Closed-back headphones keep sound from leaking into your mic while you record, and they are the most affordable way to check a mix in an untreated room. Every figure below comes from the maker's spec page; the score shows how they compare on paper.
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Why it wins: Portable mixing with big drivers and a foldable design. 50 mm drivers, the largest here. Light at 255 g and foldable.
Also great: beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (80 Ω) (7.8) · Sennheiser HD 280 PRO (6.8)
Swipe sideways on mobile. Green marks the best figure in each column.
| Product | Score | Low-frequency limit | Weight (no cable) | Impedance | High-frequency limit | Best for | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 A AKG K371 | 9.2/10 | 5 Hz | 255 g | 32 Ω | 40 kHz | Portable mixing with big drivers and a foldable design | Check price | View deal |
| 2 B beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (80 Ω) | 7.8/10 | 5 Hz | 270 g | 80 Ω | 35 kHz | Long sessions where comfort and deep bass matter | Check price | View deal |
| 3 S Sennheiser HD 280 PRO | 6.8/10 | 8 Hz | 285 g | 64 Ω | 25 kHz | Drummers and loud rooms that need isolation | Check price | View deal |
| 4 A Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | 6.7/10 | 15 Hz | 285 g | 38 Ω | 28 kHz | An all-rounder for recording, mixing and everyday listening | Check price | View deal |
| 5 S Sony MDR-7506 | 6.7/10 | 10 Hz | 260 g | 24 Ω | 20 kHz | Tracking vocals and editing on a budget | Check price | View deal |
| 6 A Audio-Technica ATH-M40x | 6.6/10 | 15 Hz | 240 g | 35 Ω | 24 kHz | A lighter, simpler sibling of the M50x | Check price | View deal |
"Not listed" means the manufacturer page we used does not publish that figure. Prices show "Check price" until a retailer feed provides a current price.
| Low-frequency limit | 5 Hz |
|---|---|
| High-frequency limit | 40 kHz |
| Weight (no cable) | 255 g |
| Impedance | 32 Ω |
| Driver size | 50 mm |
| Type | Closed-back, over-ear, foldable |
| Cables | Detachable Mini-XLR: 1.2 m and 3 m straight, 3 m coiled |
| Price | Check price |
* Not published by the manufacturer; scored at the category median so missing data neither helps nor hurts.
| Low-frequency limit | 5 Hz |
|---|---|
| High-frequency limit | 35 kHz |
| Weight (no cable) | 270 g |
| Impedance | 80 Ω |
| Driver size | Not listed |
| Type | Closed, circumaural, dynamic |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL |
| Weight with cable | 375 g (3 m straight cable) |
| Price | Check price |
* Not published by the manufacturer; scored at the category median so missing data neither helps nor hurts.
| Low-frequency limit | 8 Hz |
|---|---|
| High-frequency limit | 25 kHz |
| Weight (no cable) | 285 g |
| Impedance | 64 Ω |
| Driver size | Not listed |
| Type | Closed, circumaural, dynamic |
| Isolation | Up to 32 dB ambient-noise attenuation |
| Plug | 3.5 mm with 6.3 mm adapter |
| Price | Check price |
| Low-frequency limit | 15 Hz |
|---|---|
| High-frequency limit | 28 kHz |
| Weight (no cable) | 285 g |
| Impedance | 38 Ω |
| Driver size | 45 mm |
| Type | Closed-back, dynamic |
| Cables | Three detachable: coiled, 3 m straight, 1.2 m straight |
| Price | Check price |
| Low-frequency limit | 10 Hz |
|---|---|
| High-frequency limit | 20 kHz |
| Weight (no cable) | 260 g |
| Impedance | 24 Ω |
| Driver size | 40 mm |
| Type | Closed, over-ear, dynamic |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW |
| Power handling | 1,000 mW |
| Price | Check price |
| Low-frequency limit | 15 Hz |
|---|---|
| High-frequency limit | 24 kHz |
| Weight (no cable) | 240 g |
| Impedance | 35 Ω |
| Driver size | 40 mm |
| Type | Closed-back, dynamic |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB |
| Price | Check price |
Closed-back headphones (everything on this page) block sound in both directions, so they are the right choice for recording with a microphone. Open-back headphones sound more spacious but leak into the mic.
Impedance tells you how much power headphones need. Under about 40 Ω, anything will drive them loudly, including a phone. 80 Ω and up benefit from a decent interface headphone amp.
You may wear these for hours. Weight, clamping force and pad material matter as much as frequency response, which is why weight carries a quarter of the score.
Score = weighted average of normalised specs, out of 10. Full method
Yes, many people do, especially in untreated rooms. Check your mix on speakers, earbuds and a car stereo too before releasing it.
Only loosely. Manufacturers measure with different tolerances, so a 5 Hz vs 15 Hz difference on paper is not a guarantee of audibly deeper bass.
Not for most pairs here. The 80 Ω DT 770 PRO is the one that benefits most from a stronger headphone output.