Whether you wear headphones that leak sound to let the world know what you’re listening to or editing, or other people’s leaky audio burdens you, leaky headphones can be annoying when used in the wrong environment.
The point about the wrong environment is important, as is the type of editing you do.
If you want podcasting headphones in all respects, I tend to recommend closed-back, flat-response studio monitoring headphones.
These are great for monitoring audio both at the time of recording and in post-production and can catch and correct any issues with your audio.
However, open-back headphones may be a better choice if you’re trying to create a natural-sounding audio track and replicate the way people hear it in the final production.
For example, someone editing audio for video might choose open-back headphones.
In an ideal world, you would have a pair of closed-back and open-back headphones to give you the option, but that’s not always possible and might be a bit overkill for the average podcaster.
However, no headphones can eliminate sound leakage. Some headphones can reduce it to a level that is almost unnoticeable.
By purchasing a high-quality noise-cancelling headphone, you can upgrade your music listening experience and avoid annoying strangers.
Today, we will give you our top picks for the best headphones that don’t leak sound.
These headphones will help you preserve your recording sessions and improve your production quality without any sound leaks.
Best Headphones That Don’t Leak Sound
1. Sennheiser HD25
With a noise-isolating rating of 30 decibels, the Sennheiser HD25 headphones will give you some privacy even when you’re in a crowd.
While they’re the uncrowned king of the best headphones, they lag behind other in-ear and over-ear headphones when it comes to sound leakage.
Sennheiser products are known for their durability, and the HD25 headphones are no exception. They have a basic design that might not appeal to most audiophiles.
However, this doesn’t affect the performance of the headphones in any way.
One of the biggest selling points of the HD25 headphones is that they balance most music profiles well. The bass is great for the average user.
However, serious bass lovers won’t be impressed. The treble can be aggressive at high volumes, so you’ll need to dial it in. Overall, this device ticks all the boxes to be a great studio headphone that prevents sound leakage.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
If you’re looking for wireless headphones with the best ANC capabilities, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a great choice.
These headphones feature a great combination of active and passive noise cancellation. This effectively blocks outside noise from entering while also preventing sound from leaking out of the headphones.
In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, the WH-1000XM4 also supports Bluetooth Multipoint. This feature allows the listener to connect to multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously.
The auto-pause feature is also a nice addition. It detects when you take the headphones off immediately.
The feature list continues in the sound department. These headphones deliver a wide soundstage while also producing rich and detailed sound.
There’s a very slight emphasis on the low frequencies when the bass kicks in. However, the mids and highs don’t get muddy. Overall, the sound reproduction is faithful to the original.
The WH-1000XM4 is essentially an upgrade from the Sony WH-1000XM3.
The two are physically very similar. However, the WH-1000M4 has thicker earcups and better ANC capabilities. Also, only the WH-1000XM4 has Bluetooth Multipoint technology.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is perfect for long-distance commuting and air travel.
In order to use the Bluetooth Multipoint feature, the source device must have the appropriate codec (AAC Bluetooth codec) to function properly.
The AAC Bluetooth codec is a type of audio codec that has not gained much popularity in the Bluetooth field due to its many shortcomings compared to other codecs.
It can connect wirelessly to multiple devices, but it mostly degrades the audio quality due to its lossy compression algorithm. Surprisingly, it is the default codec for iOS devices.
3. Technica ATH-M50x
Audio-Technica is a brand known for its professional studio monitoring headphones, and the ATH-M50x are no exception.
These headphones are the latest in their M-series line, a series that has received rave reviews from sound engineers for its stunning design and build quality.
These headphones sit securely on your ears with an adjustable headband that forms a tight seal around your ears.
Thanks to the sound-absorbing foam pads surrounding your ears, you can expect minimal sound leakage from these headphones even when listening at moderately loud volumes.
4. Soundcore Anker Life Q30 Hybrid
These are hybrid active noise-cancelling headsets with a ton of performance-enhancing settings that produce high-quality sound. ANC works both indoors and outdoors.
Using a noise-detecting microphone, the headphones suppress low-frequency sounds by up to 95%, and while talking to someone through the headphones, the calls are not interrupted and there is no voice delay, with accurate voice pickup.
It is also very comfortable to wear for long periods of time as it does not apply pressure.
It does not mean that it will fall off your ears, but it fits snugly on your head, and the lightweight protein leather ear cups and memory foam cushions ensure comfort. It prevents sound leakage.
5. Beyerdynamic DT 770 M
Audiophiles are always impressed by the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M headphones. In this price range, and among the more expensive ones, these are arguably the best noise-canceling headphones.
However, to fully utilize this device’s potential, you should not pair them with a laptop or mobile phone due to their high 80 ohm resistance. They work best when paired with a good headphone amplifier.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 M are closed-back headphones designed for use with monitors. This makes them a great choice for budding music producers just starting out in their careers.
They seal your ears well and block out a wide range of noise. They block out noise even when no music is playing, and when the volume is turned up to medium levels, you won’t be able to hear any ambient noise at all.
The sound signature of these devices is not as good as the popular DT 770 Pro, so Pro fans should lower their expectations. Nevertheless, you will be impressed by these devices.
These headphones are the best in closed-back design and are adept at blocking out ambient noise while also delivering clean and balanced audio output across a very wide frequency range.
They are one of the best sound-proof headphones in this price range.
6. Sennheiser HD280PRO
Our next pick is the Sennheiser HD280pro closed-back monitoring headphones.
The design may look bulkier than the others on this list but don’t be fooled by its relatively light weight of 1 pound. This design is only used to reinforce the product to ensure a high level of durability.
The bulkier design also acts as a thicker barrier to increase noise attenuation and minimize leakage.
If you can handle a larger footprint of headphones, you’ll find that not only is there a higher chance of sound leaking inside, but the passive noise attenuation is also greater than with a streamlined design.
The HD280pro is a permanent fixture in any editor’s location sound bag, as it strikes a great balance between quality and cost, while also being rugged enough to take on the road.
7. JBL Under Armour
It is a wireless sports training headset with an over-ear design that allows you to move freely without the wires connecting the earphones and tangles and has a Bluetooth connection.
It also includes an audio cord and a carrying case for portability.
It is compatible with both iOS and Android. It is a metal headphone with perfect and excellent volume control. The headphones have a global phone control function.
The headphones are IPX4 rated, sweat-resistant and are even better for all activities such as the gym, swimming, cardio, and jogging. It prevents sound leakage.
8. KRK KNS-8400 Headphone
These headphones are lacking in noise isolation when compared to the Beyerdynamic DT 770M.
However, the noise cancellation of 30dB is adequate for studio monitoring, so it is not that bad. It eliminates most of the background noise and lets you focus on the song.
The KRK KNS 8400 headphones are uniquely designed with high-quality plastic, and the weight is kept to a minimum. You can conveniently wear them around your neck during your commute without feeling heavy. The memory foam pads are also very comfortable.
The sound quality of these headphones is excellent and produces rich details. It is easy to distinguish between good and bad songs, as your ears can detect both the presence and absence of rich details.
However, these headphones are very accurate and have a flat signature, which can be a bit disconcerting when listening to dynamic music.
If you are just starting out as a music lover, the KRK KNS 8400 will help you catch up on everything you have missed.
9. AKG Pro Audio K275
AKG is a staple in professional audio gear, and the K275 is no exception. With large drivers that deliver great bass response, these headphones are a great choice for a pair of cans with minimal leakage for the price.
If a large footprint is a deal-breaker, don’t worry. The K275 features a streamlined design that is highly ergonomic and perfect for professional audio work in the field.
With an exposed, self-adjusting headband and compact over-ear cans, AKG has eliminated all unnecessary extras in favor of a truly lightweight, minimalist studio headphone.
FAQs
Why do my headphones leak sound?
Sound is created when the drums in your ears vibrate. Over time, with increased use, the internal components wear out, causing sound to leak out rather than being retained.
This can also be the result of loose wires or playing music at unusually loud volumes for extended periods of time.
Do noise-cancelling headphones block out all sound?
Sound is a very powerful force, and we can only control it to a limited extent.
We use noise-cancelling headphones to limit the mixing of external or ambient sound with the internal sound produced by the headphones.
However, it is a misconception that these headphones completely block out all external sound.
They can be effective when the sound frequency is 100,000 Hz. Sounds that are perceived as very loud beyond this level cannot be blocked by ‘active noise-cancelling’ features.
Whether you are relaxing at home, enjoying quiet music in the car, or playing intense music at a party night, headphones have found a place for every event and occasion. Headphones are purchased because they are cheap, portable, and provide clear sound that eliminates all background noise.
However, mistakes are often made when choosing these essentials that are used not only for listening but also for communication during calls.
Therefore, you need to analyze whether you need headphones or if you can do the job with earbuds.
If you need headphones, you need to allocate a budget and choose headphones with the best sound quality and features.
In this article, we will simplify your purchasing decision by listing the best options for all your needs, including professional gaming equipment.
Conclusion
By reading through the unique features of the best noise-cancelling headphones, you’ll be able to get some ideas on which pair will fit your needs and budget.
Whether you’re looking for an affordable solution, an ergonomic pair of cans, or a solid piece built to last, we hope this list has given you some great options.
Noise-cancelling alone isn’t enough. Also, headphones with ear pads and passive noise-cancelling are often too tight for sound to pass through, so you’ll want to make sure the ear pads and material on your headphones are comfortable.
Additionally, our previous list offers the best solutions to avoid buying mistakes. You’ll continue to find the best noise-cancelling headphones that meet your criteria.