Closed-back headphones keep your music to yourself and block some of the world out, which makes them the right choice for offices, shared homes, recording, and travel. These nine picks, mostly chosen from RTINGS' lab tests and all sold new on Amazon, run from a budget studio favorite to the luxurious Focal Stellia, plus two wireless pairs with noise canceling.
The best closed-back headphones for most people are the FIIO FT1 (~$220): a little extra bass, accurate mids and treble, real wood earcups, and a fit that stays comfortable for hours.
For less, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (~$59) are the best budget pick, and the Sony MDR-7506 (~$113) are the studio classic. If money is no object, get the Focal Stellia (~$2,999). For wireless with noise canceling, get the Sennheiser HDB 630 (~$448).
Closed-back headphones have sealed earcups, so they keep your music private and block some outside noise. That makes them the right choice for offices, shared homes, late nights, recording, and travel, anywhere open-back headphones would bother people or let in too much noise (see open-back vs. closed-back if you're not sure which you need).
Our picks are based on RTINGS' lab measurements and its closed-back recommendations, which compare frequency response, consistency, isolation, build, and comfort across hundreds of headphones. We only include headphones sold new on Amazon, so we left out the Sennheiser HD 480 PRO, RTINGS' top closed-back, because it's frequently returned there, and the Audeze LCD-S20, which is poorly rated by Amazon buyers. Seven of the nine picks are wired; the last two are wireless closed-backs with noise canceling for people who want audiophile sound on the go. The Denon AH-D9200 and Focal Bathys MG are based on manufacturer specs and professional reviews instead of RTINGS' lab data. Prices are per pair.
| Headphones | Driver | Impedance | Sound | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIIO FT1 | Dynamic, 60 mm | Not listed | Warm, extra bass | Most people | ~$220 |
| Focal Stellia | Dynamic, beryllium | 35 ohms | Warm, punchy | Luxury listening | ~$2,999 |
| Sennheiser HD 820 | Dynamic | 300 ohms | Wide, detailed | Open-back feel | ~$2,200 |
| Denon AH-D9200 | Dynamic, nanofiber | 24 ohms | Warm, rich | Warm luxury sound | ~$1,419 |
| Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO | Dynamic | 32, 80, or 250 ohms | Bright, detailed | Durability, studios | ~$200 |
| Sony MDR-7506 | Dynamic | 63 ohms | Bright, consistent | Editing, podcasting | ~$113 |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | Dynamic | 47 ohms | Warm, punchy | Tight budgets | ~$59 |
| Sennheiser HDB 630 | Dynamic, wireless | N/A | Balanced, with EQ | Travel, noise canceling | ~$448 |
| Focal Bathys MG | Dynamic, magnesium, wireless | N/A | Warm, spacious | Luxury travel | ~$1,199 |
The best closed-back headphones for most people, and one of the best values in headphones, period. A healthy dose of bass gives dance music and hip-hop real energy, while the mids and treble line up closely with RTINGS' target, so vocals stay detailed and cymbals sound natural. You also get a lot for the money: real wood earcups in several shades, a very comfortable fit, a luxurious case, and cables for different setups.
Worth knowing: the build isn't as solid as pricier picks, and the swiveling yokes feel stiff. The bass depends on a good seal, so glasses wearers will notice a drop.
Check FT1 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.If money is no object, these are the closed-backs to get. The build is in a class of its own, with leather and aluminum throughout, a hard case, and braided cables. The sound is warm and punchy, with deep, impactful bass, clear and present vocals, and highs that never get harsh. Despite their weight, they're comfortable enough for long sessions.
Worth knowing: the bass drops if you have thick hair or wear glasses, since both break the seal. The treble is slightly recessed, which softens a little detail, and the sound stays "inside your head." If you want a wider presentation, look at the HD 820 next.
Check Stellia price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Sennheiser's attempt to give closed-back headphones the spacious sound of its HD 800 S. Curved glass covers over the drivers absorb sound bouncing back inside the cups, so the HD 820 create a wider, more out-of-your-head presentation than any other closed-back here. They're also cheaper than the Stellia while still firmly high-end.
Worth knowing: RTINGS found their tuning a bit boxier than the Stellia's, and voices and instruments sound slightly harsher. At 300 ohms, they need a good headphone amp (see our best headphone amps).
Check HD 820 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.A flagship closed-back for about half the price of the Focal Stellia. The earcups are made from bamboo, which Denon says damps unwanted resonance, and reviewers describe a warm, rich sound with strong, textured bass and a surprisingly open presentation for a closed design. At 24 ohms and high sensitivity, they're easy to drive from almost anything.
Worth knowing: reviewers find the soundstage more intimate than the Stellia's. This pick is based on Denon's specs and professional reviews rather than RTINGS' lab data.
Check AH-D9200 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.A studio workhorse that has been in production for decades, with a spring-steel headband and replaceable parts that survive years of daily use. They're very comfortable, with soft velour pads, and their detailed, slightly bright sound makes it easy to pick out small details in a recording.
Worth knowing: RTINGS notes a sharp peak in the treble that can be fatiguing over long sessions, and they have a little less bass than the FT1. The cable is permanently attached.
Check DT 770 PRO price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.The headphones you'll find in countless recording studios, newsrooms, and podcast setups since the early 1990s. Their bright, forward sound makes clicks, pops, and sibilance easy to hear, which is exactly what editors want. RTINGS found they deliver sound more consistently than the FT1, regardless of head shape or glasses.
Worth knowing: the bright tuning can be fatiguing for casual listening, and the cable is permanently attached. The earpads wear out after a few years, though replacements are cheap.
Check MDR-7506 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.The cheapest way into audiophile-style closed-back sound. A bump in the mid and upper bass adds punch and warmth without muddying the mids, so vocals and instruments stay clear. They're easy to drive from any phone (with a headphone jack or adapter) or laptop.
Worth knowing: the frame feels cheap next to the FT1, and the exposed, attached cable is the most likely part to fail. A treble dip dulls cymbals slightly, and they don't block much noise.
Check ATH-M20x price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Audiophile sound you can take on the bus. These are the best-sounding wireless headphones RTINGS has tested, with a remarkably balanced default tuning and a full parametric EQ and crossfeed in the app. They also have excellent noise canceling, a built-in mic, multi-device pairing, and enormous battery life.
Worth knowing: if you wear glasses or have a larger head, the fit may not seal well, which reduces bass. For watching TV, see our best wireless headphones for TV.
Check HDB 630 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Focal's luxury wireless headphones, with magnesium-dome drivers and a build to match the price. Reviewers describe a warm, rich, spacious sound with punchy bass, and they sound best plugged into a computer or phone with the included USB-C cable, which turns them into a high-resolution DAC. Three listening modes, including a transparency mode, cover commutes and flights.
Worth knowing: they cost more than twice as much as the HDB 630, which is the better buy for most people. This pick is based on Focal's specs and professional reviews rather than RTINGS' lab data.
Check Bathys MG price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Less than most people expect. A sealed earcup cuts high-pitched sounds like voices, keyboards, and air vents noticeably, but low rumbles like engines, trains, and air conditioners pass through almost untouched. Closed-backs also keep your music from leaking, which matters more in an office or a shared bedroom.
If you need real quiet on a plane or train, you want active noise canceling, like the HDB 630 above (see our best noise-canceling headphones), or sealed in-ear monitors (see our best IEMs).