Why I Use Two Kinds of Headphones (And You Might Want To, Too)

I used to think all over-ear headphones were basically the same. Some just looked cooler, had better branding, or were more expensive. But then I kept seeing terms like “open-back” and “closed-back” tossed around on YouTube and Reddit, and I had no idea what they meant.

(Not sure what over-ear headphones even are? This quick explainer breaks it down.)

I figured maybe it was an audiophile thing. Turns out, it’s a real design difference, and it can totally change how your music, podcasts, and games sound (and feel). And once I understood what each one did, I realized why having both in my setup actually made sense.

Why This Confuses So Many People

If you’ve never heard of “open-back” or “closed-back” headphones, don’t worry. Most people haven’t.

The labels sound technical, and unless you’ve been deep in audio forums or studio gear reviews, they don’t really tell you anything. I remember the first time I saw them, I thought: “Closed-back must be… like wireless? Or noise cancelling?”

Nope.

What’s tricky is that the difference isn’t always obvious just by looking at them, and unless someone explains it in a way that makes sense for real-life listening, it’s easy to assume it doesn’t matter.

But it does.

Especially depending on where you listen, what you’re doing, and how sensitive you are to sound, comfort, or even just what feels good when you wear headphones for hours.

So here’s how it actually breaks down.

The Real Difference Between Open-Back and Closed-Back Headphones

Let’s get the overview out of the way first. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of how the two designs behave:

Feature	Open-Back	Closed-Back
Soundstage	Wide, natural, spacious	Tighter, more “in your head”
Noise Isolation	Low (you hear everything around you; others hear you too)	High (blocks outside noise and contains your audio)
Bass Feel	More balanced or neutral	Often punchier or more emphasized
Comfort for Long Use	Breathable, cool	Can get warm over time, more sealed feel
Best Used In	Quiet spaces, solo listening, immersive sessions	Noisy rooms, travel, shared spaces, focused tasks

But that table only goes so far. To really understand what you’re getting into, let me break down what each type is, and why you might want one (or both).

Audio Terms You Should Know & What They Mean For Your Listening

A few audio terms keep popping up when comparing headphones. Here’s what they actually mean for your everyday listening:

Soundstage: This is how “wide” or “open” music feels. With good soundstage, you can mentally place where each instrument is coming from, like being in a room with the musicians rather than having sound pumped directly into your ears. Open-back headphones typically win here.

Bass Response: This is how powerful and deep the low frequencies feel. Think of the thump in hip-hop or the deep rumble in movie explosions. Closed-back designs often deliver stronger bass because they seal in those low frequencies.

Noise Isolation: Simply put, how much outside noise gets blocked, and how much of your audio leaks out to others. High isolation (from closed-backs) means better privacy and fewer distractions.

Sound Signature: This refers to the overall character of the headphones, whether they emphasize certain frequencies. Some headphones boost bass and treble for excitement, while others aim for balance across all frequencies.

What Are Open-Back Headphones?

Open-back headphones have a design that allows air and sound to pass through the back of the ear cups. You can often see the inner components or mesh grills on the outside. Those aren’t just for looks. They’re what let the sound breathe.

This design creates a more natural, speaker-like experience. Instead of sound being trapped and directed solely into your ears, it interacts with the space around you. Music feels wider. You can sometimes close your eyes and imagine where each sound is coming from. For things like acoustic tracks, orchestral music, or even open-world gaming.

But here’s the trade-off:

• Everyone around you can hear what you’re listening to.
• Open-back headphones typically have a more balanced or neutral bass response, which can sound less punchy than closed-back models, but often provide greater clarity. However, some open-back models still offer impressive bass
• And you’ll still hear your environment, fans, voices, street noise, etc.

So if you live with people, or you’re trying to listen on the go? Open-back isn’t going to help you escape anything. But if you’re home alone, in a quiet room, and you just want to feel like you’re inside the sound? It’s hard to beat.

What Are Closed-Back Headphones?

Closed-back headphones are more common. Most consumer headphones fall into this category. The ear cups are sealed on the outside, trapping sound inside and blocking much of the noise from the outside world.

That sealed-off design does two main things:

• It isolates your listening session from the environment.
• It often gives you stronger bass response, since none of the audio escapes.

If you’re trying to stay focused in a noisy apartment, ride public transport, or listen at night without waking anyone, closed-back is the obvious choice. They’re also better for voice calls or anything involving a mic, because there’s no sound leakage to worry about.

The downside? The sound can feel more narrow. Like it’s coming from inside your head rather than around you. And over long sessions, your ears might get warmer or feel more “pressurized,” especially with tighter fits.

But if you only want one pair of headphones to handle everything from commutes to late-night gaming, closed-back is probably what you want to start with.

When Good Headphones Don’t Sound So Good

While headphone design plays a big role in how things sound, there’s one more factor that often goes overlooked, and that’s how your headphones are being powered.

Some headphones, especially certain open-back models, need more power than what your phone or laptop can give. If you’ve ever tried a pair that people rave about but thought it sounded flat or underwhelming, it might not be the headphones. It might be the source.

That’s where headphone amps and DACs (digital-to-analog converters) come in. They help power headphones that need a little more juice, unlocking more detail, clarity, and dynamics in your music. Not every setup needs this kind of extra power. Most closed-back consumer headphones are easy to drive, but when it does matter, it really matters.

I’ll share more about how using an iFi DAC changed how I hear music in a future post. But if you’re ever wondering why a pair of headphones isn’t blowing you away the way people said it would… it might just need a little more juice.

How I Use Both (And Why I Keep Switching Between Them)

At this point, I’ve tried enough headphones to know that how they sound is only part of the experience, but how they feel in different moments is what really shapes when I reach for one pair over another.

When I’m hanging out at home editing photos, cleaning, or just playing games on my PS5, Switch, Portal, or PC, I usually go for my closed-back headphones. I’m a bit of a bass head, and closed-backs just suit the kind of music I listen to, especially when I want that extra punch of bass.

Plus, my open-backs need to be paired with my portable DAC/amp to really shine, and unless I’m at my PC, that setup isn’t super practical on console.

That said, it kind of depends on my mood. If I’m gaming and I just want to enjoy the soundtrack, like really listen to it, I’ll stick with closed-back. But if I want to feel immersed in the world, like picking up ambient sounds or overhearing random NPC side conversations on my PC, I’ll grab my open-backs. The sense of space and detail you get is wild.

I’ll also sometimes lean toward IEMs when I’m on the Portal, just for the sake of portability, but that’s a whole separate topic for another post.

Late at night, it really depends on what I’m doing. Since I live alone, I can get away with using open-backs for music without bothering anyone. But if I’m watching a movie and I want to keep the volume down, I’ll usually grab my closed-back Bluetooth headphones instead of firing up the soundbar. Gotta respect the neighbors.

Out in public, it’s closed-back or nothing. If I’m working at a coffee shop, I want to stay focused and not bother anyone nearby. And if I’m walking, running errands, or just taking out the trash, I’ll pop in some earbuds instead, more for convenience than sound quality.

So yeah, I own both. And while I do use my closed-backs more often, I’m glad I have the option to switch it up. Sometimes I don’t want to be too “in my head” with the sound. Other times I want to sit with music, YouTube videos, or even a podcast for a while without fatigue.

It all depends on the space, the scenario, and the vibe I’m going for.

But that’s just how I use them. What works for me might be totally different from what works for you, so here are a few things to keep in mind before choosing the pair that fits your life.

Things to Think About Before You Choose

Let me leave you with a few quick things to keep in mind. Not a checklist—just stuff I wish someone had told me upfront:

• Noise matters. If you’re often in loud environments or around people, closed-back is a safer bet.
• Comfort isn’t just about padding. Open-back headphones tend to feel cooler over time. Sealed headphones can make your ears sweat a bit.
• Soundstage is real. If you want that wide, “concert in your head” feel, open-backs will get you there faster than EQ settings ever will.
• Privacy counts. If you live with others or want to listen discreetly, go closed-back. No one wants to hear your playlist at 1AM.
• You don’t need to pick just one. If you end up liking both, that’s not wasteful, it’s flexible.
• Consider your source device. Some headphones, especially higher-impedance models, may require more power than a typical phone or laptop can provide. If you’ve ever tried a pair that people rave about but thought it sounded flat or underwhelming, it might not be the headphones. It might be the source.
• Think about your typical use case. Are you mostly listening at home in a quiet environment, or do you need something for commuting or working in a noisy office? Open-back headphones are great for solo, quiet settings, while closed-back models are better for noisy environments.
• Budget accordingly. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get good sound. There are quality options in both open-back and closed-back categories across various price points.

Remember, the best choice depends on your personal preferences, typical listening environments, and the kind of audio experience you’re seeking. It’s all about finding what works best for you.

Conclusion

Open-back and closed-back headphones aren’t just categories. They offer completely different listening experiences. And depending on where you are, what you’re doing, and how you like to listen, one might suit the moment better than the other.

You don’t need to be an audiophile to notice the difference. You just need to pay attention to how it feels, not just how it sounds. That’s what helped me figure out what I actually enjoy using day to day.

If you’re just starting out, closed-back headphones are a solid, versatile first step. But if you’re curious about how open your music could sound, open-backs might surprise you.