Best Closed-Back Audiophile Headphones of 2022 | Moon Audio

[@moon-audio]

In case you missed it, we’re currently giving away the new Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless noise-canceling headphones paired with one of our custom Black Dragon Portable Headphone Cables - a $550 value - free to one of our loyal followers! Submissions close on September 19th, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST. Click here for more info: www.moon-audio.com/video-sony-wh-1000xm5-headphones-black-dragon-portable-cable-giveaway

[@prathameshnikam9100]

the introductory joke was so relatable and funny not even kidding

[@moon-audio]

Glad you liked it!

[@Yeastextract]

Currently have the Denon 9200 (as well as the 7200) and would love to add the Sony Z1R to my collection. I’m absolutely in love with how the 9200 makes music so they’ll be hard to beat.

[@generaljericho889]

Would you recommend the 7200 for movies? Or maybe the 5200?

[@CamperIV]

@@generaljericho889 5200 all the way. 7200 has a very uncomfortable headband because it was the first of the bunch. Not sure if they fixed it by now. 7200 had a lovely sound and amazing midrange but the comfort was suffering. 5200 much better in this regard but of course the 9200 is top notch the best of the 3.

[@shani1340]

I didn't even know what a closeed-back headphone was until 5 minutes ago

[@disconinja108]

I love Sony headphones 🎧

[@aceofspades6667]

Verite Closed and Focal Radiance are two great closed back headphones... I own the Celestee and they are solid as well.

[@soulfulfool]

I own Tangzu Zetian planar IEM for 150$ and I'm pretty sure it can destroy any of them in bass quality, more or less in other aspects of sound it also deliver decent fight. So I can easily show middle finger to top player prices ;)

[@alexvikendi1768]

I just like the fostex for the look and price .. Is it really that better (Z1 and Vérité Zmf) I can still found the drop version as new for 550 $/€ 🥲 (which is already the most expensive close back headphone I would own by a mile) ✌️

[@morespinach9832]

@@soulfulfool bass is not the only thing. Nothing will be “destroyed”. 😊

[@soulfulfool]

@@morespinach9832 there will be destruction you cant stop it 😂 but now I own VC and yes 150$ IEM have no chance xD anyway Wu is great

[@thebastblastofficial]

Good comment. I have the ZMF Verite

[@musclecarfan74]

Good video, but I would like to know wheat these headphones are being plugged into as well as what the audio source is. Are you streaming, CD, SACD, or vinyl. My headphone are more basic Sony MDR-V6, my amp a Yamaha A-S801. Music format vinyl.

[@gabrielmarinescu9835]

Meze are...AMAZING!tThey are the best!

[@sameh9310]

For me the TH900 mk2 are the best which ever sat on my ears :) but i've modded them a little bit tho to just slightly take out harsh highs, adding a little bit more "loosened" Bass and better mids. (ZMF Ori Hybrid Pads with Damper Rings) this also increased them heavily comfort wise, Stock pads and headband aren't that comfy for me :/ The only headphones they didn't beat for me in case of Soundstage/imaging where the Sennheiser HD820.

[@Zakuman87]

did you try eikon pads? i have also TH900 mk2 currently with stock pads and audeze LCD3 in my collection. I am thinking to buy other pads and check difference in sound

[@sameh9310]

@@Zakuman87 i bought a ZMF crescent strap and swapped it out against the stock headband which is way more comfy, and i also bought hybrid auteur and universe pads (also with dekoni rings), these had way less bloomy bass and are more controlled in that region (what i seem to enjoy more), pushed the mids in a pleasant spot, but the problem with sibilants came back. A Hybrid Tube amp fixed that problem, but i sold them recently because i own a ZMF Atrium for about 2 months now, they are better in every aspect for me :) Eikon pads tho, i think they will make it bass heavy like the Ori's, but if thats your liking you definitely wont go wrong with them.

[@Bargo.]

Such a great review. These closed-back headphones are my dreams. Can I find headphones of this quality for a lower budget that can deliver goods like these? 300$-400$ ± budget

[@delamain1559]

for my ears celestee is top 1, sony z1r to bassy for sound engineering and all other headphones except planar doesn't have the celestee level and planar is not usable for sound ingineering but excellent for hifi listening

[@HiLoMusic]

This is probably one of the most wrong assessments I’ve ever seen. Planar is perfectly usable for sound engineering lmao

[@maninthai]

Any idea why ZMF headphones never made it in Moon Audio’s list?

[@moon-audio]

We don't sell them here at Moon Audio, but thanks for your comment!

[@Vugar.Ahmadov]

They are Best!

[@TheKent2288]

Ditto. In nirvana with my ZMF Verite Closed, Pontus II DAC and Auris Tube amp (the one that looks like headstand) setup. So 3D holographic, organic, and so much fun to listen.

[@RafiGish]

Because they're made after being ordered, it's not an item a shop normally would have on stock.

[@pointyfox]

Heard all these except the Denon. Owned the TH900MK1, TH900MK2, MDR-Z1R, Radiance, HD820, and currently own the Stealth. I think the Stealth is the best followed by the TH900. Regarding Moon Audio's Dragon headphone cables, they all perform identically to any stock cable (it's been measured). They don't actually change the sound at all.

[@anthonydiviolla1944]

it's been measured? what's your source, bro?

[@martinarscott3524]

I've just bought the Denons to go with my Focal Clear open back, lets just say I won't be using the Focals very often from here onwards.....Btw, electrical measurement isn't an effective way of determining the difference (or not) that a cable makes.

[@Vamp898]

Most people describe silver cables as more clear, that alone proofs that cables don't make an difference and people just make it up

[@martinarscott3524]

@@Vamp898 in your opinion, which happens to be wrong

[@Image-X]

Uh, anyone can plainly hear the difference between a silver or copper cable alone. The difference can be dramatic.

[@leetronix]

Good selection and good take on them.

[@moon-audio]

Thanks! Stay tuned for our open-back picks, coming soon... 🙂

[@Maxiimko1989]

Is 2021 Audeze LCD XC worthy to be be on this list?

[@moon-audio]

It has it's place for sure, but when looking at top headphones everything comes into play. Not just sound. But also comfort. The XC is pretty darn heavy.

[@Obisp2]

Z1R ❤️

[@cloudsan1111]

Which cable do you recommend for the original open back Sundara headphone?

[@moon-audio]

We recommend the Blue Dragon Headphone Cable for original 2017 open-back Sundara: www.moon-audio.com/blue-dragon-headphone-cable-v3.html 🙂

[@jamesbittle9789]

The Aeon Closed Noire is my favorite in the $1000 range. Its tuning is more natural than the Celestee in my opinion.

[@moon-audio]

Also a great choice! 👍

[@morespinach9832]

In achieving the JBL style harmonnkardon curve it lacks the low end weight big time. Top end is super refined. But most music 70s onwards it’s a weak option.

[@attomicrooster7823]

Rognir? Stellea?

[@moon-audio]

The Focal Stellia is on our TOTL, Best of 2022 list! You can check that out here: www.moon-audio.com/videos/v/best-reference-headphones-of-2022/228590068

[@anthonydiviolla1944]

nice vids. keep up the great work

[@moon-audio]

Thanks, will do!

[@KillaHafiz89]

I'm trying to decide between the Focal Stellia and Sony Z1r. Help! I've never seen these 2 go head to head!

[@moon-audio]

The Focal Stellia a lot more detailed and has better imaging. The Sony MDR-Z1R is a much warmer and fun sound with a more boomy bass. Both are excellent, but in a few ways the Stellia outperforms the MDR-Z1R. That said the MDR-Z1R is the more budget friendly of the two.

[@KillaHafiz89]

@@moon-audio Ok, then Focal Stellia it is! I don't have a means to test run both headphones so I will probably purchase both and return the one I don't end up keeping! I appreciate the response!

[@StevenL717]

@@KillaHafiz89 which one you prefer in the end? Thx

[@bedroommusician6135]

Do you guys have another recommendation below 1k ? Celestee is just not it for me.

[@moon-audio]

Hi there! Depending on your listening preferences, you might want to consider the Dan Clark Aeon 2 or the Denon AH-D7200. Aeon 2: www.moon-audio.com/dan-clark-audio-aeon-2-closed-headphones.html AH-D7200: www.moon-audio.com/denon-ah-d7200-headphones.html For more info and recommendations, you can reach out to us here: www.moon-audio.com/contact-us

[@bedroommusician6135]

@@moon-audio I like listening to acoustic and vocal, sometimes pop-rock and edm. Do you have a recommendation for sweet and natural sounding for acoustic and vocal?

[@moon-audio]

@@bedroommusician6135 2 options at different price points would be either the Meze Liric, or Dan Clark AEON 2 or AEON 2 Noire. www.moon-audio.com/meze-liric-closed-back-headphone.html www.moon-audio.com/dan-clark-audio-aeon-2-closed-headphones.html www.moon-audio.com/aeon-2-noire-closed-headphones-by-dan-clark-audio-1.html?showHidden=true

[@bedroommusician6135]

@@moon-audio Thanks.

[@Vugar.Ahmadov]

Where is Focal Stellia? 😉

[@moon-audio]

Right here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpyxhYGifKeamLs 🙂

[@soulfulfool]

Open headphones is different story but closed back headphones got really good competition and I'm not even thinking about full sized headphones, simple as that IEM's of good quality can destroy them plenty. Dont get me wrong I love full sized headphones but recently IEM's market is evolving so fast that full sized headphones cant keep up their game. For example you can get Lyric for 2k$ or you can get IEM for 500$ with similar sound quality or just a tiny bit worse in most dramatic scenario better sound than Lyric :)

[@ornobislam5106]

The iem market is full of snake oil. Chinese brands experimenting with drivers. Buyers are experimenting with sound as well. I feel the consumers arent yet ready to use a product for years. Though there are some notabke innovations. That being said, the fit is an issue. No two iems fit the same. If you go custom iem, then can you get a perfect fit. Its difficult to wear an iem over long hours. Headphones are better for long term use.

[@liujun050612]

Have listened so many end game IEMs and I have to disagree. 500 dollar IEMs just can't compete Lyric or even Celestee. Not even close. Even 3k end game IEMs may only compete to 1k closed back, but not close to 3k end game closed back headphones. Example: empire ears odin vs focal Stellia. Due to its small shape, in the same price range, IEMs almost can't compete to full size headphones.

[@soulfulfool]

@@liujun050612 In bass area they can, probably only there

[@clickbaitpro]

I tried but I just don't like something inside my ears and even the on ears. Over ears are the most comfortable and immersive to me. I only use IEMs on the go but always feel like I was playing them too loud and gets frequently fatigued, I rolled the eartips but still they are on the uncomfortable side.

[@allansh828]

I strongly recommend Radiance over Celestee if you can still find it. Celestee sound more neutral but it’s soundstage is simply nonexistent.

[@admiralkhalifaalqubaisi3770]

That’s mostly in closed back headphone that’s the real difference between an open back & closed back thank you the 1000xm5 marvellously got both although it isn’t in those level

[@clickbaitpro]

@@admiralkhalifaalqubaisi3770 Yeah but some closed backs sounds more open than others

[@dimalisper5466]

Dan clark stealth best?

[@moon-audio]

There is no such thing as the Best of anything in Audio. It all comes down to personal preference and use. The Stealth is fantastic however! 🙂

[@dimalisper5466]

@@moon-audio Thank you. I bought these headphones but I don’t know which DAC will open them. Please advise

[@moon-audio]

@@dimalisper5466 There are a wide amount of options to consider. The iFi Diablo, A&K Kann Max, and the Naim uniti Atom are all excellent options for that headphone. For more personalized recommendations we recommend you reach out to you via our Contact Us form: www.moon-audio.com/contact-us

[@steveee2511]

just get the celestee these week

[@moon-audio]

Great choice! 🙂

[@FreshJ1v3]

Why explain the differance in closed back vs open back then hit me with a ton of techinal info? Aluminum and what dynamic balanced audiophile jargon?

[@moon-audio]

Sorry you found it confusing! If you'd like help deciding on a headphone, please reach out to us here: www.moon-audio.com/contact-us

[@squishypeanut42]

I feel like people looking up "best closed back headphones" aren't looking to spend 2500 dollars

[@O.G.LIL-MAN]

ah yes, you did a good job here...this is very very ASMR worthy review too, believe it or not!

[@moon-audio]

Thanks 🤗

[@Stallzyx]

I was following everything until you mentioned the different cables at the end... Kind of reminds me of manufacturers who sell really expensive HDMI cables and such but there could be some merits to different headphone cables. However how much I don't know unless we saw measurements

[@cognacbrown]

The TH900 Mk2 has poor sound isolation and quite a bit of sound leakage so it partially defeats why people want closed back. Otherwise it’s one of my favourite headphones. Oh the bass!

[@Zakuman87]

They are not closed back - they are semi closed back (fostex even has this info) so they can't be judged that they are not. Currently im thinking if i should switch pads on them

[@soulfulfool]

verite closed could easily win over any headphones in the line you have there, Stealth maybe could keep up but its planar so yea one thing do better other dynamics do better

[@jeffscalfano3100]

Wtf... I'm half way through this list and I'm LMAO. 1800 bucks for some headphones.