Closed back headphone advice

[MikeK]

I need a new pair of headphones :( , and looking around and reading some threads on here, it seems most of the poular models now are openback designs.
The problem is that I need closed back.

Does anybody know of any good closed back designs.
I don't use them that often, but want something decent for when I do. As I haven't bought a pair in 10 years or more, I've totally lost the plot with this subject these days.

The two I've seen on websites are Beyer230 and Sennheiser HD210, both £30-40. There doesn't seem to be anything higher up the range though. Anyone know of any other decent makes/models?
Are openbacks fundamentally that much better than closed back?

Thanks

[Radiohead]

Originally posted by MikeK
I need a new pair of headphones :( , and looking around and reading some threads on here, it seems most of the poular models now are openback designs.
The problem is that I need closed back.

Does anybody know of any good closed back designs.
I don't use them that often, but want something decent for when I do. As I haven't bought a pair in 10 years or more, I've totally lost the plot with this subject these days.

The two I've seen on websites are Beyer230 and Sennheiser HD210, both £30-40. There doesn't seem to be anything higher up the range though. Anyone know of any other decent makes/models?
Are openbacks fundamentally that much better than closed back?

Thanks


Mike

The obvious closed-back version is the Sennheiser HD25 - probably the most complete monitoring 'phone you can buy for reasonable money. They aren't cheap though, at £100 or so.

It depends how high you want to go but try www.headfi.org - they are serious users over there and helped me out a while back.

I prefer open-back myself, just because they seem to me to be more open and airy - closed cans sound a little shut in for my tastes, although they are certainly taut, if that's your bag.

:)

[Keiron99]

If you've got £100 to spend, try and hunt down a pair of Sony MDRCD1700 closed back phones. I'm a Stax electrostatic user, and these Sonys (which I also own) are the only phones I've ever heard that give them a run for their money. They're not a current model, but I've seen some shops advertising them in What HiFi. In my humble opinion, Sennheisers are always overrated.
Also check out www.headwize.com.

[Neon]

Hey, I've got Stax electrostatics too! There's nothing better (IMHO!)