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Open headphones Sound Leakage

post #1 of 41
10/28/09 at 8:07pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I have been reading a loty of reviews from people saying that Open Headphones leak out a lot of sound, so your neighbours can actually hear what you are listening, how true is this.
I know people who have sennheiser px-100 they don't seems to leak out any sound.
i'am planning to get Grado SR 325is an use it on a busy train where everyone is doing their own thing, chatting, listening to music etc, I don't want to be embarassed in there, also I don't want to compromise and get closed headphones as they are not as detailed as the open ones, also the SR60i and the SR 80i are made for portable use, would that mean that they leak out less sound then the SR 325 is, guys please give your valuable inputs.
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post #2 of 41
10/28/09 at 8:08pm
If your neighbours could hear your music, you would have to be playing music at such a level that not only would you be deaf, but the headphone will probably fail xD. People around you can definitely hear sounds but not all the music. Closed headphones for public transport or you might find some psycho guns you down for playing music too loud . I believe all Grado headphones leak as much as each other.
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post #3 of 41
10/28/09 at 8:12pm
Seems like this guy lives in the UK, so by "neighbours" he probably means those next to him on the train.

To answer your question, the SR60i and SR80i do leak quite a bit, I think just as much as the SR325 (they [the SR series] use the same basic driver design and have similar grilles, and very similar design). I would definitely look into IEMs for your uses. I don't like the sound of closed-back headphones at all and I love the sound of Grados... look into something from Head-Direct like the RE lineup for something with a Grado-like sound.
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post #4 of 41
10/28/09 at 8:16pm
If you're riding around in a noisy environment, a lot of that detail is going to be lost anyways. Save the expensive cans for home and just get whatever's comfortable and affordable for when you're on the go.
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post #5 of 41
10/28/09 at 8:40pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the comments guys, I do have the CX 300 which I can use at the gym, but i mainly want to use the Grado's on the train.
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post #6 of 41
10/28/09 at 8:42pm
I would not recommend a pair of 325's or any other Grados for that matter if they are generally going to be used in a noisy environment. You will have to turn up the volume way too high to compensate and then in turn disturb those around you. How about getting a closed pair of 'phones instead? The Sennheiser HD-25-1 II seem like a pretty decent choice.
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post #7 of 41
10/28/09 at 8:45pm
Thread Starter 
I notice you use PX 100 do they leak out the same amount of noise as the Grado's
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post #8 of 41
10/28/09 at 9:14pm
The PX100 somehow don't leak the same amount of noise as Grados. Out of all the open designed cans I've heard, including the PX100, K701/K501, Senn HD6xx, the Grados seems to beat them all in terms of noise leakage.
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post #9 of 41
10/28/09 at 9:21pm
They certainly are over-achievers in many regards, aren't they?
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post #10 of 41
10/28/09 at 10:02pm
Thread Starter 
They really are, that's why I want to get them, I won't be listening to music at home, as I have home stuff to do out there, its manly the travel to-from work that i need these cans for.
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post #11 of 41
10/28/09 at 10:09pm
You do understand that they provide essentially "zero" isolation from your surroundings, right? As in: everything you hear on the way to work or on the train or street without headphones, you will hear with the Grados.
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post #12 of 41
10/28/09 at 10:19pm
I know you're set on a Grado, but for public transport, they will suck. You'll need to drive them too loud, hurt your ears, and piss off everyone around you.

The cord is long and thick and not designed for travelling.

As for opinions about open phones leakage, they all leak about the same, because they're leaking from the back, so design and padding has very little to do with it.
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post #13 of 41
10/28/09 at 10:27pm
Thread Starter 
I know I won't be too happy with them on the train, I have been advised that the IEM's can't get the musicality of good quality headphones, so what can replace my Grado 325is.
Is there anything in the market.
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post #14 of 41
10/28/09 at 10:42pm
Grado on train? Big no no...

I have the Sony V6 and they work well on trains. Japanese brands are more specialised in closed 'phones IMHO.
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post #15 of 41
10/28/09 at 11:03pm
You can pretty much listen to your grado from the other side of the can...

They leak a lot. In a noisy environnement they will suck. In a quiet library they will definately disturb everyone.

I have some sr80. I would not recommend them for a noisy area or for an place that need to be quiet
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