It seems like open back are the defacto recommendation for headphones. I already own an AKG K240 and since I intend to use them around other people, I don’t want the noise bleed. What do people prefer for closed back applications? I’ve been looking at the DT 770 Pro’s and the Hifiman Sundara Closed. I really like a sound signature with a bass emphasis. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
I love my Fostex T50RP Japanese imports - the regular mk 3 are fairly similar. Excellent sound with the planar magnetics, and fairly easy to drive as well.
The mod scene is insane too.
I’ve been really curious about these! I’ve read that they are semi-open, but I wonder what that means in practice. Do they have a lot of sound bleed? Or do folks tend to mod them to be more closed back?
Semi-open is a good description. The “mesh” looking portion of the Headphones is open, but the rest of the back is closed. Stock, there’s some sound bleed from the headphones, but if you’re willing to mod (which I did) it gets fairly isolated fairly quickly.
The bleed isn’t bad - unless you are really blasting music.
Below is a pic that shows my mod - the bottom grill was open stock, the top is blocked/solid plastic.
Thank you for the detailed explanation!! I don’t really have room in my project queue for modding headphones quite yet, but if I do I’d probably get started with these.