Closed or Open?

[Geowat]

Basically, I'm a bedroom DJ looking to buy new headphones, normally I use my PC speakers to monitor my mixing, sometimes connect my hifi speakers as well. I currently use some apparently* closed cup headphones (these: http://www.jpleisure.co.uk/HP535.jpg) but I need to buy some new ones, as the sound quality on these isn't as good as I'd like.

The question is, should I get some closed headphones or open ones? I use my headphones for DJing less than I use them for listening to music, and when I am DJing I tend to have the speakers on fairly quietly, will closed cup headphones be much of a disadvantage when listening to music?

*The sound does spill out the vent things on each side and I can hear stuff outside the headphones quite easily. I can just hear my self typing now for example, with my pc volume on 30% (normal/quiet listening level).

At the moment, I'm generally looking at either
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-H...902299&sr=1-13
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-H...3902299&sr=1-5
or (and its looking most likely atm unless closed cups offer a significant improvement)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-H...3905885&sr=1-1


Also, will the sound quality be better in the closed ones or the open ones?

[Dustwave]

To be honest, i don't know much about the technical differences between closed or open, but i'v always prefered closed.

[gotwf]

Originally Posted by Dustwave

To be honest, i don't know much about the technical differences between closed or open, but i'v always prefered closed.

closed are less comfortable for extended wear because they tend to press more tightly against your head to "seal" out the external noise. also get warmer and more "sweaty" since also seals out fresh air. open are much more comfortable since they don't have to concern themselves with shutting out external noise. I use open for listening. Closed are marketed more towards recording industry. But in studio monitors are still best.

As far as sound quality, you should be able to get excellent quality from either, depending on your budget.

[Docdr]

go closed.

beyerdynamic

sony

[90degrees]

gotwf pointed out the pros and cons of each system, for leisure listening I use open designs just for the comfort but I really got to love my cheap 2nd hand HD215, The right can folds 90 degrees forwards or backwards, kinda made for me you know.

I sold my Sony MDR700 (closed!) as I don't do clubs at the mo and they're heavy on the treble.
You spin in the bedroom so prolly won't have a lot of ambient noise, you could go either way and as you have used closed cans in the past just pick what you feel comfy with. Like Dusty said, in the end it's personal preference really.

[gotwf]

Originally Posted by Docdr

go closed.

beyerdynamic

sony

no offense but i'd drop sony and add AKG (since Senns are already on the short list).

[Trance88]

I don't know much about DJ'ing but closed headphones would make the most sense to use when DJ'ing. Closed headphones would allow you to concentrate on what you're mixing.

[kostistlac]

... personaly, when im using my close headphones SENNEHEISER HD25-1 MKII, i need a break after 3 hours. So when i need to work more i change them for my open KOSSS UR/29.


... nice thread

[darkoalex]

To to the djing i better to use a pair of headphones which are able to give a normal sound (without a good quality), but if are also interested to have a good sound you have to spend much money because you want the quality and a professional headphones like Pioneer, Technics or Sony.

[Skelion]

im not a pro or anything im just giving my thoughts

closed i would imagine would be perfect for producers or singers in a closed studio or ppl that master their own music.closed are good headphones but i think in a dj perspective open ear and semi closed are more favorable over closed. not that ppl dont use closed, but if your djing,you want to know what happens outside your headphones also, things can sound awesome in headphones but might not sound good out the speakers.i know you said your djing in the bedroom, but if you ever got the chance to play for some friends or a gig you may want to take that under consideration one day.

i bought myself my allen and heath xd 53's and love them, good solid sound and made for pretty much any dj style. only backfire is that after 3 hours they can tend to get heavy on your head. if you have the $$$ maybe look for the hd2000 pioneers, not that they are the best but they have memory foam so u can listen for HOURS on end. those would be my next purchase in the future. technics have a good solid sound, sony mdr 700 are ok but not too much isolation and not too comfortable (as ive researched it not from my point of view) sennheisers hd 25 havent heard any bad things about them either, i think those are the ones that are completely replaceable too! thats a big plus and the isolation i read are incredible. just remember that u will get lots of different opinions, just get whatever works for yourself and budget!

hope some if any of that helped on your quest

[CosmicSky]

open has a much better sound output, but it only matters if u r mixing with it, For Djs closed is the way to go

[whitelabelpromo]

I have closed ones and they're good

[Whizzercone]

If you are recording anything with live mics it's closed other than that go with what is comfortable to you and sounds good.

[ikki]

Try both or you'll never know for yourself

[DJ Stev]

hey i had a cheap pair of jvc's (25 buck at best buy) before i got my sony mdrv's and honestly in the bedroom it doesnt matter what u buy. u dont have a huge house sound system u got to isolate urself with or a huge crowd to block out. just need something to hear the beats

[Qarraway]

They serve two different purposes. Open headphones have a bigger sound stage but they bleed sound. You need closed headphones to effectively monitor and beatmatch. I think the gold standard headphone for djing is the Sennheiser HD-25II's.

[PLASMA FUTURE_]

Closed for me - but be aware if you wear glasses as can be a little bit of a hinderance