[MarbeL]

quick question, I've read around a little bit about closed headphones making you sweat or being uncomfortable after a period of time. Do all closed headphones become uncomfortable or make u sweat after about 2 hours? I've never owned a closed set, could someone explain the differences for me? Does the sound like echo in closed headphones since its like trapped in there vs open?

 

[Rednamalas1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarbeL /img/forum/go_quote.gif quick question, I've read around a little bit about closed headphones making you sweat or being uncomfortable after a period of time. Do all closed headphones become uncomfortable or make u sweat after about 2 hours? I've never owned a closed set, could someone explain the differences for me? Does the sound like echo in closed headphones since its like trapped in there vs open?

my closed 'phone doesn't usually make me sweat, then again, I don't bother bringing my headphones if it's really hot outside.

Good closed headphone shouldn't make it echo - headphone companies build their headphones to counteract that reverberation anyways. There are several high-end headphones that are closed - such as L3000, W2002, W5000, Sony R10, Denon D2000, D5000 etc.

It's generally easier to present the soundstage when headphones are open, however - it's also easier to control the bass.
EDIT: I'm not sure about the last point - can anyone else verify this for me?

 

[ericj]

Some people seem to have peculiar ear anatomy that makes them sensitive to any closed headphones at all - they find that they get a headache after a while with even the best closed cans, and no amount of psychoacoustic tinkering (like crossfeed effects) can make a difference.

But unless you are one of those unfortunate few, some closed cans are more comfortable than others.

A steel headband that can be adjusted to reduce clamping force helps. Beyers and several other brands can be adjusted in or out with gentle bending. Sennheisers just break in half.

Velour pads help a lot. Failing that, leather or good quality vinyl rather than sticky sticky pleather.

Basically, I recommend that you get yourself to a Guitar Center or similar store and try on a pair of DT770's and see what you think.

Of course, I'm still waiting for someone to start making lycra-covered coolmax earpads.

 

[Rednamalas1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif Some people seem to have peculiar ear anatomy that makes them sensitive to any closed headphones at all - they find that they get a headache after a while with even the best closed cans, and no amount of psychoacoustic tinkering (like crossfeed effects) can make a difference.

Wow, I didn't know that

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif Velour pads help a lot. Failing that, leather or good quality vinyl rather than sticky sticky pleather.

I agree, pleather is horrible - it doesn't feel very nice as velour as well

 

[jgonino]

I have pretty much THE biggest ear pads of any closed headphone on my DX1000, and I don't find then hot, nor do they make me sweat. Actually, they are quite comfy.

 

[Cheule]

I really enjoy my BeyerDynamic 770 Pro 80s (demoed and bought from guitar center) which are closed headphones. They are very comfortable to wear for long periods (2-3 hours), and I have no sweating problems. The pads are a silvery-grey velvet which feels very nice. If you want really decent performers for under 200, I think these are worth looking into.

 

[krmathis]

1) Not everyone. I often perform 2-3 hour listening sessions with my closed-back 'phone, and don't experience these issues. They are comfortable all the way, and don't make my ears sweat.
2) A well designed closed-back 'phone (like the 4070) certainly don't have an echo sound to it. They sound very close comparable open-back 'phones. The general opinion are that they have more bass punch and a narrower sound stage, which is true in most cases.

 

[hanalei mike]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgonino /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have pretty much THE biggest ear pads of any closed headphone on my DX1000, and I don't find then hot, nor do they make me sweat. Actually, they are quite comfy.

x2, and I am in Hawaii.

 

[cooperpwc]

I always thought that open was better. Then I got Darth Beyers and never looked back. I have also heard Denon 2000s and the Sony R10, the first very good, the latter simply excellent. So I don't buy into any inherent negatives to closed.

My Darths are very comfortable and I find the leather pads more comfortable than the velour. Matter of taste.

 

[esuko]

I realy like closed headphones sonically and the sound isolation is a great bonus.
Actually some open phones i have owned had worse soundstage and being more hot.
In bass there is definetly difference between open and closed. Impact definetly is different open vs closed.
But you have to try witch one you prefer yourself.
Weight is one thing to consider also. Closed are usually hevier but there are some light ones.
K340 is so heavy for me that i only listen to it on the bed or in comfy amrchair.

 

[Elluzion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif Some people seem to have peculiar ear anatomy that makes them sensitive to any closed headphones at all - they find that they get a headache after a while with even the best closed cans, and no amount of psychoacoustic tinkering (like crossfeed effects) can make a difference. But unless you are one of those unfortunate few, some closed cans are more comfortable than others. A steel headband that can be adjusted to reduce clamping force helps. Beyers and several other brands can be adjusted in or out with gentle bending. Sennheisers just break in half. Velour pads help a lot. Failing that, leather or good quality vinyl rather than sticky sticky pleather. Basically, I recommend that you get yourself to a Guitar Center or similar store and try on a pair of DT770's and see what you think. Of course, I'm still waiting for someone to start making lycra-covered coolmax earpads.

i think i am one of those people. I bought the DT770 and started annoying me after a while. not sure if i played it too loud or damaged or what but i sold them. Im getting some IEM's because i used to have shure e2c's and they never bothered me. we will see.

 

[silverrain]

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