The choice between an open-back headphone such as a Hifiman model and a closed-back headphone like the ULTRASONE Founders Series depends greatly on personal preferences and the requirements for a satisfying listening experience at low volume levels.
Open-back headphones typically offer a very airy and spacious soundstage. High-quality open headphones can reproduce details very well even at low volumes, as they often have a very neutral sound signature. However, since open headphones provide no isolation from environmental noise, it can be difficult to enjoy quiet music unless the surroundings are completely silent. In addition, at lower listening levels the bass may appear less present, as open headphones often have a lighter bass response.
Closed-back headphones, on the other hand, provide better isolation from external noise, which makes listening at lower volumes easier—especially when there are ambient sounds, even if they are relatively quiet. Closed headphones also tend to have a stronger and more impactful bass, which can be advantageous at low listening levels because the bass remains clearly perceptible.
With ULTRASONE, the soundstage is significantly wider and more detailed thanks to S-Logic than with many open models, which for some listeners may otherwise produce a more limited sound image. The Founders Series is known for its distinctive sonic character, delivering an immersive listening experience even at lower volume levels.
My opinion on this:
My personal favorites have always been closed-back headphones—possibly because in the past I often found the hissing character of some open headphones to be rather annoying. In addition, our immersive S-Logic system becomes even more pronounced in a closed design.
A closed headphone almost always delivers the purer sound, because the outside world is rarely completely silent. And with the right technology, they come with almost nothing but advantages.
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