Closed back headphones on a budget!

SAM81

SAM81

SAM81

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Looking for a recommendation on some closed back headphones.

Currently use a pair of sound magic ear buds and although they sound great, they do get a little uncomfortable after a while. As such, I've started to look for some headphones.

Initially the sennheiser momentum on ears looked perfect. Look great, sounded great and within budget (150 quid max) but then I got concerned that the open back would let ambient noise in and frustrate others around me with any noise bleeding out. Would this be a genuine concern? They would only be used for office and living room use... No commuting.

So now starting to think about closed back options...

The closed back momentum are ideal but out of budget. What other options would people recommend? Ideally want some that are not massive and look relatively stylish.
 
No idea how well the Momentum's isolate. Was going to suggest Beyerdynamic DT770, but you've mentioned 'not massive', and they are pretty large.

Sennheiser HD25 isolate very well; one of the best. Small on ear but they do clamp. Some people find them very comfortable (a friend of mine is one), but for me the clamp is too much after a short time. Great headphones if the clamp isn't an issue.
 
Ah yes, audio equipment that needs to be stylish. Surely the audio quality and the comfort should come first? I use AKG K550/551's for everyday listening, they are pretty massive though, but I can literally wear them all day without feeling uncomfortable. Whether you think they are stylish or not is up to you, personally I couldn't give two hoots what other people think about my appearance, be it headphones or clothes. :)
 
Journey said:
Ah yes, audio equipment that needs to be stylish. Surely the audio quality and the comfort should come first? I use AKG K550/551's for everyday listening, they are pretty massive though, but I can literally wear them all day without feeling uncomfortable. Whether you think they are stylish or not is up to you, personally I couldn't give two hoots what other people think about my appearance, be it headphones or clothes. :)
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Appreciate your point but I'd take it as inferred as they should sound great and be comfortable. I just don't want something that is huge and looks ridiculous stuck to the side of my head but I appreciate I all of these qualities are somewhat subjective.

The Akg k550 get some great reviews, I'll try and find a pair stocked locally to try on.

I have also managed to find some Momentum over the ear for 200. It's over the budget but they seem to tick all the boxes so I may consider them if nothing else fits.
 
Beyer DT770s.

I know you said not large but I don't think they're that big tbh. They certainly don't "stick out" from the sides as much as some others. They isolate very well.
 
Marsman said:
Sennheiser HD25 isolate very well; one of the best. Small on ear but they do clamp. Some people find them very comfortable (a friend of mine is one), but for me the clamp is too much after a short time. Great headphones if the clamp isn't an issue.
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yup HD25 are pretty good isolation. sound quality is nice too, very accurate.

personally i find them comfortable over a couple of hours but obviously this is personal preference.
 
Vertigo1 said:
Beyer DT770s.

I know you said not large but I don't think they're that big tbh. They certainly don't "stick out" from the sides as much as some others. They isolate very well.
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neil_g said:
yup HD25 are pretty good isolation. sound quality is nice too, very accurate.

personally i find them comfortable over a couple of hours but obviously this is personal preference.
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Excellent thanks... Will check them out
 
HD25's are also used a lot by BBC sports reporters. Both great headphones, so can't go wrong with either; although I'd personally pick the Beyer's for the comfort. :D
 
I've been using B&W P3's for the last 5 or so years. Really nice and compact design plus usual punchy and bright B&W sound.

Looks like you can pick up the original P3s for a hundred quid now which is a steal, P5s are also in your budget.
 
mid_gen said:
I've been using B&W P3's for the last 5 or so years. Really nice and compact design plus usual punchy and bright B&W sound.

Looks like you can pick up the original P3s for a hundred quid now which is a steal, P5s are also in your budget.
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Great thanks. Are they open or closed back?

Also, how do you find the noise isolation?
 
They're closed back. They're on-ear rather than over-ear so not amazing isolation....but I've never had any problems with it even at low listening levels. I use them in a fairly quiet office and no-one's ever complained either.

Main thing is the build quality is excellent, nice soft-touch plastic and metal materials. They look discreet and are nice and compact. They have a case but I usually just fold them up and stuff them in a pocket or bag. 5 years of long-haul flights and daily trips to the office in a pocket and they still look good as new.

I keep thinking about an upgrade to the P5s but these just won't break on me :(
 
Finally bit the bullet and ordered some Momentum Over Ears. Got them from the outlet store with an added discount code taking another 15% off... all in came to £145. At that price I couldn't refuse.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
DT770 - nothing else compares when on a budget especially for closed.

Sennheiser closed headphones IMO aren't worth it. they are just slightly above average.
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I have to disagree. I found the K550's better in every way than the DT770's.

Another one to consider is the Sony MDR 1A. Pick them up cheap in the warehouse.
 
They arrived on Friday. Only used them for a couple of hours but I have to say, they sound fantastic.

I don't have a lot to reference them against I guess. I've never had over the ear head phones before and prior to these was using a pair of sound magic e10s. But I'm definitely noticing a significant difference, to the point where I'm hearing parts of the song I've never heard before.

It's a slippery slope though...

Perhaps a question for another thread but I primarily listen to music through my phone. I'm aware the DAC in this is probably not the best. What would a portable DAC offer me? Would it dramatically increase the quality of the sound or simply volume?
 
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