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Are there any headphones that can be open or closed depending on preference?

post #1 of 14
6/19/12 at 4:24am
Thread Starter 

I want to know if there are any headphones that can be easily changed from open to close design and vice versa. 

 

For instance, something like a swivel backplate on the outside of the phones that can be rotated to reveal open ports/vents and can be immediately closed when needed depending on the situation. I use headphones at work and there are times when i want the sound isolation, and times when i do not.


Edited by mkygod - 6/19/12 at 4:26am
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post #2 of 14
6/19/12 at 4:28am

As far as I know, there are no such headphones.

 

Though, this is an interesting question.
 

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post #3 of 14
6/19/12 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 

It seems such a simple concept; I wonder why it hasn't been done (from what i know). Aside from practical usage mentioned above, It would greatly affect soundstage (obviously) and would be like having 2 headphones for the price of one.

 

If done wrong, i suppose moving pieces in a headphone can create unwanted vibrations/resonances, but i think that can be mitigated with the right design. Maybe use of rubber insert materials to help with seal and dampening

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post #4 of 14
6/19/12 at 12:29pm

Yes!

 

The FA-003 is a closed design and you can switch out the back plate to make it a FA-002 which an open design.

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post #5 of 14
6/19/12 at 12:29pm

That's a really cool idea.

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post #6 of 14
6/19/12 at 2:03pm

Beyerdynamic announced they would bring such a product to market.
 

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post #7 of 14
6/19/12 at 2:18pm

Not sure how such a concept would sound... a good closed phone like a Sony CD770, CD1700 or CD3000 are closed but sound open.

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post #8 of 14
6/19/12 at 6:32pm
Sony MDR-777LP; they're not super well received iirc. You can see measurements:
http://www.geocities.jp/ryumatsuba/mdr-d777sl.html

They're called "Altus HD" in some markets, I'm thinking there's a Japan and a US version of the same headphone. But I may be mistaken.

There's also been a few Headphile customs that do this, I'm sure if you contacted and asked really nice (and paid for it) you could get it. No guarantees it'll sound right. And the Sennheiser HD 580/600/650 can be switched from open to closed like the Fischers; if you buy the woodie panels from Headphile (or build your own out of whatever material you like).

I don't think, ultimately, such a design is going to be the best of both worlds. You have to remember that a good open headphone is designed as an open headphone from the start, and a good closed headphone is designed as a closed headphone from the start. So you'll be changing a whole lot about the sound when you make this switch. That isn't to say it's doomed to fail as an idea, I just don't think it's going to get exactly what you're hoping for. The easiest way I can explain this would be to have you take a good closed headphone and pop the cups off and listen to it again, or cover up the openings on an open headphone (you can do this with your hands or tape).
Edited by obobskivich - 6/19/12 at 6:33pm
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post #9 of 14
6/19/12 at 10:30pm
Thread Starter 

Well you're probably right. A headphone that can do both is likely not going to sound as good or refined as a comparable headphone designed from the start to be opened or closed. However,  despite the compromises, i think the practical application is definitely still there.

 

Regarding, the Sony MDR-777LP, is that Open/Close switch an electrical switch or a mechanical switch?  If it is an electrical switch, then that probably just simulates a closed or open design.


Edited by mkygod - 6/20/12 at 5:26am
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post #10 of 14
6/20/12 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkygod View Post

Well you're probably right. A headphone that can do both is likely not going to sound as good or refined as a comparable headphone designed from the start to be opened or closed. However,  despite the compromises, i think the practical application is definitely still there.

Regarding, the Sony MDR-777LP, is that Open/Close switch an electrical switch or a mechanical switch?  If it is an electrical switch, then that probably just simulates a closed or open design.

It's mechanical, it opens or closes a diaphragm in the ear-piece. It's not DSP.

I still say try this out with a pair of open or closed cans at home, and get an idea of what you're actually talking about. I'm not doubting that it's plausible, but I don't see it as practical.
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post #11 of 14
6/20/12 at 2:00pm

There is also this: http://www.head-fi.org/t/424842/beyerdynamic-dt880-closed-back

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post #12 of 14
6/20/12 at 2:14pm

The Yamaha YH-5M has removable caps that essentially turn them into open backs.  Aesthetically speaking, it's one my favorite headphones. 

 

yh5m2.jpg

 

bca78bba403d4ecb54d897878a11af4c.jpg

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post #13 of 14
6/20/12 at 2:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Curly21029 View Post

The Yamaha YH-5M has removable caps that essentially turn them into open backs.  Aesthetically speaking, it's one my favorite headphones. 

350x233px-LL-88df4bb2_yh5m2.jpeg

320x215px-LL-e7f38bfd_bca78bba403d4ecb54d897878a11af4c.jpeg

Those look like the eye-remover tool from Minority Report. Where can I get them?
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post #14 of 14
6/20/12 at 3:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by obobskivich View Post

Where can I get them?

 

They come up for sale in random places from time to time.  They're extremely rare, though, and I've only seen one come available on the FS forum... and it had a jacked up driver.

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