You want your headphones to do everything. Gaming, music, podcasting —
the works. In a perfect world that would be possible. But since when do
we live in a perfect world? When it comes down to headphones, there's
some choices you need to make when searching for a new set of cans. But
not to worry, dear reader — it's not that complicated. Today we're going
dust off the dictionary and drop a bit of terminology on you, just the
sort of thing you need for your next headphone purchase.
Open headphones, on the other hand, do not cover the entire ear, and allow for background noise to seep in. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. That extra air flow is said to reduce the resonance present in closed-model headphones, resulting in a more natural listening experience, and increased audio fidelity. Also, according to Plantronics, a popular headset manufacturer, many find the added airflow to be more comfortable than the "box-like" experience of closed models.
Such leaked sound can also affect audio levels as well. Because closed models keep all the sound trapped within, audio is often perceived as louder. As long as distortion isn't an issue, this can heighten the immersive experience that closed headphone fans favor so dearly.
What it comes down to is a matter of quality and environment. If you're looking for the best sounding headphones with the ultimate in quality, an open model design will probably do you best. However, if you're concerned about sound leakage or other distractions, closed may be the better choice. The only way you can truly decide is to try them out yourself, and see which you prefer. With all this in mind, may your next purchase be an informed one!
Open or closed back
Circumaural and supra-aural headphones can both also be further differentiated by the type of earcups:
Open-back headphones have the back of the earcups open. This leaks more sound out of the headphone and also lets more ambient sounds into the headphone, but gives a more natural or speaker-like sound and more spacious "soundscape" - the perception of distance from the source.
Closed-back (or sealed) styles have the back of the earcups closed. Depending on the model they may block 8-32db of ambient noise, but have a smaller soundscape, giving the wearer a perception that the sound is coming from within their head.,[9] one reason for this is that there are sounds reflected back towards the ear.
Open headphones, on the other hand, do not cover the entire ear, and allow for background noise to seep in. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. That extra air flow is said to reduce the resonance present in closed-model headphones, resulting in a more natural listening experience, and increased audio fidelity. Also, according to Plantronics, a popular headset manufacturer, many find the added airflow to be more comfortable than the "box-like" experience of closed models.
Such leaked sound can also affect audio levels as well. Because closed models keep all the sound trapped within, audio is often perceived as louder. As long as distortion isn't an issue, this can heighten the immersive experience that closed headphone fans favor so dearly.
What it comes down to is a matter of quality and environment. If you're looking for the best sounding headphones with the ultimate in quality, an open model design will probably do you best. However, if you're concerned about sound leakage or other distractions, closed may be the better choice. The only way you can truly decide is to try them out yourself, and see which you prefer. With all this in mind, may your next purchase be an informed one!
Open or closed back
Circumaural and supra-aural headphones can both also be further differentiated by the type of earcups:
Open-back headphones have the back of the earcups open. This leaks more sound out of the headphone and also lets more ambient sounds into the headphone, but gives a more natural or speaker-like sound and more spacious "soundscape" - the perception of distance from the source.
Closed-back (or sealed) styles have the back of the earcups closed. Depending on the model they may block 8-32db of ambient noise, but have a smaller soundscape, giving the wearer a perception that the sound is coming from within their head.,[9] one reason for this is that there are sounds reflected back towards the ear.
