Closed back headphones with noise isolation recommendations.

[cmr_for3]

Thanks to all for their recommendations. I went with the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X in the end an Amazon voucher from xmas making them a snip.

[Dave2002]

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

Interesting viewpoint this, also echoed by MrGG. I have some Sennheisers, though admittedly bought some while ago, and as I recall in some ways they are better than the Beyerdynamics - though as I've not used them for some time I can't be absolutely sure. I think they seemed to have an extended HF response compared with the Beyerdynamics - but generally, for comfort and other reasons I usually go back to the Beyerdynamics. These are good enough that sometimes I have thought that other people or objects were in the same room and I had to take them off to check that I was hearing things via the cans.

What were the failings of Sennheisers - did they tend to go wrong, or was quality control an issue?

[Keraulophone]

I went with the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

A good value choice. They'll last for ages... perhaps until you find a used pair of PM3s!

(I've just noticed that my daughter has recently passed on the pair I gave her to her 14yo brother; I bet even he won't be able to ruin them.)

[MrGongGong]

Interesting viewpoint this, also echoed by MrGG. I have some Sennheisers, though admittedly bought some while ago, and as I recall in some ways they are better than the Beyerdynamics - though as I've not used them for some time I can't be absolutely sure. I think they seemed to have an extended HF response compared with the Beyerdynamics - but generally, for comfort and other reasons I usually go back to the Beyerdynamics. These are good enough that sometimes I have thought that other people or objects were in the same room and I had to take them off to check that I was hearing things via the cans.

What were the failings of Sennheisers - did they tend to go wrong, or was quality control an issue?

The very expensive ones are great
the cheap ones (these days) are rubbish.

[mallard fizz]

I need a pair of closed-back headphones for home use.

Have short-listed the following two. I cannot go to a shop and try them, I'm in a remote area and must have them delivered, but I don't want to order both and send one back. I need to get it fairly right before I buy.

Any ideas as to which ones are better?

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

Beyerdynamic DT250 (80 ohm version, because need to use with some lower power sources)

[cmr_for3]

I need a pair of closed-back headphones for home use.

Have short-listed the following two. I cannot go to a shop and try them, I'm in a remote area and must have them delivered, but I don't want to order both and send one back. I need to get it fairly right before I buy.

Any ideas as to which ones are better?

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

Beyerdynamic DT250 (80 ohm version, because need to use with some lower power sources)

I only have Audio-Technica ATH-M50X so can only comment on those (I started this thread)

Really nice well made and comfy. Block out most sound but not all.

[mallard fizz]

I only have Audio-Technica ATH-M50X so can only comment on those (I started this thread)

Really nice well made and comfy. Block out most sound but not all.

Thank you for your reply.

I will go ahead and order the Audio-Technica. I was just wondering if anyone had some experience about the Beyerdynamics.

[MrGongGong]

Thank you for your reply.

I will go ahead and order the Audio-Technica. I was just wondering if anyone had some experience about the Beyerdynamics.

I used the DT250s all the time
Robust , great sound and isolation and comfy for long periods

I would choose these over the Audio-Technica's

[mallard fizz]

I used the DT250s all the time
Robust , great sound and isolation and comfy for long periods

I would choose these over the Audio-Technica's

Thank you for your reply. I've already ordered the Audio Technicas, so I can't do anything other than receive them and try them out. I guess I can send them back to Amazon if I'm not satisfied, and order the Beyers. With high street shops disappearing, I would otherwise have to make a trip into London.

[mallard fizz]

I used the DT250s all the time
Robust , great sound and isolation and comfy for long periods

I would choose these over the Audio-Technica's

UPDATE: After a while, I returned the Audio-technica. Found them less than neutral, particularly the bass was unnatural. Very comfortable, but not in the long haul. Replaced with the Beyerdynamic.

The sound is far more neutral/natural and they are way more comfortable - no problem in wearing them for hours on end. Not as loud as the ATs, but I have a surfeit of all sorts of amps so no problem!

Thank you very much for your excellent steer

[MrGongGong]

UPDATE: After a while, I returned the Audio-technica. Found them less than neutral, particularly the bass was unnatural. Very comfortable, but not in the long haul. Replaced with the Beyerdynamic.

The sound is far more neutral/natural and they are way more comfortable - no problem in wearing them for hours on end. Not as loud as the ATs, but I have a surfeit of all sorts of amps so no problem!

Thank you very much for your excellent steer

Not at all... glad you like them

I think ( see elsewhere on here) that many folks are often put off by gear they think is somehow for "professionals" when it is often better made, more reliable, higher quality and considerably cheaper than stuff made for the domestic market.

[Beresford]

UPDATE: After a while, I returned the Audio-technica. Found them less than neutral, particularly the bass was unnatural. Very comfortable, but not in the long haul. Replaced with the Beyerdynamic.

The sound is far more neutral/natural and they are way more comfortable - no problem in wearing them for hours on end. Not as loud as the ATs, but I have a surfeit of all sorts of amps so no problem!

Thank you very much for your excellent steer

Are they similarly comfortable with glasses?

[mallard fizz]

Are they similarly comfortable with glasses?

I wear reading glasses and it makes no difference to comfort/fit. But I can only speak for my own experience.

[Pulcinella]

I hope that this is the best/right thread to post a link to a review in today's Guardian for Sennheiser's Momentum 4 headphones:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/aug/22/sennheiser-momentum-4-review-tremendous-noise-cancelling-headphones-bluetooth-battery

[Bryn]

They look pretty good for Bluetooth headphones. However, without a copper cable option, their reliance on lossy CODECs used by the different versions of Bluetooth they are set up the handle means they cannot truly be described as high definition, surely?