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Closed back headphones and Focal

Hey folks, I am beginning to research closed back headphones. My primary use will be when family is still awake and sharing space so that speakers are off limits while the sound infiltration from my open backs is Less pleasurable .  Secondarily, if I find a good sounding set of cans that do well at passive isolation, I might consider them over ANC for travel. 
I also have an opportunity for a tremendous deal on the Focal Stellia. Does anyone have experience with them or suggestions for other closed back headphones?
dramatictenor
dramatictenor OP
183 posts
 
Keep their sounds out
erik_squires
16,118 posts
 
I haven't been successful in finding closed back headphones I really liked that much.

I've had good luck with open back, and IEMs, and found the ESS hybrid closed-back headphones decent compromises, but really little I felt worth high end dollars. Might want to look into the Audio Technica and Sony line too.
big_greg
6,639 posts
 
I have not heard the Stellia, but own the Focal Elex and have heard the Utopia.  The Elex are one of my favorites, but are not closed back. 

Of the closed back headphones I own, the Sony MDR-Z1R are my favorites.  They sound almost as good as my LCD-4 and are super comfortable.  The LCD-XC is also a very nice closed back headphone, but they are pretty heavy.  

Obviously the best thing you can do is go audition some different headphones, but I realize that's not always easy.  Check out Head-fi.org and innerfidelity.com for lots of reviews.
dramatictenor OP
183 posts
 
Well I can audition but there are things that become clearer after someone has lived with them for a while. I spent a long time deciding on my current open can, between a Grado I loved but found uncomfortable, and some super comfortable HD660s—so I saved 700 and use them a good bit, and enjoy their accuracy but the “veiling” that they had compared to the Grados remains a weak point of the phones. 
I am hoping to avoid a similar dilemma. That’s part of the back story. 
chayro
2,995 posts
 
Being used to the Grado 1000's, I never liked any closed-backed phones until I tried the Oppo.  I have the PM-3s and they are really nice IMO.  They're not made anymore, but I do see them, as well as PM-2's and PM-1's up for sale.  Some are asking very high prices, but not all.  
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