Open back headphone sound level

[Ianb262]

I am thinking of picking up the Sennheiser 598 Special Editions. I noticed they were open backs and I am used to closed backs.
How much sound actually leaks from the back, and if I have my music high can other people hear it if they are in another room. I don't listen to music in public so that's not an issue.


Thanks

 

[ssddx]

in another room? not very likely.

take your current cans. crank up the music on them while they are sitting on the desk away from your head. that level or a bit less is what people near you will hear if pushing the same volume through open cans.

in other words, generally people sitting right next to you will hear you with the volume very loud but 5-10 feet away generally not unless you're in need of going deaf. outside the room, certainly not.

sennheiser hd598c is a closed version if you absolutely need a closed can. the 598se is a good set of multi-use cans though and will fill many roles.

 

[Ianb262]

in another room? not very likely.

take your current cans. crank up the music on them while they are sitting on the desk away from your head. that level or a bit less is what people near you will hear if pushing the same volume through open cans.

in other words, generally people sitting right next to you will hear you with the volume very loud but 5-10 feet away generally not unless you're in need of going deaf. outside the room, certainly not.

sennheiser hd598c is a closed version if you absolutely need a closed can. the 598se is a good set of multi-use cans though and will fill many roles.

Thanks for the help. Is there any significant difference between the closed and open sound wise? which one will sound better in your opinion. I mostly listen to electronic music and sometimes play games. Thanks

 

[ssddx]

the open version will have more soundstage. this benefits games as it gives more spatial depth to sound. think of it like how you can hear sounds coming from different distances away vs all just coming at you at once (example of really wide soundstage vs really small). the 598 has a medium sized soundstage. not sue about the closed version but its certainly less than the open one.

closed cans generally have less soundstage and often are a bit more bassy. this follows true with the se vs c versions. the 598c will be a little more bassy but with less soundstage than the 598se.

i use a bassy closed can with extremely small soundstage myself (m50) though it suits my needs fine. the closed design doesnt bother people nearby (leakage is important in my case), they are bassy which i like, portable and the small soundstage really never bothered me (though all sound appears to generate right next to my ears with no really difference in distance). i think it makes sound appear more intimate and close/exciting but someone else might have a differing opinion. i do not game on them.

i think the 598se is a better general use can unless you have need of something closed or wanted a bit more bass and dont care as much about soundstage.