Closed back headphones with noise isolation recommendations.

[cmr_for3]

All,

What I am after is some tips on value for money closed back headphones with noise isolation (as opposed to active noise cancellation)

Wired only ideally.

Any advice appreciated.

[Keraulophone]

I managed to get these Oppo PM3 closed back headphones just before the company exited the hifi markt to concentrate on their mobile phones.

https://www.oppodigital.com/headphones-pm-3/

https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/headphones/oppo-pm-3-1299128/review

They are all you'd want them to be - optimum clarity, even frequency balance from planar drivers, beautifully put together from excellent components and very comfortable to wear for extended listening. If you can find a pair, even s/h on ebay I'd go for them. Alternatively, search for something similar, but these were a true bargain for what they offer at around £300.

Around the £100 mark there are these ATH-M50x which I bought my teenage daughter for a birthday. They are the only headphones that have managed to survive her mistreatment, and she has enjoyed using them both at home and even while travelling. They offer a studio balance but with a full bass response (and there are models higher up the range):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50X-Monitor-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=pd_sbs_267_t_1/260-5951476-4921044?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00HVLUR86&pd_rd_r=758ecbd7-6cd4-407c-b87a-9ae882f89ec5&pd_rd_w=mvmf0&pd_rd_wg=CfG7h&pf_rd_p=e44592b5-e56d-44c2-a4f9-dbdc09b29395&pf_rd_r=025VPRSE44MPE09107XB&psc=1&refRID=025VPRSE44MPE09107XB

So that you will understand where I'm coming from, this is what I use in my listening room:

https://www.hifiplus.com/articles/stax-sr-l700-lambda-earspeakerssrm-006ts-kimik-2-energiser/

[richardfinegold]

Another vote for the PM3.
I also have a pair of HiFi Man phones, the exact model of which is discontinued but they seem to have numerous successor models, with very large sponge like ear cups, so large they seem as though they would accommodate Dumbo, that are supposedly closed back but per my spouse, leak excessively.
I would actually recommend the Sony phones that I use on the noise canceling phone recommendation thread. They come with a wire and can be used as passive phones with the noise canceling function deactivated. My spouse prefers these the most for noise leakage

[Pianoman]

I’d have to second the ATHM50x, great value and great sound, three cables, very sturdy, my go-to cans out of about 5 pairs.....)

[cmr_for3]

I managed to get these Oppo PM3 closed back headphones just before the company exited the hifi markt to concentrate on their mobile phones.

https://www.oppodigital.com/headphones-pm-3/

https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/headphones/oppo-pm-3-1299128/review

They are all you'd want them to be - optimum clarity, even frequency balance from planar drivers, beautifully put together from excellent components and very comfortable to wear for extended listening. If you can find a pair, even s/h on ebay I'd go for them. Alternatively, search for something similar, but these were a true bargain for what they offer at around £300.

Around the £100 mark there are these ATH-M50x which I bought my teenage daughter for a birthday. They are the only headphones that have managed to survive her mistreatment, and she has enjoyed using them both at home and even while travelling. They offer a studio balance but with a full bass response (and there are models higher up the range):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50X-Monitor-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ref=pd_sbs_267_t_1/260-5951476-4921044?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00HVLUR86&pd_rd_r=758ecbd7-6cd4-407c-b87a-9ae882f89ec5&pd_rd_w=mvmf0&pd_rd_wg=CfG7h&pf_rd_p=e44592b5-e56d-44c2-a4f9-dbdc09b29395&pf_rd_r=025VPRSE44MPE09107XB&psc=1&refRID=025VPRSE44MPE09107XB

So that you will understand where I'm coming from, this is what I use in my listening room:
https://www.hifiplus.com/articles/st...k-2-energiser/

Thanks very much for the suggestions and info. I had seen the Oppo M3 but it was a touch over my budget. The ATH-M50Xs are much nearer the mark and hand indeed come up in my research. Glad to know they are sturdy!

I really only got into headphones after getting a pair of Phillips Philips Fidelio X2HR (They are great for listening on my own in the bedroom but I tend to read in the lounge with more noise around) and so closed back are a must.

Currently using some Anker Soundcore Life 2's for that purpose and they are solid, but just something missing/

[cmr_for3]

Another vote for the PM3.
I also have a pair of HiFi Man phones, the exact model of which is discontinued but they seem to have numerous successor models, with very large sponge like ear cups, so large they seem as though they would accommodate Dumbo, that are supposedly closed back but per my spouse, leak excessively.
I would actually recommend the Sony phones that I use on the noise canceling phone recommendation thread. They come with a wire and can be used as passive phones with the noise canceling function deactivated. My spouse prefers these the most for noise leakage

Many Thanks. I will look up your Sony suggestion. My shortlist may well be those and the ATH-M50x. I knew folks here would have a useful answer!

[johnb]

Although you don't want active noise cancellation in my experience the Sony WH-1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones are superb at what they do. I live on a hill not too far from where the St Pauls Carnival and other events are held and the headphones have been amazingly good at suppressing the noise.

As Richard has said they can be used as normal headphones or with noise cancelling and can be used wired or wireless. They aren't exactly cheap though.

[cmr_for3]

Thanks John

Do you use these with or without ANC?

[MrGongGong]

I use these

https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/dt-250.html

Not too expensive and robust & reliable

https://www.thomann.de/gb/beyerdynamic_dt250.htm

[johnb]

Thanks John

Do you use these with or without ANC?

I use them both with and without ANC and they work very well in either mode but the ANC, of course, gives superior noise suppression.

[Dave2002]

All,

What I am after is some tips on value for money closed back headphones with noise isolation (as opposed to active noise cancellation)

Wired only ideally.

Any advice appreciated.

What do you want them for? Listening home? Travel?

I saw answers to this question on another site - but I think it makes a difference how you'd want to use such headphones.

[cmr_for3]

What do you want them for? Listening home? Travel?

I saw answers to this question on another site - but I think it makes a difference how you'd want to use such headphones.

Home listening entirely. Usually with my mobile phone and Cyrus Soundkey DAC.

[Dave2002]

These are the ones which were recommended elsewhere - https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-meze...mode=shop_open

I know rather little about them, otherwise.

Perhaps I'd be more likely to go with the Beyerdynamics mentioned upthread. I have some Beyerdynamic phones, which are my preferred set, though not closed back which is the requirement here.

[MrGongGong]

These are the ones which were recommended elsewhere - https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-meze...mode=shop_open

I know rather little about them, otherwise.

Perhaps I'd be more likely to go with the Beyerdynamics mentioned upthread. I have some Beyerdynamic phones, which are my preferred set, though not closed back which is the requirement here.

Given that most studios use DT100's for closed back monitoring I would suggest that the DT series would be worth listening to
AKG are also good as are Sony
I would avoid Sennheiser as they are a bit variable in my experience

[Bryn]

Given that most studios use DT100's for closed back monitoring I would suggest that the DT series would be worth listening to
AKG are also good as are Sony
I would avoid Sennheiser as they are a bit variable in my experience

Indeed. Back in the 1970s I swore by Sennheisers. These days I am more likely to swear at them.