Once you get past the $50 price point, below which most headphones are largely similar, the process of choosing the right set of headphones for the right application can be very confusing. In this article\review, I’ll delve into some different types of headphones and their individual characteristics, while also taking a look at the MDR-V700DJ from Sony.
When talking about conventional dynamic supra-aural headphones (the kind that go over your ears, rather than sit on them) they basically fall into two categories: open, and closed. Choosing the right kind for how you plan to use them is very important. So what does “open” or “closed” (also called sealed) mean? It refers to the design of the baffle, or backing, of a headphone ear cup.
The above picture is of an open headphone. You’ll notice that there is only a mesh screen covering the driver, and it is visible from the back of the ear cup. What this means is that sound coming from the driver inside will radiate inwards to your ears, and outwards, into the room. If you plan to use the headphones inside your own house with no one around, open headphones are the way to go. They generally (though not always) will present a wider soundstage than sealed headphones. Most consumer level high-end headphones are an open design. If you plan to use your headphones in public, open headphones are a bad idea. If you crank up the volume, people around you will be able to clearly make out what you are listening to, and will probably be bothered by them.
The Sony V700s in this review are sealed headphones. As you can see, the baffle behind the driver is solid plastic, and it will not allow any sound to escape. (Some will be audible at high volumes, but very little). Sealed phones are much better suited than open ones for use in public. Most pro-level studio monitor headphones are sealed. The reason is that sealed headphones keep the music inside, and more importantly, they keep other outside sounds out, as to not interfere with the mixing/recording process. Sitting next to a crying baby on an airplane? Sealed headphones will shut them right up, without the homicide charge.
