How is the sound leakage? l need portable headphones to use in the bus, library, and such. I don't want to bother people around me.
2069884
You would have to have them cranked pretty much all the way (or close) for sound to escape. it's much easier for external noises to be heard since these are not noise cancelling. I have used my set on airplanes, buses, trains, in all kinds of stores and not once have I have seen anyone and or been told anyone that they can hear my music.
2069885
I tested this, and the music had to be really loud (old-school jungle at 120% volume loud) for someone next to me in a quiet room to report hearing anything. This is not, importantly, because of anything like "noise cancellation" (which messes with the signals themselves) but simply good design; you will have to turn the music off before you take them off your head in a library, because they do project some sound otherwise. Also, if you live in a city in which being annoying on public transport is considered unacceptable, please send brochures
2069886
I had this experience at work the first couple weeks I owned them. I was listening to my music a bit too loud and someone would tap my shoulder to get my attention. When I took the headphones off I could hear them quite well, and apologized to my co-workers. They kept telling me they couldn't hear them until I took them off, but I had a hard time believing them. Finally one of them turned the sound all the way up, then put them on his head. I could _barely_ hear them at that level with no other noise in the office. Now I don't worry about my co-workers when I have the occasion to crank them up for a good song. I like these! I had this experience at work the first couple weeks I owned them. I was listening to my music a bit too loud and someone would tap my shoulder to get my attention. When I took the headphones off I could hear them quite well, and apologized to my co-workers. They kept telling me they couldn't hear them until I took them off, but I had a hard time believing them. Finally one of them turned the sound all the way up, then put them on his head. I could _barely_ hear them at that level with no other noise in the office. Now I don't worry about my co-workers when I have the occasion to crank them... » Read More I had this experience at work the first couple weeks I owned them. I was listening to my music a bit too loud and someone would tap my shoulder to get my attention. When I took the headphones off I could hear them quite well, and apologized to my co-workers. They kept telling me they couldn't hear them until I took them off, but I had a hard time believing them. Finally one of them turned the sound all the way up, then put them on his head. I could _barely_ hear them at that level with no other noise in the office. Now I don't worry about my co-workers when I have the occasion to crank them up for a good song. I like these! « Show Less
2069887
There is "sound leakage". At the moment, I have them hooked up to my computer. No special amplification, just on-board Realtek. At 75-100% volume, I can slightly hear them over ambient noise (such as my heater, which is kind of loud) while standing about ten feet away. I don't know if everyone else that answered this question listens to their music at low volume, or if their headphones have some insulation that mine doesn't but in my experience, there is plenty of "sound leakage". Also, you could actually use these as speakers while you're not wearing them. They wouldn't be loud enough to entertain anyone, but you could still listen to something while they sit on your desk. There is "sound leakage". At the moment, I have them hooked up to my computer. No special amplification, just on-board Realtek. At 75-100% volume, I can slightly hear them over ambient noise (such as my heater, which is kind of loud) while standing about ten feet away. I don't know if everyone else that answered this question listens to their music at low volume, or if their headphones have some insulation that mine doesn't but in my experience, there is plenty of "sound leakage". Also, you could actually use these as speakers while you're not wearing them. They wouldn't... » Read More There is "sound leakage". At the moment, I have them hooked up to my computer. No special amplification, just on-board Realtek. At 75-100% volume, I can slightly hear them over ambient noise (such as my heater, which is kind of loud) while standing about ten feet away. I don't know if everyone else that answered this question listens to their music at low volume, or if their headphones have some insulation that mine doesn't but in my experience, there is plenty of "sound leakage". Also, you could actually use these as speakers while you're not wearing them. They wouldn't be loud enough to entertain anyone, but you could still listen to something while they sit on your desk. « Show Less
2069888
I've had mine for years and they still have almost no leakage. In fact, they're so good about this that you can't even hear the sound while resting them around your neck unless you crank it all the way up. Makes them useless as "speakers" to share with friends, but that's not why I bought them.
2069889
Since my husband is the person who uses the headphones and I am in the same room with him, I can answer that question. There is NO sound leakage that I hear, and I believe that you could feel safe using them anywhere you want, and know that the sound is not being heard by others.
420417
I felt the headphone does not reach that level of volume. The max volume is actually decent and not very loud. I tried with iPhone 4, 4s, laptops with different media players. Stating this, I did not feel the sound leakage actually.
1860915
In my opinion the leakage will not be to loud.Having said that there is some leakage so if you want it to be silent these headphones are not the right choice.Edit...In regards to the DJ8 headphones, sorry but I have never heard them.
2104867
Mine's ok. I don't use them as my primary speakers though and I don't mind. I'd suggest getting some good portable speakers (possibly bluetooth...).
1192105
I didn't notice much leakage of sound. I tried the various ear plug sizes that come with the Brainwavz until I found the one that fitted most comfortably and blocked outside noise the best. Put it this way, if I am listening with the earphones and my wife call me I can't hear her! (She has to visually signal me) Hope this helps.
251176
I have used them on public transportation. They do a pretty good job of keeping room-level noise out (e.g. nearby conversations), but you'll hear louder noises like a train running through tunnels, etc. I think the noise suppression is fine but not remarkable.
131958
Hi JC the sound quality is not affected by the holder and you can be rest assured about that. We finally used some headphones as "The Wheels on the Bus " played repeatedly, did start to create an issue!!!!! I started hearing it in my sleep.
1248701
These are open back headphones so they leak quite a bit and let a lot of outside noise in. I don't recommend them for using in the library or on public transit. They are only for using in private places like home or a hotel room.
518115
Jonah, these are not noise cancelling head phones so it you're looking to shut yourself off from the world these are not for you. I feel like these were designed for the bast sound, and yeah you can turn it up so you can't hear anything from the outside world if you would like. There is some leakage when you have them turned up. I work next to a lady that pays way too much attention to everyone else and she can hear them when I have them about 75% up. These are meant for the pleasure of the listener.
1769715
Your welcome. Open headphones such as these HD555's have sort of a metal mesh grill on each outer side where the speakers are located, sort of like a boom box has on each speaker. On a boom box or stereo the speakers face out to let out the music, in the case of open headphones the speakers face the ear but air and sound is released through the metal grill. This is done so that the music has more room to develope more richly. Therefore some sound leaks out (its a good thing) but it allows people around you to hear what you are listening to. Closed headphones such as the HD202 do no have any metal grill on the sides, just closed plastic, therefore there is no sound leak, only you hear the music. Most people prefer to use open headphones at home for the great sound quality but others use the closed headphones outside and take a hit on the sound quality a bit because they don't want anyone to hear what they are listening to or they don't want to disturb anyone on planes or at work. Ipod earbuds are pretty bad earphones in my opinion and mostly only certain over the ear headphones are considered open and most in ear earphones are considered closed. These HD555's will destroy the ipod earbuds in sound quality, like night and day. Sennheiser is a very respected audio company, especially with audiophile people who love headphones and music. I hope that helped a bit.
129886
There might be some leakage. I know that other people say they can hear my music when I have the volume high. But not too bad though. These are pretty nice for the price, though. I'd buy them again for this price.
258609
There's some sound leak but it all depends how loud you listen to the music. Hope this helps
1860913
You will want closed headphones and to not crank them up. Open headphones will definately leak. I use AKG DJ headphones at the office and use these at Home where I can be loud.
28851
Hi NzoMD. I'd rate the sound leak about equivalent to the noise-cancelling. Pretty darn good but not 100%. I tested it by playing music with my laptop volume on max then the headphone volume on max, and the results left, in my opinion, "quiet" sounds.
644477
They are monitoring headphones for recording so their purpose really is not to block out sound. They provide true sound without too much bass. Also these are not closed earphones meaning they will not cup your ears kinda like the walkman headphones from the 90's that sit on your ears so Im pretty sure they will leak out the sound. I dont use them outside the house so I cannot vouch for how good these would be for commuters. If you dont record or play an instrument I would recommend you go for audio headphones instead of monitoring ones because you can certainly find some really awesome ones in the same price range. I hope this helps They are monitoring headphones for recording so their purpose really is not to block out sound. They provide true sound without too much bass. Also these are not closed earphones meaning they will not cup your ears kinda like the walkman headphones from the 90's that sit on your ears so Im pretty sure they will leak out the sound. I dont use them outside the house so I cannot vouch for how good these would be for commuters. If you dont record or play an instrument I would recommend you go for audio headphones instead of monitoring ones because you can certainly find some really awesome ones... » Read More They are monitoring headphones for recording so their purpose really is not to block out sound. They provide true sound without too much bass. Also these are not closed earphones meaning they will not cup your ears kinda like the walkman headphones from the 90's that sit on your ears so Im pretty sure they will leak out the sound. I dont use them outside the house so I cannot vouch for how good these would be for commuters. If you dont record or play an instrument I would recommend you go for audio headphones instead of monitoring ones because you can certainly find some really awesome ones in the same price range. I hope this helps « Show Less
2049655
I'm using this in a office environment and mine seem to leak a large amount of sound in comparison to both a low end Jabra C820S and high end BOSE QuietComfort 15.I dont know if mine are leaking out more than whats normal, for a closed back design I cannot understand how on earth they released something like this without insulting it better, and they want to compete for space against BOSE?, give me a break....Just my 2 cents though, they do sound amazing and the noise cancellation works well.
933981
It seems to me that there is minimal (if any) sound leakage from these headphones. I have been using them for about a year now in various environments and no one has ever indicated that they heard what I was listening to.