Anything with zero noise bleed? Up to $400 or so

[karljs]

I'm not sure that what I want even exists, but here it goes. I work in a silent environment and need it to stay that way. I've owned several sets of IEMs and just don't find them comfortable. I really want something full-sized.
 
I know closed-back headphones are generally best for this, but the Denon pair I own is closed-back and might as well be floor speakers for my purposes. Reviews often talk about isolation, but rarely sound bleed. It's not clear to me that the two are all that closely correlated.
 
My budget is somewhat flexible, but I'd like to keep things at or below $400. If I can be picky, I like a mostly neutral sound. I don't mind a little extra bass so long as it's quick and crisp.

 

[talisman42]

Quote:

I'm not sure that what I want even exists, but here it goes. I work in a silent environment and need it to stay that way. I've owned several sets of IEMs and just don't find them comfortable. I really want something full-sized.
 
I know closed-back headphones are generally best for this, but the Denon pair I own is closed-back and might as well be floor speakers for my purposes. Reviews often talk about isolation, but rarely sound bleed. It's not clear to me that the two are all that closely correlated.
 
My budget is somewhat flexible, but I'd like to keep things at or below $400. If I can be picky, I like a mostly neutral sound. I don't mind a little extra bass so long as it's quick and crisp.

 
If you get a good seal, the AKG K550 isolate very well.

 

[eltocliousus]

How do you feel about on-ear, rather than over-ear? People tend to recommend the K550 when isolation is mentioned..

 

[karljs]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Quote:

How do you feel about on-ear, rather than over-ear? People tend to recommend the K550 when isolation is mentioned..

 
 
Given the choice, I prefer over-ear. I do wear glasses so sometimes it's hard to get a good seal with them. I could be convinced to go either way.
 
Do you have another suggestion in addition to the K550 that's an on-ear model?

 

[talisman42]

Quote:

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
 
Given the choice, I prefer over-ear. I do wear glasses so sometimes it's hard to get a good seal with them. I could be convinced to go either way.
 
Do you have another suggestion in addition to the K550 that's an on-ear model?

 
I had a positive experience with K550 seal w/ glasses but as usual, ymmv. As for on-ear styles, the Beyer Dt1350 is good with excellent noise isolation.

 

[ZARIM]

The ATH-ES10, Ultrasone Pro900, V-Moda M80, Harmen Kardon BT, Klipsch M40, Denon D600 are pretty good sounding for the price and they block lots of noise.

 

[ScaryFatKidGT]

DT770 250 or limited ed 32ohm, I don't think anything gets through them.

 

[HamilcarBarca]

Quote:

DT770 250 or limited ed 32ohm, I don't think anything gets through them.

 
The DT 770 Pro is rated at 18 dB isolation as is the T70. Lots of sound will get through them.

 

[karljs]

Thanks for the information, all. I'll see if I can find a few of those locally to try out.

 

[mister skinner]

Klipsch Mode M40 have crazy good isolation if you can put up with their sound.
 
 
They're on sale today for $150 refurbished at tech.woot.com

 

[StudioSound]

As you have found out, the Denons are a closed headphone design, but not a sealed headphone design.
 
As people have suggested here, the AKG K550 is a good choice for an around-ear sealed headphone. They sound good for the price, and are also comfortable to wear with glasses. While they can provide a good seal (some people find them too big though) the materials used should allow you to put on or remove your glasses without taking the headphones off.
 
Another suggestion would be Sony's Z1000 which you may be able to find discounted now that it is discontinued, or the MDR-7520 which many people say is essentially the same headphone. The MDR-1R is another option. (though I haven't heard them) They are similarly isolating, but are quite a bit smaller than the K550 and have better padding. The clamping force is a little higher, and due to the materials used you will not be able to put on your glasses without taking the headphones off first - at least not until the pads soften up. They're more comfortable, sound better in my opinion, and they have a removable cable (that uses a standard 3.5mm jack) which I find important.
 
If you are wanting on-ear headphones that isolate well, B&W's P5 are very good in that regard. They have a high clamping force though, and I find on-ear headphones to be uncomfortable to use with glasses, as they press the top of my ear against the arm. Around-ear headphones don't have that problem for me. Sennheiser's HD25-II or Beyerdynamic's DT1350 should also be good choices for sealed on-ear headphones.

 

[Armaegis]

For the most part, headphones with high isolation will also have low leakage.
 
The best that I've heard in terms of isolation for full sized headphones: Senn HD280 and HD380, Beyer DT770 (better w/gel pads), AKG K271/272