Music helps to relieve the stress around you. Music is restorative, and it feels magical when you are happy. A good pair of headphones makes all the difference while listening to music. If the headphone is great, you are bound to feel completely relaxed.
There are so many types of headphones available today; in-ear vs on-ear vs over-ear headphones. Then there are the different features that they offer, making you choose between wired or wireless headphones, active or passive noise-cancelling headphones, among others.
The other option is to choose from the open back and closed-back headphones. When it comes to open-back vs closed-back headphones, you need to consider your surroundings. Closed-back headphones are ideal for travelling and desktop. Open-back headphones are great for mixing music.
If you are still confused between the two, then read this guide that explains the difference between open and closed-back headphones. Let’s compare!
Contents
A] Open Back Headphones
1. What Are Open-back Headphones?
Open-back headphones allow the air to pass through the air cups right up to the element speaker. It does not allow the pressure to build up and affect your normal sound. Open-back headphones sound clear and natural.
In short, the headphones are designed to make your music sound more realistic. It lets in some noise from outside your headphone and lets out some noise from inside your headphone, giving you a perfectly immersive experience.
The sound of open-back headphones is more like listening to speakers. The difference between open and closed-back headphones lies in the sound, as open-back headphones do not isolate you from the external world.
Open-back headphones can’t block the noises that radiate from outside. It lets you hear everything that goes around you. Open-back headphones are just like the name; if you are listening to your favourite music, then chances are that the person sitting next to you might hear the sound as well. It kind of gives a transparent feel when you listen to music.
2. Advantages Of Open-back Headphones
- Weight
Open-back headphones weigh less in comparison to closed-back headphones. There is lesser material used in the omission of outer cups, which makes it light. It is comfortable for your long music sessions unless there is a build-up of heat. But, that is again not something that should bother.
- No Sweat
With over-ear headphones, there is always a problem with sweat. This isn’t the case with open back. As the drivers are free to breathe, there is no build-up of heat. It lets you enjoy long music playback and that just makes listening more comfortable.
- Sound Quality is Amazing
As the ear-cups are open, there is no added pressure on the cups. The pressure can’t build up and affect the sound quality. Also, there are no little echoes inside the headphones. The sound is natural and it gives you an unparallel music experience. As open drivers are placed near the speakers, there is no problem of leakage as well. Open-back headphones do not compromise on sound and it scores a brownie here.
- Advanced Driver Options
Most headphone companies have been making open headphones in planar and electrostatic formats for years now. So, the technology is known and developed if you consider driver capability in closed back vs open-back headphones. It’ll take time for closed-back technology to adopt such a format. Open-back headphones offer great driver functionality so its performance is amazing.
- Exceptional Experience:
The sound from these headphones is crisp making you feel the music. That is the reason most musicians or dubbing artists prefer open-back headphones for its excellent audio support. It is ideal for high-quality audio files. You’ll have an experience that’ll leave you stumped for sure. But, it also depends on the brand and quality you choose. High-end open-back headphones will provide you with exceptional music quality for sure.
- Soundstage Feature
The Soundstage feature in open-back headphones will make your music sound bigger. The music emanates from all the sides making it wider and deep. Soundstage determines the environment and sound of music. Soundstage provides you with a 3D high-quality sound image. When used in the headphone, it guarantees you a simply remarkable experience.
Open back models offer true Soundstage experience that is fun. So, if you have been using the closed-back headphone or in-ear headphones’ all the while, then this experience will be different. It gives you the sound of a quality music system, more like a speaker. If you want to experience the magic of Soundstage feature, then open-back headphone is the apt choice for you.
B] Closed-Back Headphones
1. What Are Closed-back Headphones?
Closed-back headphones are sealed around the back, unlike open-back headphones which are open. Closed-back headphones let you keep the outside noise out, and inside noise in more like the noise-cancelling feature. There may be an experience of undetectable echoes in bass notes, but that does not affect the sound.
Most people prefer closed-back headphones for travelling. With its concealed and enclosed design, you can hear your music on-the-go. It is also the most preferred choice for frequent fliers.
For sound recording purposes, closed-back headphones will let you hear your voice in the studio without the mic picking up more noise. Closed-back headphones are more for casual listening or long music playback. It is great for your desktop needs and commuting needs. It also serves the purpose of mixing audio, but that depends on the kind of music you need to mix.
2. Advantages of Closed-back Headphones
- Noise Isolation Feature
Noise isolation feature is the best part of closed-back headphones. It’s the clear difference between open and closed-back headphones. The feature gives you the ability to isolate from unwanted external noises so that you have immersive music experience. The closed ear cups, seal the user’s ears, thus reducing the sound that seeps in from the outer world. This makes the headphone more suitable for noisy environments and public places.
While you commute, there is so much noise around you that closed-back headphones, with its noise isolation feature, give you the much-required sound seal which helps preserve your music experience.
- Amazing Portability
With the advantage of noise cancellation/isolation, most brands design closed-back headphones for regular use. When you buy a headphone, you consider many factors. Portability is the basic one.
Closed-back headphones are portable and can be carried along with you in a small case or bag. Some headphones’ are also available in foldable options, giving you complete flexibility. You can choose rugged design elements in closed-back headphones, as that’ll also be comfortable to carry along.
- Bass Support
Though the sound quality of open-back headphones is good, closed-back wins easily in bass support. By trapping the air in the confined space, the headphone can create a better impact. For most people, bass support is important and is also a major selling point for companies.
A deeper impact of bass means a great sounding headphone. As bass lies in the base of listening capability or the low end of the normal audio frequency range, the headphone picks up the right sound. If you enjoy listening to a wide range of music, then you’ll enjoy the bass support that is offered by most closed-back headphones.
- No Sound Disturbance
Apart from having the noise isolation feature, closed-back headphones offer you a closed-back feel. As it helps to block the external noise from coming in, it prevents music from leaking out. The closed-back headphone is ideal for when you need to listen to music without any disturbance around you. The headphones can be carried along while travelling in your car or plane.
You can put it on in a library or any public place to enjoy your music with privacy. Even if you hear your music loudly, no one would be able to hear your song. In open back vs closed-back models, closed-back scores high in privacy feature.
#Briefly – Difference between Open back and Closed-back Headphones
Now that you know the difference between open and closed-back headphones, it’s time to figure out your use. What is the purpose of your headphone use? Where are you going to use your open-back headphones? Are you considering closed-back headphones for only travelling? The questions are many, so you need to look into the various factors.
Open back headphone is not for your regular use. It is best suited for your studio needs, critical listening, or HD audio files. Open back headphone is not a very reliable option for aeroplane or car. However, the sound quality of open-back headphones is excellent.
As for closed-back headphones, it is great for your travelling needs. Perfect if you want to listen to music for a longer duration. The noise isolation feature will give you the privacy that you need in public places. The closed-back headphone is good for casual or regular use. The sound quality of the headphone is amazing.
Different users have different preferences as far as music is concerned. At the end of the day, you should pick a headphone that best suits your requirements. Music should be experienced in its finest capability, so make sure that you invest in the best option.
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