sealed or open-air headphones

[exitnow]

i was looking at Sennheiser HD-590 and a Sennheiser 280 pro. the 590 is open and the 28- is sealed. is a sealed better or not really?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Get sealed if you don't want sound leaking in our out. I have the 280s and like them. If you don't care about isolation, then get open ones.

 

[CSMR]

Good headphones tend to be open.

 

[exitnow]

i was thinking about sealed ones so i could keep out alot of sound, but was wondering if the open ones really don't let too much in anyways. both cans are over the ear, so they should keep out alot of noise, but are they both very different in that respect or not?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: exitnow
i was thinking about sealed ones so i could keep out alot of sound, but was wondering if the open ones really don't let too much in anyways. both cans are over the ear, so they should keep out alot of noise, but are they both very different in that respect or not?

Go and try some out at a local AV store. Open ones lets sound out and let sound in.

 

[exitnow]

thank you both for posting

 

[masteraleph]

This happens to be a particularly bad comparison, since the HD590s are really not all that good and the 280s are far cheaper.

As a general rule, headphones of equal price will sound better in an open form, but most open ones let a lot of sound in (Sennhesiers less than Grados, though).

 

[Appledrop]

i have some open HD 595 and are very comfy etc. I think open ones are more comfortable generally..

 

[CSMR]

Go with canalphones (Etymotic, Shure, UE, Sony) if you want isolation.

 

[yezhou]

I have the Sennheiser HD280 pro, and for what it is, its great. I don't know what type of sound you're after, but if you're looking for bassy headphones, these will severely dissappoint. If you're looking for "clean" sound, with a nice FLAT frequency response, these are GREAT. Also, I personally prefer closed-backs over open-backs, so sound won't leak out and vice-versa.

 

[Jon855]

I have the Sennheiser HD 497, and I love it, try to look this up if it does interest you.

 

[Gurck]

If you're getting phones to listen without bothering other people, go for closed cans, such as the 280s for example, or canalphones (Shure, Etymotic). If you want the best sound per dollar and don't require isolation, open phones are probably a better choice. Keep in mind many high end phones, such as the 590s, won't reach their potential without a headphone amp. 280s benefit from one but the difference isn't as pronounced as with higher impedence cans.

 

[exitnow]

i got the 590s through amazon. i got the refurbished ones for $105 with free shipping. i listened to them and i really like them, i have never had phones that had such clarity. i am using them without an amp, but still i am very impressed. i decided that i didn't want the closed ones so i could hear if someone was trying to talk to me. i have always used buds because i like them being small, protable, and they didn't mess up my hair, but these are really great now that i cut my hair off. i had the sony MDR-EX71SL, and they were pretty good, and i will still use them when welding and grinding metal because they act as earplugs, but i really love these 590s, and am suprised at how light they are.