For jargon-busting advice, read our Headphone Guide.

When volume, power and performance are critical, you need a tough, durable closed-back headphone. These shut out environmental noise, allowing you to focus on your work and are also safer used close to open microphones, preventing nasty feedback. Closed-back headphones are also useful at home when you want to keep your music or TV sound shut-in to prevent disturbing nearby loved-ones.