Written by Lisette
Edited on
7 June 2024
·
10:41
The differences between open and closed designs
If you're looking for headphones, you have to choose between a closed design or an open design. The choice you make depends on your usage situation. A closed design reduces noise from the inside and the outside, while an open design lets noise through. In this article, we'll explain which design best fits your situation.
Comparison open and closed headphones
| Open design | Closed design | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifelike sound | Yes | No |
| Reduces ambient noise | No | Yes |
| Leaks sound | Yes | No |
Designs
Closed design
The majority of headphones have a closed design. This design allows the headphones to reduce noise from the outside. These headphones also don't leak as much sound as open headphones. That way, no one will disturb you and you can fully immerse yourself in your music. Headphones with a closed design are mainly suitable for listening to music in a noisy environment, for example on the street, in the bus, or at the office. A closed design increases pressure more easily than an open design, so you'll enjoy a better bass reproduction.
Open design
Headphones with an open design let noises through both from the inside and from the outside. That means they aren't suitable for use in a noisy environment. You can use headphones with an open design at home or in the studio. Engineers often use headphones with an open design, because the sound most resembles the sound from speakers. It's lifelike, spacious, and doesn't have too much bass. If you want to record vocals in the studio, choose a closed design instead. This prevents noise from leaking to the microphone.
