Closed again vs open again headphones: Which to decide on?

Ever questioned how closed-back and open-back headphones differ? Is one or the opposite higher in your makes use of in your laptop setup and elsewhere? What the heck is “impedance?” I not too long ago experimented with each open- and closed-back cans in my evolving setup. I’ve laid out all of the concerns and key variations for you under. And yow will discover my gear within the hyperlinks record on the backside of this text.

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Must you use closed-back or open-back headphones?

Light-weight with stable sound

Beats Studio Professional noise-canceling headphones

Beats’ flagship over-ear headphones function personalised Spatial Audio, USB-C lossless audio and as much as 40 hours of battery life.

Execs:

• Lossless wired audio functionality
• Apple and Android compatibility
• Accessible in a number of colours

Cons:

• Lacks ear-detection sensors
• No Apple H1 or H2 chip

My M4 Professional MacBook setup has seen many modifications over the previous few years. That features the current addition of an audio interface and condenser microphone, on prime of the beforehand added Edifier studio-monitor audio system. I additionally discovered a great deal on a flippantly used pair of open-back headphones I wished to attempt, Sennheiser HD660S2. So I added them to my headphones secure, which additionally contains Beats Studio Professional (closed again).

I’d dragged my ft on establishing the audio interface and mic. However I actually wished to see if the audio interface would operate nicely as a headphone amp. You solely actually need one for high-impedance headphones, as a result of most small units don’t carry sufficient voltage to headphone jacks to make them sound their greatest. My new-to-me Sennies charge at 300 Ohms (Ω) impedance, whereas my Beats Studio Professional cans go along with simply 38Ω.

So I bought myself an reasonably priced Fosi Audio DS2 headphone amp dongle to run between the Sennheisers and my iPhone and iPad Air, which labored nice for some time. Then I needed to change it with when the connection bought iffy, so I made a decision to attempt a Hiby FC4. Extra on impedance under.

Fundamentals: Closed-back vs open-back headphones

On the core of headphone design lies the excellence between closed again and open again fashions. The elemental distinction impacts not solely the sound high quality but additionally the way you’ll use your headphones in varied environments.

Selecting between closed again vs open again headphones in the end comes all the way down to your listening preferences, atmosphere and meant use. Think about components like sound-isolation wants, desired soundstage and whether or not you’ll be utilizing them in public or non-public settings. Don’t overlook to consider impedance and potential amplification wants, particularly if you happen to’re taking a look at high-end or professional-grade headphones. For many individuals, funds-allowing, proudly owning a minimum of one among every is the most effective course. However for most individuals, a stable closed-back selection is simply superb.

Closed-back headphones: Isolation and immersion

Closed-back headphones function sealed ear cups that enclose your ears utterly. This design provides a number of benefits:

1. Isolation from exterior noise / passive noise cancellation. The sealed design blocks out ambient sounds, making these headphones very best for noisy environments or if you don’t need to disturb others.
2. Enhanced bass response. The closed chamber creates a extra pronounced bass impact, which many listeners discover pleasing for sure music genres.
3. Minimal sound leakage. Your audio stays non-public, making these headphones appropriate to be used in public areas or shared places of work.
4. Immersive listening expertise. The isolation can create a extra targeted and immersive soundstage, significantly for genres that profit from a “in-your-head” sound.

Nonetheless, closed again designs even have some drawbacks:

1. Potential for ear fatigue. The sealed atmosphere can result in warmth build-up and stress, which can trigger discomfort throughout prolonged listening periods.
2. Much less pure soundstage. The closed design could make the audio really feel extra confined, which some audiophiles discover much less interesting for sure kinds of music.

Open-back headphones: Pure sound and luxury

Open-back headphones, because the title suggests, have perforated ear cups that enable air and sound to movement by. This design philosophy results in a number of cool traits:

1. Pure and spacious sound. The open design creates a wider, extra pure soundstage that many listeners describe as “ethereal” or “room-like.” Imaging, or the power to put devices within the stereo discipline you’re listening to, is usually higher with open-back designs. That may improve the listening expertise for complicated musical preparations.
2. Decreased ear fatigue. The airflow helps stop warmth build-up, making these headphones extra snug for lengthy listening periods.
3. Lighter weight. Open-back designs usually use much less materials, leading to a lighter total headphone.
4. Enhanced consciousness of environment. You may nonetheless hear ambient sounds, which generally is a security function in some conditions.

Open again headphones trade-offs embrace:

1. Sound leakage. Others round you may hear what you’re listening to, making these much less appropriate for public use or shared areas.
2. Much less isolation from exterior noise. Ambient sounds can intervene along with your listening expertise in noisy environments.
3. Doubtlessly weaker bass response. The open design might end in much less impactful bass in comparison with closed-back fashions.

Decoding headphone impedance: Low vs. excessive

Fosi Audio DS2 headphone amplifier

This moveable USB-C to AUX headphone amp and DAC dongle comes with a 3.5mm and 4.4 balanced hi-res twin outputs.

Execs:

• Compact and moveable
• Hello-res audio-capable
• Nice for reinforcing high-impedance headphones
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Your mileage might differ relying in your headphones and music units

Understanding headphone impedance is essential for choosing the appropriate audio setup in your wants. Impedance — once more, measured in Ohms (Ω), named after a German physicist — represents the headphones’ resistance to electrical present.

Low-impedance headphones (beneath 100Ω)

Low impedance headphones are designed to be used with moveable units and shopper electronics. They provide a number of advantages. They’re simple to drive with minimal energy, which makes them very best to be used with laptops, tablets and smartphones. Their excessive sensitivity work nicely at decrease voltage, like with battery-powered units. So such headphones work throughout a variety of shopper units. In style low impedance headphones embrace many consumer-grade fashions from manufacturers like Sony, Bose and Beats, like my Beats Studio Professional or the Scarlett SH450 pair that got here with my audio interface bundle (32Ω) .

Excessive-impedance headphones (over 100Ω)

Excessive impedance headphones are sometimes designed for skilled use or audiophile listening. They’ve distinct traits, like extra element within the sound and good compatibility with skilled tools. However to achieve their full potential, these headphones usually want a separate headphone amplifier. Examples of excessive impedance headphones embrace Beyerdynamic DT 990 Professional (250Ω) and my Sennheiser HD660S2 (300Ω).

Position of headphone amplifiers 

A high quality headphone amplifier can considerably improve the audio efficiency of your headphones, particularly for high-impedance fashions. Right here’s why amplifiers matter:

1. Energy supply. Amplifiers present the mandatory energy to drive excessive impedance headphones to their full potential, making certain optimum quantity and sound high quality.
2. Improved dynamic vary. A superb amplifier might help reproduce refined particulars in music that may be misplaced when utilizing underpowered sources.
3. Higher management. Amplifiers supply extra exact quantity management and might help cut back distortion at larger listening ranges.
4. Impedance matching. Correct amplification ensures the correct amount of energy is delivered to your headphones, optimizing their efficiency.

When selecting an amplifier, take into account components like:

• Output energy: Guarantee it could present sufficient energy in your headphones’ impedance.
• Enter/output choices: Search for compatibility along with your audio sources and headphones.
• Sound signature: Some amplifiers colour the sound, whereas others purpose for neutrality. Select primarily based in your desire.

Supercharge your cans!

HiBy FC4 Headphone Amplifier and Transportable DAC

This headphone amplifier and moveable DAC sports activities 4.4mm and three.5mm headphones outputs and helps MQA16X, PCM768K and DSD256. Appropriate for Android/iOS/Mac/Home windows units.

Execs:

• Drive extra energy to your low-impedence headphones
• Compact and moveable

Cons:

• Greatest for smaller headphones and earbuds

Typical headphone impedance ranges

Typical headphone impedance ranges from 16Ω for shopper fashions to 600 – 1000Ω for skilled studio headphones. Right here’s a basic breakdown:

• 16-32Ω: Most shopper headphones, earbuds and gaming headsets
• 32-100Ω: Many mid-range and a few high-end shopper headphones
• 100-300Ω: Skilled studio headphones and a few high-end shopper fashions
• 300-600Ω and up: Specialised high-end headphones for audiophiles {and professional} use

Keep in mind, larger impedance doesn’t all the time imply higher sound high quality. It’s about matching the headphones to the appropriate audio supply and amplification.

Matching headphone impedance to headphone amplifiers

Matching your headphone amplifier impedance to your headphones ensures optimum energy switch and sound high quality. Listed below are some pointers:

1. Output impedance. An amplifier’s output impedance ought to usually be 1/eighth or much less of the headphone’s impedance for optimum damping issue. That’s proper: Don’t match amplifier and headphones impedance. The amp generally is a lot decrease.
2. Energy output. Make sure the amplifier can present sufficient energy in your headphones. Excessive impedance headphones sometimes require extra voltage, whereas low impedance ones want extra present. Some units make up the distinction themselves, just like the headphone jack of current MacBook Professional fashions like my M4 Professional. They sense headphone impedance and regulate voltage to the headphone jack.
3. Impedance vary. Search for amplifiers that specify a large impedance vary to accommodate varied headphones you would possibly use.
4. Acquire settings. Some amplifiers supply adjustable achieve, which could be helpful for matching with totally different headphone sensitivities and impedances.

By contemplating these components, you may create an audio setup that brings out the most effective in your headphones, whether or not they’re open again or closed again, low impedance or excessive.

Purchase the gear mentioned on this information on Amazon:

Sensible sound

Sennheiser Shopper Audio HD660S2 Open-back Headphones

These wired audiophile stereo headphones supply deep sub bass, optimized encompass sound, transducer airflow, vented magnet system and voice coil.

Execs:

• Nice sound
• Extensive sound stage
• Comfy match

Cons:

• Considerably costly
• Proprietary Sennheiser connectors (different cables will not work)

We revealed this submit on March 10, 2025, after which republished it with updates on February 27, 2026. 

David Snow, an skilled on Apple {hardware} and software program, writes on a wide range of technological and cultural matters for Cult of Mac. They embrace Apple information, know-how shopping for guides, and options about laptop setups and Apple TV reveals and films.

With 30 years of expertise overlaying know-how and different topics, he has written and edited for quite a few print and on-line publications, together with CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired Information, Pink Herring journal, Legislation.com, The Nationwide Legislation Journal and Legislation Expertise Information journal. Amongst different roles, he served as government editor of the Legislation.com community of internet sites and editorial director, know-how, for ALM Media.

Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse College with majors in journal journalism and psychology. Whereas there, he labored as a reporter for The Each day Orange newspaper and affiliate editor of Equal Time journal.

Founding father of the weblog On the Waterline, he could be reached on X (previously Twitter) through @atthewaterline and on Mastodon through @dsnow.