Open-back vs closed-back for studio work — which should I buy?

Reviewers consistently frame it by use case: open-backs like the Sennheiser HD 650/HD 560S and Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X earn praise for soundstage and neutral mixing/critical-listening, but they leak sound and offer no isolation. Closed-backs like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and M20x are favored for tracking, recording and noisy environments where isolation matters. If you record with a live mic or commute, go closed; if you mix or listen critically in a quiet room, go open.