What are the Best Closed-Back Headphones?
Over the last few months, our crack team of in-store audio experts have been putting a smorgasbord of closed-back headphones through their paces to determine the very best options at various price points.
After multiple rounds of meticulous testing – exploring every facet of their construction, from sound and build quality to overall comfort – each pair of headphones received a final average rating out of five.
For the full in-depth breakdown of our best closed-back headphones (and a few in-ear ones) at each price point, check out the complete set of reviews below:
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- Andertons Scoreboard: Best Closed-Back Headphones £10-£20 (2024)
- Andertons Scoreboard: Best-Closed Back Headphones £20-£40 (2024)
- Andertons Scoreboard: Best-Closed Back Headphones £40-£70 (2024)
- Andertons Scoreboard: Best Closed-Back Headphones £70-£100 (2024)
- Andertons Scoreboard: Best Closed- Back Headphones £120-£180 (2024)
This final instalment in our headphones scoreboard series outlines the winners from each set of tests. From trusted, established brands like Behringer, Beyerdynamic and Austrian Audio as well as new boys on the headphone block, RØDE, here are the best-in-class closed-back headphones at each respective price, as rated by the Andertons staff!
£10-£20: Behringer BH 470
Budget doesn’t have to be a dirty word. The Behringer BH 470 Studio Headphones’ affordable price tag doesn’t mean the brand have skimped on quality. A high dynamic range, broad frequency response and high-resolution make them ideal for wide range of applications – from monitoring a bass line, mixing a track, or simply just listening to your favourite tunes!
A comfortable headband, paired with oval-shaped ear cups (augmented with high-resolution capsules) ensure that you’ll be listening to nuanced audio in comfort. Whether you’re listening via a smartphone or mixing console, these definitely deliver and won’t bust the bank either.
Rating:
- Comfort: 5/5
- Sound quality: 5/5
- Build quality: 5/5
Final Score: 5/5
£20-£40: Ordo HP-PMH30 Closed-Back Headphones
Experience premium sound quality with the Ordo headphones, delivering exceptional audio clarity and comfort for hours of uninterrupted listening or mixing. With a lightweight 280g design, robust 53mm drivers, and wide frequency response, these headphones are perfect for audiophiles and professionals alike. Affordable and versatile, they include a 3.5mm stereo jack and a 6.3mm screw-on adaptor, making them compatible with a variety of devices. Ordo offers outstanding performance at a budget-friendly price.
Rating:
- Comfort: 4.7/5
- Sound quality: 3.2/5
- Build quality: 4.5/5
Final Score: 4.13/5
£40-£70: AKG K245
The AKG K245 are the culmination of over 70 years of cutting-edge design and development from the brand. There’s a good reason why their K240 series has sold over a million pairs since their introduction; the K245 offers a fidelity of audio that almost recreates the experience of sitting before a set of quality reference monitors.
Hear the most minute details and a seriously precise bass reproduction. Listen to sounds in class-leading clarity, and subject your ears to studio-grade frequency response. When put together, these characteristics are assured to benefit your mixes which will translate accurately across a host of contrasting playback systems.
Rating:
- Comfort: 4.4/5
- Sound quality: 4.2/5
- Build quality: 4.5/5
Final Score: 4.4
£70-£100: Austrian Audio HI-X15
On the train, at home, in the studio, or on the stage, the Hi-X15 from Austrian Audio thrive in all these scenarios and more. Comfortable foam pads and external noise isolation allow you to focus on the finest auditory details, no matter where or what you’re doing. And thanks to a unique foldable construction, you can easily store them away when you’re done!
Hi-X series drivers deliver unparalleled clarity and power at this price point, with distortion-free reproduction and crisp, clear transients no matter the frequency.
Rating:
- Comfort: 4.9/5
- Sound quality: 3.8/5
- Build quality: 4.5/5
Final Score: 4.4/5
£120-£180: RØDE NTH-100 & Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro
The NTH-100 is RØDE’s first ever pair of over-ear monitoring headphones, and they’ve managed to hit it out of the park at the first attempt! Years of thorough R&D went into the creation of the NTH-100, and that attention to detail is present in every element of their design. A memory foam headband and noise-rejecting earcups – complimented by a streamlined ergonomic footprint – maintains comfort during the longest periods of production. A smart Fitlock system built into the headband retains its position after every session; you’re guaranteed a snug fit every time you use them!
In terms of sound, the NTH-100 is equipped with custom matched 40mm dynamic drivers. You’ll experience precise 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
The Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro are one of the most popular pairs of headphones that the brand produces. The DT770 series has developed a worthy reputation as one of the best headphone ranges around, and for good reason.
Soft velour ear pads and an adjustable padded headband let you work for hours without experiencing listening fatigue. Every component can be replaced as well; in the unlikely event that something does break, just swap it out for a fresh part.
Whether you’re working on a song of your own, or listening to music while on the move, you’ll notice flat, evenly balanced audio across all frequencies. ‘Bass reflex’ tech augments the quality of the sound with improved bass response.
Rating:
- Comfort: 5/5
- Build Quality: 4.6/5
- Sound Quality: 4.3/5
Final Score: 4.6/5
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