Closed-back headphones that keep your backing track out of the mic, for recording, podcasting, and quiet practice.
Closed-Back vs Open-Back
Closed-back headphones have sealed ear cups. They keep sound in, so the backing track in your ears doesn't leak into the microphone. They also keep some outside noise out.
That's why all three picks are closed-back. They suit recording vocals, podcasting, quiet practice, and noisy rooms. For the microphone itself, our guide to USB microphones for podcasts and streaming covers desk mics that plug straight into a computer.
Open-back headphones have vented cups. They often sound more spacious, and many people prefer them for mixing. But they leak sound both ways. People nearby hear them, and a sensitive mic picks them up.
Impedance in Plain English
Impedance, measured in ohms (Ω), is how much a headphone resists the signal driving it. As a rough guide, lower impedance is easier to drive from a phone, laptop, or interface. Sensitivity, in dB, tells you how loud it gets for a given power. Higher means louder.
All three picks (38 to 63 Ω, 99 dB or more) play loud from an ordinary interface or phone. You don't need a separate headphone amp. Some studio headphones come in 250 Ω or higher versions, and those often need one.
The Sony MDR-7506 is a special case. Sony's US pro site lists 63 Ω, and some of its other regional sites list 24 Ω. We show the US figure. Its high sensitivity makes it easy to drive either way.
For Practice and Recording
- For guitar or bass practice through an amp or a modeler, a detachable or long cable helps. The M50x and MDR-M1 include more than one. Tune up first with our guitar tuner or chromatic tuner.
- Keep the volume moderate. Long sessions at high volume can damage your hearing. Our noise levels chart shows how long is safe at each level.
- Check left, right, and phase with our speaker test. It works with headphones too.
- To record, you need something to plug them into. See our audio interface guide, or browse all our gear guides.
