The long-awaited sixth instalment in the Andertons Scoreboard series is here! We’ve put a new selection of closed-backed headphones through their paces to find the very best cans on the market. This time round, the price point we’ve explored is £120-£180. But for the uninitiated, what does closed-back actually mean? Well, put simply, this kind of design helps to stop noise from leaking through your headphones. This is particularly useful when you’re recording, as it means any microphones within earshot won’t pick up any sound from your headphones. This will help you to get as clean a take as possible.
Our list covers headphones from some of the most respected names in the business – from Audio Technica and Beyerdynamic, to Sennheiser and Austrian Audio. We were so impressed in fact, that we’ve even included Rode’s very first foray into the headphone space! Each pair on this page was put through a rigorous round of testing to determine their level of quality. We’ve rated them all on sound, build and comfort, with a final overall score displayed for each model. This provides you with a quick snapshot of how each pair stacks up against one another in this price range.
Check out the rest of our headphone ratings here:
This is RØDE’s first ever pair of over-ear monitoring headphones. Years of intense R&D went into the creation of the NTH-100, and that attention to detail is present in every single facet of their construction. A memory foam headband and noise-rejecting earcups – paired with a sleek ergonomic design – ensure that comfort is maintained even during the longest periods of mixing and mastering. The intuitive Fitlock system incorporated into the headband itself even maintains its position after every session; you’re assured a snug, perfect fit every single time you put them on!
When it comes to sound, the NTH-100 is equipped with custom matched 40mm dynamic drivers. The result is accurate bass recreation, clear sound and a rich midrange.
Rating:
- Comfort: 4.7/5
- Build Quality: 4.6/5
- Sound Quality: 4.4/5
Final Score: 4.6/5
These are one of Beyerdynamic’s most popular pairs of headphones. The DT770 series has developed a worthy reputation as one of the best headphone ranges around, and this model is no different.
Soft velour ear pads and an adjustable padded headband let you work for hours without listening fatigue. Every component is fully replaceable too; in the unlikely event that something happens to break, simply swap it out for a fresh part.
Whether you’re working on a song of your own, or listening to music while you’re out and about, you’ll experience flat, evenly balanced audio over every frequency. ‘Bass reflex’ tech bolsters the quality of the sound further with enhanced bass response.
Rating:
- Comfort: 5.0/5
- Build Quality: 4.6/5
- Sound Quality: 4.3/5
Final Score: 4.6/5
If you want cutting-edge, truly modern headphone design, Focal Professional are the brand for you. Suitable for monitoring, mixing, gaming, streaming and general listening, these Listen Professional headphones take all applications in their stride.
A bleed-proof architecture lets you track drums, guitar or vocals without any noise leaking into your take. To top things off, high-quality transducers guarantee top drawer audio fidelity, no matter what you’re hearing.
Rating:
- Comfort: 4.6/5
- Build Quality: 4.7/5
- Sound Quality: 4.4/5
Final Score: 4.5/5
Sennheiser’s HD25 Plus headphones were designed with portability in mind. A lightweight frame with smaller earcups lets you listen comfortably for hours, no matter where you might be.
They lend themselves particularly well to monitoring – so if you regularly DJ, record live, or work in broadcasting, these are perfect. This is in part thanks to aluminium voice coils which lead to a superior transient response.
Rating:
- Comfort: 4.1/5
- Build Quality: 3.8/5
- Sound Quality: 4.2/5
Final Score: 4.0/5
The Audio-Tehcnica ATH-M50X Studio Monitor Professional headphones are one of our best-selling pairs here at Andertons. This model is arguably the pinnacle of the brands M-Series, which is well-regarded throughout the music industry for combining pure audio performance with a durable, rugged build-quality.
A regular in the studio? Make sure that these form part of your audio arsenal. Long sessions are a breeze, with contoured earcups offering not just comfort, but a practical element too. They are designed to seal tightly over your ears to prevent bleed, while simultaneously improving sound isolation.
We haven’t even covered sound yet either. You’ll notice accurate bass response and crystal-clear clarity due to the inclusion of carefully engineered, proprietary 45mm large-aperture drivers.
Rating:
- Comfort: 4.1/5
- Build Quality: 3.8/5
- Sound Quality: 4.3/5
Final Score: 4.1/5
Austrian Audio’s Hi-X25BT headphones are all about choice. Whether you prefer to work wired or go wireless, or like to listen via analogue or digital means, the Hi-X25BT caters to all four preferences.
A built-in 44mm Hi-X driver produces an authentic listening experience. As a result, you’ll experience distortion-free audio, clear transients and plenty of power too!
There’s even onboard touch-sensitive controls and an integrated microphone for making and receiving calls. And not to mention the long-lasting battery which delivers up to 30 hours of carefree listening!
Rating:
- Comfort: 4.9/5
- Build Quality: 4.5/5
- Sound Quality: 4.2/5
Final Score: 4.5/5
Best Closed-Back Headphones £120-£180
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