Sharing your music tastes with coworkers or random people in a serene and reasonably quiet area like a workplace or a library may be unpleasant at best and impolite at worst. It may infringe on your privacy and disrupt the stillness that is clearly desired in such a circumstance. If you’ve ever been in a position like this, you’re undoubtedly using a headset that leaks sound. Have you ever thought about getting some headphones or earbuds that don’t leak sound?
When listening to music at a high level, headphones leak sound. With on-ear headphones, this is most evident. Noise-isolating headphones are constructed of sound-absorbing materials that absorb sound vibrations in the air to prevent sound leakage or music bleeding.
Your music experience, on the other hand, might be entirely destroyed if you have to listen to ambient noise such as the sound of an airplane or screaming children. Again, noise-isolating headphones can assist since they form a barrier around your ear, preventing outside noise from intruding and interfering with your music listening experience.
Although sound leakage cannot be totally avoided, it may be reduced to a very low degree. So, if you invest in a good pair of headphones that don’t leak sound, you may avoid humiliation while also improving your music listening experience. Here are our top 11 picks for the best headphones that don’t leak sound.
Best Headphones That Don’t Leak Sound
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Focal Listen Pro Closed-Back Headphones | Cables: 5 m coiled OFC and 1.4 m straight OFC cable. Audio Connector: 3.5 mm stereo jack socket and 6.35 mm stereo jack plug. Driver Size: 40 mm. Noise Cancellation Feature: Passive noise cancellation. Materials: Titanium. |
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Sony MDR-7506 | Type Of Headphones: over-ear Connectivity: Wired Driver Size: 40 mm. Noise Reduction: Passive Battery: Not applicable Driver Type: Dynamic |
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Shure SRH1540 | Type Of Headphones: Over-ear Connectivity: Wired Driver Size: 40 mm. Noise Reduction: Passive Battery: Not applicable Driver Type: Dynamic |
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Sennheiser HD 450BT
Key features
Type Of Headphones: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless
Driver Size: 32 mm.
Noise Reduction: Active
Battery: 30 hours
Driver Type: Dynamic
The Sennheiser HD 450BT maintains true to its roots by providing all of the essential features you’d expect from a set of noise-isolating headphones. Their closed-back design and synthetic leather paddings comfortably wrap the ears, blocking sound from entering or exiting. They’re also wireless, so they’re easy to transport!
The HD 450 BT can deliver balanced audio that will appeal to practically everyone’s musical preferences. Despite the fact that the design has an effect on the bass, these headphones come with the Smart Control software, which allows you to alter the EQ settings.
Furthermore, its lengthy battery life complements its superb audio performance. These deliver 30 hours of listening enjoyment, which is a pretty good deal.
The HD 450BT defies the preconception that excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) is only found in high-end headphones. While there is a little drop in sound quality when ANC is turned on, these headphones still sound better than other headphones in their price range.
Overall, the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones are great, with no audible sound leakage. Just keep in mind that the built-in microphone does not match the sound quality of the headphones. When on a call, the mic noise reduction isn’t great, and you may have to repeat what you need several times. However, they’re all well worth it in terms of price and performance.
JBL LIVE 400BT
Key features
Type Of Headphones: On-ear
Connectivity: Wireless
Driver Size: 40 mm.
Noise Reduction: Passive
Battery: 30 hours
Driver Type: Dynamic
The JBL LIVE 400 BT is a set of wireless headphones with a sturdy design and a low-weight construction. In comparison to other headphones in their price range, they’re not as bulky. In addition, despite the high noise isolation, they allow for increased airflow.
They are, however, on-ear headphones, which means they aren’t very excellent at blocking out outside sounds. Despite this, they have very little sound leakage, so you may experiment with increasing the volume to block out ambient noise without bothering others.
While listening to loud music for lengthy periods of time might help with noise management, it can also cause irreversible hearing impairment. So go easy on yourself!
The 40 mm drivers may provide a pleasing v-shaped sound. The JBL Live 400 BT is clearly aimed at the lower end of the market. The middle frequencies, on the other hand, are nice and clear. The highs, on the other hand, are rather brilliant. While the instrumentals aren’t affected as much as the voices, the vocals might sound harsh.
Fortunately, JBL has created its own software to correct the voices’ relative roughness. The inbuilt EQ in the My JBL Headphones app can be tweaked to fix some issues in the upper frequencies.
Skullcandy Sesh Evo
Key features
Type Of Headphones: True wireless in-ear
Connectivity: Wireless
Driver Size: 6 mm
Battery: 5 hours
Driver Type: Dynamic
We recommend the Skullcandy Sesh Evo headphones if you’re on a small budget but still want earbuds that don’t leak sound.
It comes in a range of colors and includes three pairs of complementary ear tips in various sizes (small, medium, and large) to fit various ear types. This selection aids in the reduction of sound leakage by allowing you to discover the best-fitting ear tips for you.
Rich, enhanced bass is matched by sharp highs with these IEMs. The medium-range, on the other hand, is merely mediocre at best. Regardless, we think the overall sound of these IEMs is noteworthy!
As a result, the Skullcandy Sesh Evo is best suited for music, podcasts, and movies. They are also highly suggested for gym-goers because of their bass. Not only do they offer great sound, but they are also earbuds with the least sound leakage.
The Sesh Evo is an enhanced version of the Skullcandy Sesh, as you may have guessed. They share the majority of characteristics; however, they differ in a few. Sesh Evo’s charging case, for example, allows wireless charging. Similarly, the Sesh Evo’s battery lasts 5 hours longer.
When touching the multi-function buttons on the Sesh Evo, however, the ear tips tend to go deeper in your ears. This may cause some people to feel uneasy. Fortunately, the Sesh Evo IEMs are light and breathable, compensating for the issues. If you are looking for a good pair of earbuds with the least sound leakage, this is a great choice.
Sony MDR-7506
Key features
Type Of Headphones: over-ear
Connectivity: Wired
Driver Size: 40 mm.
Noise Reduction: Passive
Battery: Not applicable
Driver Type: Dynamic
The Sony MDR-7506 is one of the most affordable wired headphones available. They’re living proof that a cheap price tag doesn’t always imply a set of bad-quality headphones.
The frequency range sounds balanced, as expected. No matter what musical genre is performed, the 40 mm dynamic headphone drivers produce above-average sounds. The mids and highs are somewhat emphasized, and the bass is merely mediocre at best. However, this has little effect on the overall sound quality.
The MDR-7506 is more suited to home/studio use due to the coiled cords. Because they prevent sound bleeds during recording, they are highly recommended for YouTube video makers and podcasters. This is a good option for aspiring sound professionals who are looking for the best noise-isolating earbuds or headphones at a reasonable price.
While the sound quality is outstanding, the low price comes at the expense of the materials utilized. The synthetic leather cushioning is prone to peeling over time. The good news is that their parts are simple to repair, and the replacements available are still reasonably priced.
The Sony MDR-7506 is a worthwhile investment. If you can get beyond the small drawbacks, you’ll have a fine pair of wired headphones for usage at home or in the studio. These can easily rival their more expensive competitors in terms of sound.
Shure SE846 BT2
Key features
Type Of Headphones: In-ear, neckband
Connectivity: Wireless
Driver Size: not specified
Noise Reduction: Passive
Battery: 9 hours
Driver Type: 4x balanced armature
The Shure SE846 BT2 is, without a doubt, one of the best earbuds with the least sound leakage. And for a good reason: they’re incredibly tough, especially when made of a material with military applications (Kevlar).
To justify the price, the SE846 has a good sonic performance. While most IEMs struggle with bass, the Shure SE846’s sub-bass response is exceptional, and the midbass is as impressive. When necessary, it may bring out the full bass without dominating the other frequencies.
Their middle frequencies bring out more detail in the tunes while maintaining sharp, clear voices. The highs are also good, keeping up with the other frequencies while allowing the treble range to show through.
Because the SE846 is a set of in-ear monitors, it can filter out most external noises while also avoiding sound leakage better than certain closed-ear headphones. They also come with a range of ear tip kinds and sizes, ensuring that no discernible sound leaking occurs even at greater volume levels.
The Shure SE846 are excellent in-ear monitors for daily usage. They are ideal for persons who commute regularly and demand acoustic privacy. If money isn’t a concern, the SE846 will give you the best experience.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Key features
Type Of Headphones: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless
Driver Size: 40 mm.
Noise Reduction: Active
Battery: 30 hours
Driver Type: Dynamic
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is your best option if you’re searching for a pair of no sound leak headphones with the finest ANC capabilities. Both active and passive noise reduction are well-balanced in these headphones. As a result, they efficiently block outside noise while keeping the music from the headphones from escaping.
The WH-1000XM4 supports Bluetooth Multipoint in addition to Bluetooth 5.0. Listeners can use this functionality to connect to several Bluetooth devices at the same time. The option to auto-pause is also a welcome addition. If the headphones are removed, it senses this right away.
In the sound section, the list of features continues. These headphones have a wide sound stage and can generate rich, detailed sound.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is essentially an enhanced version of the Sony WH-1000XM3. Physically, the two are almost identical. The WH-1000M4, on the other hand, offers bigger ear cups and greater ANC. Furthermore, the WH-1000XM4 is the only device with Bluetooth Multipoint technology.
Long commutes and plane travel are made easier with the Sony WH-1000XM4. Just keep in mind that its Bluetooth Multipoint features will only operate if the source device has the appropriate codec (AAC Bluetooth codec).
Shure SRH1540
Key features
Type Of Headphones: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wired
Driver Size: 40 mm.
Noise Reduction: Passive
Battery: Not applicable
Driver Type: Dynamic
The Shure SRH1540 is rated as the best for studio recording for a reason. While passive, its noise isolation surpasses that of any other product in its price range. The combination of design, materials, and fit results in a pair of headphones with no sound leakage.
The SRH1540’s ear cups are large but not bulky, which is the first thing you’ll notice. Even for persons with large ears, this aids in the creation of a good seal.
The entire design of the Shure SRH1540 is also remarkable, both in terms of appearance and performance. The ear cushions are made of Alcantara, which is the same material as most automobile seats and is both durable and comfy.
Furthermore, the SRH1540 has a solid yet balanced sound that works well with both instrumentals and vocals. The bass is punchy but not to the point of overpowering the other tones. In neutral listening, the SRH1540 shines brightest.
The Shure SRH1540’s level of noise isolation is ideal for sound professionals and musicians seeking the best headphones that don’t leak sound. The sole disadvantage is that it is not portable. Even when folded, the Shure SRH1540 is a bit of a pain to transport.
Bowers & Wilkins PX
Key features
Type Of Headphones: Over-ear
Connectivity: Wireless
Driver Size: 43.6 mm.
Noise Reduction: Active
Battery: 22 hours
Driver Type: Dynamic
The Bowers & Wilkins PX is the company’s first attempt at making wireless headphones, and it was a success. Unlike other over-ear headphones, their strong structure is balanced by lightweight materials, making them more portable.
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) is a renowned manufacturer of high-end loudspeakers and wired headphones. The B&W PX keeps the tradition going by employing drivers from B&W’s higher-end trademark headphones. The B&W PX was able to produce great sound as a result of this.
The B&W PX covers a lot of ground in order to deliver the greatest possible user experience. With its ANC, the B&W Headphone app allows for some customization. Depending on your needs or preferences, you may opt to allow some ambient noise to pass through using this app.
A proximity sensor is also included, which immediately ceases the music when the B&W PX is removed.
A wealth of features, mobility, and good ANC combine to make this a worthwhile investment if you want no sound leak headphones. The only drawback we can find is that the B&W PX is a little weighty (11.8 oz. or roughly a third of a kilo). With continuous usage, the weight may cause some pain, but not enough to put off audiophiles, casual listeners, and everyone in between.
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30
Key features
Noise Control: Hybrid active noise canceling.
Battery Capacity: 720 mAh.
USB Cable Type: USB-C.
Impedance: 16 ohms.
Driver: 40 mm dynamic.
The Anker Life Q30 is an excellent headset for music lovers. The budget-friendly headset has all of the features that everyone appreciates. The sound profile of these headphones is the most remarkable feature. Their big drivers and silk diaphragms deliver crisp treble and powerful bass. You may also modify the EQ or use a preset from the Soundcore App.
The wide frequency response range, on the other hand, is ideal for listening to various types of music. You may even practice electric guitar with high-quality sound. You’ll also be pleased with their soundstage, which is rather good. These headphones are perfect for listening to lively music.
The Life Q30 is made of lightweight materials for all-day comfort, making it a great choice if you are looking for the best noise-isolating earbuds or headphones. Furthermore, their earcup may be rotated. They can adapt to your head’s shape. If you’re on a limited budget right now, this Soundcore headset is an excellent choice. Both you and your wallet will be pleased!!
Focal Listen Pro Closed-Back Headphones
Key features
Cables: 5 m coiled OFC and 1.4 m straight OFC cable.
Audio Connector: 3.5 mm stereo jack socket and 6.35 mm stereo jack plug.
Driver Size: 40 mm.
Noise Cancellation Feature: Passive noise cancellation.
Materials: Titanium.
These headphones are designed for professional use by a well-known French manufacturer. The titanium-coated 40 mm drivers deliver strong and clean sound. Furthermore, its large ear cushioning provides a soundproof and pleasant listening experience for long periods of time. The headband’s silicone layer maintains a uniform gripping force over the head.
The Focal Listen Pro, unlike the JBL Under Armour Sport Wireless Train, is only available in wired mode. They are, however, extremely compatible with any smartphone due to their low impedance. They’re compatible with PCs, laptops, tablets, and other devices. Their universal remote and omnidirectional microphone will also appeal to you.
In addition to this, the 5 m long cable gives excellent mobility. In terms of sound, the focused headphone, like semi-open headphones, may provide a highly energetic sound. As it’s a closed-back headphone, you’ll also benefit from the isolation. As a result, it’s essentially a two-in-one headset. Because of the ear-cushion size, you may enjoy perfect tonal balance with the Focal Listen Pro. The well-balanced tone allows for a pleasing bass and excellent lower-midrange.
Furthermore, microfiber has a higher acoustic output. As a result, the headphones are an ideal choice for everyday listening. So don’t be concerned about your budget. The performance will not disappoint you.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm
Key features
Impedance: 80 Ohms.
Sound Pressure Level: 105 dB.
Sound Coupling To The Ear: Circumaural.Audio Connector: 3.5 mm mini-jack plug and 6.3 mm adapter.
The DT 770 Pro is a good headset for both studio and casual listening if you are in search of the best noise-isolating earbuds or headphones. The headphones can match your audiophile demands within a reasonable budget. In general, the DT 770 Pro 80 Ohms are ideal for usage inside. They’ve been designed specifically for critical listening, tracking, mixing, and other tasks.
Unfortunately, they cannot be folded in any way. As a result, they are not as portable as the Focal Listen Pro. They come with a minimal pouch that merely serves to protect them from scratches. As a result, carrying them is difficult. However, you may rest assured that they will last.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 is designed for long-term use. Accidental drops won’t be a problem because of the durable construction. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro’s components are also all interchangeable.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is ideal for drummers and front-of-house applications. The ambient noise isolation of up to 35 dBA is provided by the soft skin ear cups and strengthened spring clasp. Their stability is excellent too. They are not suited for exercise, but they will not slip off your head in other situations.
If you’re looking for an excellent audiophile headset on a budget, this is a fantastic option.
If you are an AirPods user and are not interested in getting earbuds that don’t leak sound, then first check out our article:
On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend money on new headphones and simply want to fix the ones you already have, read:
Conclusion
Sound leaking can be annoying at times; to avoid this, pick the correct headphones, which are built for Over-Ear and Closed-Back headphone types. Check whether the headphones include a Noise-Isolation feature, which blocks all outside disturbances and prevents them from spreading.
It’s worth noting that certain ANC headphones won’t let you hear the music in its natural flow. More lifelike tones are provided by headphones that leak noises. This is very dependent on the type of headphones you have.
If you’re going to wear them for a long period, make sure they’re comfortable, so your ears don’t hurt. The sound leaking isn’t as awful as it appears, but you now know what to watch for if you want some privacy.
