Open or closed headphones - which is better

Everyone prefers to listen to your favorite tunes in different ways. Some want to completely ignore extraneous noises, for example, cars, shouts, conversations, extraneous sounds. And for others, on the contrary, the ability to hear what is happening around, to talk with friends is of great importance. To provide different properties of acoustics, there are various types of accessories for listening to music. So, manufacturers produce open and closed headphones, the difference between which is just sound type. With the features of each type should be figured out in order to understand which headphones to choose a particular person.

Open models

Openness is understood to mean a little isolation while listening, and from both sides. The melody that is played will be partially audible to others, but at the same time the user will be able to hear the sounds of what is happening around.

In this case, if the devices are full-sized, then the cups are loosely adjacent to the user's head.

It is also worth remembering that there is no definite connection between the design and the type: open or closed. Any option can be of a different type. By design are:

• intra-channel options;
• inserts;
• full-size options;
• monitor varieties;
• overhead headphones.

Open headphones are characterized by the absence of resonating componentsable to protect against sound penetration. Most often in the accessories of this type the outer side part is realized in the form of a grid or has a huge number of holes. The design and provides free penetration of sounds. Open devices are best suited for drying works at high and medium frequencies. Due to the design features, sound filtering from microscopic noise peculiar to limited spaces is provided. These models look great for lovers of classic works.

Open headphones Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO

Features of closed accessories

Accordingly, closed accessories are characterized by a higher isolation, and, for the listener and others. Such devices have their own unique features:

• closed models are most often equipped with ear cushions, which ensures a snug fit to the head;
• in full-size or monitor models, there is a complete fit of the ear;
• the side faces of the cups do not have holes so that the sound does not extend beyond the accessory.

These headphones are most attractive to people who prefer to listen to music at low frequencies, for example, rock or metal. The basses that are present in such melodies are the most tangible.

Speaking about closed models, it is worth clarifying that the quality of sound insulation is provided not only due to the design features of the type, this parameter largely depends on body material. For example, the sound of wooden or leather headphones will be better than metal.

When buying closed devices, it should be remembered that their prolonged use can get tired and have a headache, since they create quite high pressure.The time to listen to such devices should be limited, since the pressure of the sound stream is quite strong and strains the organs of hearing.

Professional closed headphones Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

What are the significant differences

The difference between open and closed headphones is represented by the following key points.

1. The main difference is that in open models there are no components that will provide isolation from noise, and the latter, on the contrary, reliably protect against the penetration of any sounds in both directions.
2. Devices with no sound insulation will be the best option for classic-style melodies, which use high and / or mid frequencies, and soundproofed versions are better for lovers of tracks using low frequencies - rock, metal.
3. Open devices are good for home, on vacation - in places where the use of such an accessory, as well as listening to loud music does not hurt others. But closed headphones will be an ideal solution for public transport, office, city streets.

When choosing an accessory, it is worth remembering that high-quality sound insulation can only provide high tech headphones. Budget options will give proper playback quality only in rooms with low or medium noise levels.

To understand for yourself what type of selected accessories are, you should pay attention to two key points.

1. Appearance. In closed headphones, the external case is almost always one-piece, but the open type of accessory has a grid or various openings on the case.
2. Device weight. Accessories without protection are much lighter, very often they have a lighter shackle.

Lightweight open headphone design

Reasonable compromise - half open type

You can go the other way, look for models with qualities of both types. They are called half-open or half-closed devices. By design, they are still closer to the open type, since they are characterized by a one-piece body - there will be holes or a grill on it, which does not provide complete sound insulation.

Half-open options are most often used by professionals who need to listen to for a long time. They provide fairly good sound insulation, while the ears are not so much tired of their presence.