[30plus]

Isn't there an inherent advantage [sonically] of a headphone design that completely encloses the ears?
If nothing else, this would supress external noise. I'd think there was some acoustic advantage to this as well, like some form of bass improvement.
I like my Grado rs-1's, but am considering a set of cans that completely covers over. I do not like being able to hear other noises in the room. I like that "closed off" to the outside effect.

Comments from users of both appreciated.

 

[Guyferd]

perhaps fuller sound? since they're bigger they can give you sense of bigger atmosphere and soundstage as well. But trade off is I think slightly slower attack, due to big drivers..
for me I personally prefer full size hp too
grados are good though, circumaural as they are, but I find they are not like those cheap-cheap hp

 

[Tomcat]

With a headphone that's completely circumaural, there is propbably more natural interaction of sound with the outer ears. This is important because our individual ear-shape influences the frequency response and the timing of any signal we hear in real life. Ear shape is probably the most important of all head-related transfer functions.

 

[pedxing]

Circumaural designs in general are much more complicated because there are lot more variables involved and some of them are your head and ears. Also, the housing of the headphone is very important - bad designs can lead to resonances, imbalanced frequency responses, dead spots, and all sorts of nasty stuff that are associated with poorly design concert halls. Basically, your ears, head, and headphone is like a concert hall. Bad acoustics will just give you bad results.

The upside is that a well designed circumaural headphone should sound more natural and smooth with a wider sound stage. Bass should sound more visceral because now more of your head can feel the frequencies.

I have listened to a pair of cheap circumaural headphones that were designed with a woofer and treble on both sides. They were completely out of phase and sounded horrible.

 

[wallijonn]

Originally posted by 30plus
Quote:

Isn't there an inherent advantage [sonically] of a headphone design that completely encloses the ears?

No.

Quote:

If nothing else, this would supress external noise.

Not Quite. Any open headphone will allow noise to be heard at low enough respective volume levels. Some closed headphones still allow some noise to be heard or felt (through the outer shell casing if it is suffiecently loud).

Quote:

I'd think there was some acoustic advantage to this as well, like some form of bass improvement.

No. The drivers are designed to do what they do best. By their very nature Grado drivers tend to follow the contour of the ear.

Quote:

I like that "closed off" to the outside effect.

Sounds like you might like canal puds or ETYs.

 

[30plus]

Quote:

Originally posted by wallijonn Sounds like you might like canal puds or ETYs.

The one type of earphone I cannot stand, are those that insert into the ear canal.

I love the Rs-1's, but wondered about the shell type. Seems like they induce as many problems as they attempt to alleviate.

 

[Duncan]

Sony CD1700 / CD3000 / R10... any of the big (high end) Audio Technica line up...

...They're all super-aiural, and closed... and should be what you're looking for...

...I'm on the look out for another pair of closed 'phones, after selling on my CD1700s... probably CD3000s next...

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Quote:

Originally posted by 30plus Isn't there an inherent advantage [sonically] of a headphone design that completely encloses the ears?

Yes, comfort. Grado-lovers may argue this, but IMO they're just weighting comfort lower on their priority list to sound. Comfort is an important issue to me. Quote:

Originally posted by 30plus If nothing else, this would supress external noise.

Sounds to me like you're confusing the "closed" vs. "open" headphones question with the "circumaural" vs. ...uh...non-circumaural (supra-aural?) headphones question. Closed is what you're describing, and what you're looking for. I.E. stay away from HD600's (circumaural yet open headphones) -- you'll be able to hear everything. Quote:

Originally posted by 30plus I'd think there was some acoustic advantage to this as well, like some form of bass improvement.

Possibly, given everything else the same (drivers, etc.), it would be an improvement, but the truth of the matter is, that issue is dealt with by the designer. Properly amplified (and sourced and padded!) Grado's can generate perfectly adequate bass. (I highly recommend the Sennheiser flat replacement pad if all you are looking for is better bass.)

I've heard bad bass in closed headphones and good bass in open headphones, so I think it's more of a reflection of the designer than it is whether or not the headphone is open, closed, or circumaural.

 

[zimmer]

Quote:

The one type of earphone I cannot stand, are those that insert into the ear canal.

Are you SURE that you cannot stand them? My initial experience with Etys was a no-go. I tried both plug types, crammed them in my ears and suffered. After three days I loaned them out to a friend who is yet to return them. (Never loan your etys out) So I picked up another pair and gradually got used to them by using them alittle more each day. One month later I can say that they frequently bother me less than standard cans. I have even considered dumping my K1000s in their favor. There is an intimacy with Etys that I have not experienced elsewhere. My Grados and big Sennheisers have been barely used since I have accustomed myself to Etys. They would certainly address your isolation issues. I would use Etys at work but I do need to hear the phone or the occasional person that needs to talk to me - although they might enjoy throwing things at me to get my attention.

 

[JaZZ]

Quote:

Originally posted by 30plus Isn't there an inherent advantage [sonically] of a headphone design that completely encloses the ears?

Yes. As Tomcat and pedxing have stated, circumaural headphones provide a more natural sound(stage) due to the acoustic inclusion of the outer ear.

Quote:

If nothing else, this would supress external noise. I'd think there was some acoustic advantage to this as well, like some form of bass improvement.

Circumaural headphones can be just as open as supraaural types in terms of sound leaking in both directions. And no, the bass is not (necessarily) concerned.

The two design variants offer a principally different presentation: closer and more intimate with supraaural and more distant with larger soundstage with circumaural headphones.

BTW, I agree with zimmer about the Etys. If you want isolation, give them a chance!