch adapter is supplied
- - The 8 foot cord is not detachable, so a damaged cable means a repair, not a quick swap
- - Soft case only, with no hard case, and the long cord can be bulky at a small desk
#7The AKG Pro Audio K371BT are Bluetooth wireless closed-back studio headphones, adding cable-free listening to the K371 design.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Bluetooth lets you review episodes away from the desk wirelessly
- + Closed-back design gives good isolation for commuting and editing
- + Wired mode is still available for latency-free monitoring
- - Bluetooth latency makes wireless mode unusable for live monitoring
- - Battery adds weight and eventually wears out
#8The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is an entry-level closed-back studio headphone with 40 mm drivers and an around-ear design for isolation. It is the budget pick here, priced well below the mid-range models in this guide.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 40 mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils
- + Circumaural design contours around the ears for sound isolation in loud environments
- + Single-side cable exit keeps the cord out of the way at a desk or mic
- - Tuned for enhanced low frequencies, so it is less neutral than pricier mixing headphones
- - The listing does not mention a detachable cable or a folding design
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Non-detachable cable is a weak point for heavy travel use (beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 Ohm Closed Back...)
- Heavier than lightweight broadcast headphones on long days (beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio...)
- Plastic parts feel less rugged than all-metal studio headphones (AKG Pro Audio K371 Wired Over-Ear Closed-Back...)
- Priced toward the top of this guide, a clear step above entry-level closed-backs (beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X (48 Ohm),...)
- Tuning is brighter than some podcasters prefer for long sessions (Shure SRH440A Over-Ear Wired Studio Headphones)
- The 8 foot cord is not detachable, so a damaged cable means a repair, not a quick swap (Sony MDR-7506 Professional Headphones Level 2...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among closed back headphones?
beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 Ohm Closed Back Professional Studio Headphones is our top overall pick. The beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 Ohm are closed back professional studio headphones that run easily from phones and laptops. It earns our score of 8.8/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones with Stellar.45 Driver is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. beyerdynamic's DT 700 PRO X are closed-back studio headphones with the Stellar.45 driver, built for recording and monitoring.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Podcast Gear Hub independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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