Closed back audiophile headphones are excellent for producing high-quality sounds due to the full ear enclosure. Even on a tight budget, you can get top HiFi & high-end headphones that can create an airtight seal on your ears to prevent unwanted noises. Below, we review and compare the top rated closed-back headphones.
Looking for a quick answer? The bestHiFi high-end and closed back audiophile headphones on the market in 2024 are the Focal Elegia High-Fidelity Headphones and the Meze 99 Classics Over-Ear Wired Headphones.
Read also: Best Audiophile Smartphone 2024
Best HiFi High End & Budget Closed Back Headphones: Quick Comparison
BEST RATED  |
Focal Elegia Closed-Back High-Fidelity Headphones
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RUNNER UP  |
Meze 99 Classics Over-Ear Wired Headphones
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Status Audio Closed Back Studio CB-1 Monitor Headphones
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Sennheiser HD 569 Closed-Back Headphones
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Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z Dynamic Closed-Back Headphones
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Best Closed Back Headphones For Audiophile 2024: Reviews
1. Focal Elegia Closed-Back High-Fidelity Headphones
Best Rated High-End High-Quality Closed Back Headphones
The Focal Elegia Closed-Back headsets are specifically designed to work with portable audio players such as smartphones and tablets, making them suitable for use with your smartphone in noisy environments.
The advanced design used in these headphones ensures delivery of both low and high frequencies, reproducing subtlest audio details.
In addition, the closed back design in these headsets lets you listen to your favorite music without interference from the background noises.
The exterior design is made from high-quality microfiber, aluminum, and leather, making these headphones impressively sturdy and durable.
Pros
- Delivers high-quality, low, high-end, and high frequencies
- The aluminum, leather, and microfiber construction materials make them sturdy and durable,
Cons
- Not the best bass
2. Meze 99 Classics Over-Ear Wired Headset
Runner Up Top Hi Res Closed Back Headphones
The Meze 99 Classic headphones are HiFi high-end wired headphones that deliver incredible sound quality, making them one of the top 10 best Head-Fi closed-back headphones.
Regardless of the audio device used, they provide outstanding power efficiency due to their low impedance of 32 Ohm, making it unnecessary to amplify the sound.
The exterior design consists of real wood ear cups, which help achieve natural sound isolation, making them suitable for podcast monitoring, video editing, and studio recording.
These headphones come with a 3.5mm jack, making them convenient for use with smartphones, tablets, and computers.
In addition, these headphones feature a self-adjusting leather headband which helps to spread the weight evenly regardless of the head size, further improving comfort.
With a lightweight nature of 9.2 ounces and soft earpads, you can use these headsets for a prolonged time without ear fatigue.
Also, the different parts of these headphones are connected with bolts and nuts, making them easy to replace.
Pros
- Provides natural sound isolation
- Lightweight enough for an extended using period without ear fatigue
- Parts are not glued and can be replaced easily
Cons
- Can get warm
3. Status Audio Closed Back Studio CB-1 Monitor Headphones
Best Budget Closed Back Headphones For Audiophiles
The status audio closed back are studio standard headphones engineered with a 50mm sound driver, which helps deliver premium quality audio with an expansive and wide soundstage.
The overstaffed earpads and CB-1 padded headbands ensure maximum comfort, making them suitable for an extended wearing period.
The over-the-ear design helps to cover the ear fully, canceling all the background noise and letting you enjoy music even when operating noisy machinery.
The clicking ridges enhance customizability for the optimum fit on the head, regardless of the head size.
In addition, the Status Audio Closed-Back comes with two cables, including a 9 feet audio cable and a ¼-inch adapter for enhanced connectivity even when the audio device is several feet away.
When it comes to vocal recording, these headphones ensure zero sound leakage from the headsets into the in-built microphone.
Although the CB-1 is compatible with all the 3.5mm audio cords, they lack the locking feature.
When you want to carry these headphones, the collapsible design allows you to fold them into a small form factor for enhanced portability.
Pros
- The CB-1 padded earpads offer maximum comfort
- The connecting cable is long enough for regular connection needs
- Collapsible design enhances portability
Cons
- The CB-1 is not lockable when working with 3.5mm cords
4. Sennheiser HD 569 Closed-Back Headphones
Affordable HiFi Closed Back Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 569 are high-quality headphones that are specifically designed to offer noise isolation with incredible audio quality.
These headphones are powered by transducer technology with HD 569 drivers, facilitating the reproduction of a premium sound quality.
These headphones feature the Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement design, which ensures the delivery of a natural tonal balance with more of an ‘in room’ listening experience.
They are fitted with large ear cups that feature plush velour cushions for exceptional comfort even when wearing for a prolonged time.
The advanced transducers utilize a high-quality aluminum coil to deliver excellent dynamics, efficiency, and low distortion.
With a weight of 1.54 pounds, these headphones are impressively lightweight, and you can wear them the whole day without exhaustion.
These headphones come with two cords, with one being an HD 569 for phone call control and the other a one-button in-line remote with a microphone.
However, the glue used to hold the headband pad may not hold for long compared to the leather stitching.
Pros
- Excellent noise isolation
- Delivers a natural tonal balance
- Lightweight and suitable for an extended wearing period
Cons
- The glue used for holding the headband pad could be more durable
5. Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z Dynamic Closed-Back Headphones
Best Value Audiophile Closed Back Headphones
The Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z Dynamic closed back headphones come with OFC voice coils that are bobbin-wound and proprietary large-aperture 53mm sound drivers, which help deliver studio-quality Hi-Res audio reproduction.
The driver’s integrated top-mounted PCB and yoke helps to enhance high-resolution performance by offering a smoother airflow and transient response with precise movement of the diaphragm.
The lightweight and sturdy aluminum exterior construction help high-end to incorporate double air dumping functionality and eliminate the unwanted resonance, enhancing the reproduction of deep bass.
The advanced 3D wing supporting mechanism and the soft earpads facilitate a comfortable fit, allowing you to use these headphones for hours without ear fatigue.
Also, these headphones come with a 3-meter tangle-free connecting cord which is wrapped with a cloth to improve longevity, ensuring reliable wired connectivity.
The Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z comes with a 3.5mm stereo mini-plug connector to facilitate connectivity with most music players.
Unfortunately, although the deep bass may be impressive for bass lovers, the mids have room for improvement.
Pros
- The 53mm sound drivers deliver studio-quality sound
- Features a long connecting cable convenient for regular use
- The comfortable 3D supporting mechanism
- Precise diaphragm movement
Cons
- The mids could be better
Best Sounding Closed Back Headphones Buying Guide
Fit and Comfort
Irrespective of the amount of time you will be wearing the headphones, you want comfortable headsets. The top closed back headphones for audiophiles should fit all head sizes. Also, they should be well padded for a comfortable experience.
Sound Quality
All hi res headphones are not created equal, and some will reproduce more bass or treble than others. However, the best high-end closed back headphones should reproduce a natural bass, mid-range and high.
Durability
The materials used in the construction of the headsets primarily determine their durability. High-quality headphones are constructed using sturdy materials such as aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber. Also, the parts are joined together using bolts and nuts to facilitate replacement rather than gluing them.
Apart from the design of the headphones, you still need to consider the construction quality of the connecting cable in the case of wired headsets. Typically, braided cables are preferable due to their durability.
Final Thoughts About Hi Res Closed Back Headphones For Audiophile
Closed back audiophile headphones come in handy, especially if you are recording vocals or you want to concentrate on what you are recording.
Although the quality of the headset depends on the budget, the top HiFi & high-end headphones in 2024 are the highly rated Focal Elegia High-Fidelity Closed Back Headphones and Meze 99 Classics Closed-Back Headset for Audiophiles. They provide effective noise isolation and studio-quality audio.
Dave Pearson is a Canadian musician, sound editor, and audiophile. He is also the founder and owner of the website SoundProofGeek. On SoundProofGeek, Pearson offers advice and resources on audio equipment, including how to assess and improve audio quality, how to troubleshoot and repair audio equipment, and how to improve the music listening experience.
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