[耳机] 头戴式耳机分为开放式和封闭式

Open-Back Vs. Closed-Back Headphones

 

There are two main kinds of over-the-ear headphones: Open-Back and Closed-Back. Each offer benefits, and each has drawbacks.

If you’re in the market for some new headphones, especially if you’re looking to make an investment in some good headphones, it’s important to understand the differences.

Those differences, positives, negatives, plus lots of images and some picks in each category as you read on…

Before we get going, if you're curious about the value of high-end headphones, or have questions about headphones in general, first check out Are Expensive Headphones Worth It?, What Are The Best Headphones? and Noise Cancelling vs Noise Isolating Headphones.

Closed-back vs open-back

Most headphones are “closed-back,” which is to say, the outer part of the headphone cups have a hard enclosure. In the image at the top, the black B&W P7s (on the right), are closed back. Open-back, as you’ve probably figured, leaves the back of head phone cup open. The Audeze LCD3 on the left, is open back.

 

I love it when tech terminology is simple. There are benefits to both kinds, which is where things get interesting.

The small speaker drivers in headphones emit sound in both directions: towards your ears, and away from your ears (as in, out towards the world). Closed-back headphones largely block the sound aimed towards the world. Open-back headphones, of course, let this sound largely go free.

In general terms, closed-back headphones are designed to isolate you from the outside world. It’s just you and your music. The downside is the music is a lot more “in your head” sounding. It’s less like a “band in a concert hall” and more “a band in your head.” Perhaps not that extreme, but you get the idea. Again, this is generally speaking. There can be exceptions.