
This blog post provides detailed information about the best closed back headphones priced under $1k. My article will not discuss every headphone model available. Instead, I will discuss only the most well-known headphone models. Plus, I will examine upcoming releases that could become popular.
Closed back headphones offer special advantages to users. When you need to block out background noise from your surroundings choose closed back headphones because they seal off sound. These headphones deliver stronger bass sounds because they seal off the ear canal from outside noise. When you need privacy in a quiet space closed back headphones will contain your audio signals.
- FiiO JT1: the best budget closed back headphones
- AKG K371: a top recommendation for audiophiles
- Rode NTH-100: the best versatile closed back headphones
- FiiO FT1: the best stylish closed back headphones
- Sony MDR-M1: bass-heavy, everyday headphones
- Beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X: smooth, punchy, and ready for rock
- Meze 99 Classics and NEO: best closed back headphones for a fun and flavorful sound
- Sennheiser HD 620S: unique closed back headphones with exceptional spaciousness
- Focal Bathys: premium build among the best closed back headphones
- Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII: an upgrade worth considering
- Aune SR7000: exceptional Comfort and airy sound in a closed back design
- Wrapping up
Alright, let’s kick things off with the budget model – FiiO JT1.
FiiO JT1: the best budget closed back headphones

The FiiO JT1 headphones come in at a holiday gift level price. Available in both black and gray, with lots of positive reviews, the JT1 has kind of set a benchmark as a great all-rounder with a low price tag. The unboxing experience itself is rather basic, but it does come with a felt travel pouch and a really high-quality detachable 3.5mm cord. The clamp force is super light, so it may not be the best for any form of active use, but I do like it for casual listening.
The bass is strong, so it’s not that neutral, but the bass lift is accompanied by enough upper mids and treble to not sound too congested either. Voices don’t sound as natural thanks to the boosted bass and upper bass cut, but for under $100, I don’t think there’s a better complete package for a closed back headphone right now.
AKG K371: a top recommendation for audiophiles

Audiophiles have recommended the AKG K371 for years because it delivers exceptional sound quality.
What exactly does ‘exceptional’ mean in this context? The Harman target serves as a standard reference point based on user listening preferences from multiple surveys. Our listening preferences depend on the content we hear and the media we consume. This headphone delivers a balanced sound profile that most people find enjoyable. The K371 delivers excellent sound quality at an affordable price and matches the Harman target making it a reliable choice for most users.
The bass delivers power without overpowering while vocals and midrange tones appear naturally and clearly. The upper mids on this model are softened to prevent harsh or loud sounds but they may not deliver precise analysis like other headphones. The treble produces extended sound without going too far.
The K371’s biggest problem lies in its uncomfortable design and poor construction. The product quality matches its price range but the headband padding needs improvement and the design does not fit my head shape well. The ear seal behind my ears works perfectly to deliver consistent bass tones.
Your head shape affects how you experience bass so check the measurements with caution. My K371 shows significant channel imbalance and I found the worst position to experience this problem. Check if the sound quality matches between your left and right ear when you receive the product.
Rode NTH-100: the best versatile closed back headphones

The Rode NTH-100 comes in a few variants, both white and black, and the option to add a boom mic. It’s a rather clean design, and even though the earpads are small, I really like the pad material. It actually feels quite cool to wear over a longer period of time, which was surprising.
If you have larger ears, you may not find the comfort to be as good as how I found it because the openings are rather small and they are shaped a little funny as well. The included cord is sleeved with a TPU rubber jacket, which while feels durable, has a surprising amount of microphonics, so you hear quite a lot of cable noise when wearing the headphones and moving around. It’s not easy to replace either as it uses a proprietary locking connector.
The sound profile has just a subtle boxiness to it. The bass is nice and well received for tracks that command it, but when doing some critical listening, I find that vocals sound a little bit thicker and lacks the clarity and detail that many other options here have. If you want something that sounds a little thick, super laid back, and like the Rode branding, then I’m sure there’s a place for it, especially if you want analog headphones with a decent boom mic to support either your gaming or conference calls during the day.
FiiO FT1: the best stylish closed back headphones

The FiiO FT1 features a stylish wood cup design. You can use the FT1 with any 3.5mm cable because it includes both a travel case and standard ports. The package includes two premium audio cables: one balanced and one single-ended.
The fabric sleeves on both FT1 cables produce some noise but their microphonics impact is much lower than what the NTH-100 experiences. The FT1 feels great to wear and blocks outside noise well thanks to its large ear pads. The headphone delivers exceptional sound quality beyond its basic design benefits.
The FT1 delivers sound quality that matches high-end headphones like the Aune SR7000 and Focal Bathys at a much lower price point which makes it a breakthrough product. The 2000Hz boost in sound may bother some listeners but remains the only minor issue. The sound profile pushes vocals too strongly toward the front which some listeners may find unpleasant. The vocal mix stands out more than usual but the bass response remains strong enough to please most listeners.
The sound profile suits many types of music including rap and classical while feeling comfortable on the ears.
Sony MDR-M1: bass-heavy, everyday headphones

The Sony MDR-M1 stands out as a unique choice. The headphones deliver powerful bass sounds with noticeable mid-bass tones.
The MDR-M1 features a 250Hz bass cut that lets bass tones stand out clearly without distorting human speech. The headphones soften their sound quality at 4000Hz in the outer ear area to make listening easier and I think this decision was wise. The headphones regain treble energy near 8000Hz to avoid sounding sealed-off.
These headphones deliver excellent daily performance but they lack the premium sound quality of high-end models. I really enjoy the basic construction of this product. You can take this device anywhere because it fits well in any position and remains simple to use.
Beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X: smooth, punchy, and ready for rock

Beyerdynamic sells the DT700 Pro X model for both recording and monitoring purposes. The package includes a premium carrying pouch plus two mini-XLR single-ended cables in different lengths. The device feels balanced to hold but its velour pads offer excellent softness and accommodate most ear sizes.
The center acoustic discs extend slightly from the ear cups but they do not bother me because these cups are deeper than other Beyerdynamic models. The DT700 Pro X produces a mellow sound response compared to other detailed headphones I am reviewing. The headphone’s performance goes beyond basic treble and tuning adjustments. The headphone driver delivers delicate music details through its carefully designed sound reduction system.
The headphones deliver excellent sound quality even when dealing with imperfect audio recordings. You will miss some details when listening to an analytical track with these headphones. The bass delivers powerful beats with strong dynamic range. These headphones deliver excellent rock music performance thanks to their smooth sound delivery. I enjoy listening to rock and metal music through these headphones without needing to adjust their equalization settings.
The FT1 and SR7000 headphones deliver more intimate vocal sound compared to these headphones which sound slightly dry. These headphones deliver a solid listening experience right out of the box without extensive equalization adjustments. The headphone design feels solid and provides a pleasant wearing experience.
Meze 99 Classics and NEO: best closed back headphones for a fun and flavorful sound
And then we have the Meze 99 Classics…

…and NEO.

The Classics are adorned with a beautiful wood and gold finish, which, while unique, won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Thankfully, there’s the NEO version, which is black and silver and sounds nearly identical for quite a bit less money, thanks to the use of more plastic instead of wood. I find the symmetrical design, lightweight build, and self-adjusting suspension head strap to be very comfortable.
The leatherette pads do a decent job of blocking sound, but they do build up a little bit of heat over time. This isn’t a headphone I’d suggest as your only one, but it’s something to consider if you want a bit of special sauce or flavor in your sound. The bass is strongly boosted and carries into the mids, giving the sound an essence of boxiness or thickness.
The upper mids are relaxed and recessed a bit, so vocals sit further back in the mix. This makes for a more casual listening experience, as the 99 is not a super analytical headphone. Compared to the mid-range, the 99 has some emphasis in the mid to high treble, making certain instruments or audio cues really come to life around you.
Again, this is not neutral, but the coloration of sound might make certain songs feel more lively and fun to listen to. The boosted treble didn’t add any real sibilance for me, so I don’t find any area particularly offensive. It’s just one of those musical, fun-sounding headphones, but definitely not a neutral or analytical option.
Sennheiser HD 620S: unique closed back headphones with exceptional spaciousness

The Sennheiser HD 620S headphones stand apart from other models. The 600 designation points to a headphone that matches the HD 6XO series but the HD 620S shares its design and audio capabilities with the HD 560S. The headphones feature typical Sennheiser chassis pressure. Their lightweight design and soft ear pads make them comfortable to wear during extended listening sessions.
The passive noise isolation system of the 620S stands out as the best among all models shown here because it blocks outside sounds better than any other headphones I tested while keeping your audio clear. The 620S produces a roomy sound that tries to replicate the spaciousness of the 800S open-back design at a fraction of its price. The 1.5 to 2kHz frequency response area receives a large scoop to push sounds further back into the mix and make them seem more distant or spread out.
The effect brings enjoyment but I would not use it for all my listening sessions. When you need precise tonal accuracy between recorded and real-life sounds the 620S shows minor deviations. Your listening preferences determine how well the 620S works for you.
These headphones deliver exceptional performance for both live music and movie experiences. When I adjust the 620S sound profile to match my preferences the spacious sound field reduces and it becomes similar to other headphones with the same tonal output. I can listen to different types of content at normal volume levels while enjoying excellent voice and spatial sound quality.
Focal Bathys: premium build among the best closed back headphones

The Focal Bathys headphones block outside sounds well but not as effectively as the 620S or MDR-M1. They deliver superior construction alongside comfortable design and superior audio performance.
The Focal Bathys design matches their high-end status and matches their expensive price point. The headphones deliver powerful bass that extends down to 20Hz without any issues. The bass response here is less powerful than what you get from the MDR-M1 or FT1 but delivers refined and dynamic bass tones.
These headphones deliver powerful rock sound and deep bass for all music genres including rap and EDM plus excellent performance for movies. The bass level stays balanced enough to let both instrument and vocal sounds come through naturally.
The main problem I find is in the treble range above the mids. The Focal Bathys move the ear area to the right before creating a deep space and producing soft treble sounds. These headphones produce either minor glare moments or reduced detail quality in specific audio tracks.
These headphones deliver excellent performance in most listening situations. They need special tuning but deliver an effortless listening experience with their comfortable design. These headphones deliver excellent bass performance with perfect power and dynamics control. When you adjust the equalizer settings to fix the tonal problems they remain a top choice among available options.
Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII: an upgrade worth considering

The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII represent the latest headphones that Beyerdynamic has released. These headphones represent an advanced version of the DT 700 Pro X design.
They arrive with a protective hard shell instead of a pouch plus two cable choices and two sets of ear pads. The velour pads that come standard deliver better sound quality than the leatherette pads but produce stronger bass and softer treble. The leatherette pads do not create a secure seal for me so your head shape may produce less bass than with the velour pads.
The leatherette pads deliver better noise blocking but the velour pads on the DT 700 Pro X produce similar sound quality. The bass stays strong but the low-mid range receives less reduction which makes vocals and instruments sound truer to life. The DT 1770 Pro MKII deliver less emphasis in the upper mids and low treble while showing a smaller dip in the 4000 Hz pinna region. The vocals blend better across all tracks despite sounding less upfront on specific songs.
The vocals and bass need more depth and the 8000 Hz peak requires equalization to sound better. They deliver better detail and wider sound while feeling sturdier than the DT 700 Pro X. Based on your assessment you should purchase these headphones if their higher cost matches your expectations.
Aune SR7000: exceptional Comfort and airy sound in a closed back design

The Aune SR7000 comes with an impressive case and cable package. The copper balanced cable with clear sleeve looks fantastic. The Aune SR7000 looks attractive and produces no background noise.
These headphones provide the best comfort among their competitors including FiiO FT1 and Focal models but they feel slightly bulky on the head. People with small heads may experience discomfort because these headphones do not fit securely.
The SR7000 delivers a natural sound profile that matches the Harman curve except in the low treble range. The headphone produces extra energy at 15,000 Hz and above which creates spacious and airy sound that reduces typical closed-back headphone congestion. Some listeners may find the headphone’s strong treble too bright while others will enjoy its balanced sound.
This headphone brings out metal instruments better than any other model in our lineup. The headphone design places the drivers at an angle toward the listener. The unique driver placement pushes the audio mix forward to interact differently with your ears than standard headphones.
The headphone produces a subtle nasal effect during vocal passages that reduces the smoothness of certain tracks because of its relaxed low treble response. The headphone delivers a broad sound profile but needs equalization to achieve neutral tuning. This is just me being picky. The SR7000 delivers excellent comfort and detailed sound quality which makes it a top headphone choice. The response of closed back headphones to equalization stands out like other models.
Wrapping up
I’m sure I may have missed a couple of closed back models you care about, and if I did, I’m really sorry. That wraps up my roundup of the best closed back headphones, and I really hope you found this guide helpful.
Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more!
And make sure to check out my latest TOZO NC9 review. 🙂
Disclaimer: This “Best Closed Back Headphones for Every Budget in 2025” page contains several affiliate links which I receive a small % of the sale if you buy something. This is at no additional cost to you (sometimes you can even get a discount). I do my best to review only products and services worth your attention.