The best open-back headphones are a great choice for anyone looking to get a superior sound experience. Unlike closed-back headphones, open-back headphones allow air to pass through the earcups which helps create a more natural, spacious soundstage. This makes them ideal for listening to music, playing games and watching movies.
Open-back headphones also have less bass than closed-back headphones, making them better suited for classical and acoustic music genres. They provide an immersive listening experience that can truly transport you into the music or movie. Additionally, since they don’t block out external sound like their closed counterparts do, open-back headphones are perfect for studio mixing as they help isolate individual sounds in recordings more accurately. With all of these benefits, open-back headphones are a great choice for anyone looking to enhance their listening experience.
10 best open-back headphones
- Premium, around-ear, open back headphones: Audiophile sound combined with premium design and materials
- Padded headband and luxurious velour covered ear pads perfect for long listening sessions with no pressure on the ears
- Multiple connectivity options: Robust 3 meter detachable cable and 6.3 millimeter jack and additional 1.2 meter detachable cable with 3.5 millimeter Jack
- Timeless design cues: Ivory color, matte finish together with the brown headband stitching and matte metallic detail convey quality at first glance
- Premium Components: Sennheiser engineered transducers use aluminum voice coils delivering high efficiency, excellent dynamics and extremely low distortion
- Open over-ear headphones for Professional mixing, mastering, editing, and listening at home or in the studio
- Perfect for studio applications thanks to their transparent, spacious, strong bass and treble sound
- The soft, and replaceable velour ear pads ensure high wearing comfort
- Hard-wearing, durable and robust workmanship - made in Germany
- The world famous DT 990 PRO headphones deliver unmatched quality in sound reproduction at an incredible price. No matter your application, tracking, mixing, critical listening, even gaming, your DT 990's will deliver sound you can rely on - every time.
- All New Philips Shp9600 With The Perfect Blend Of Performance, Comfort, And Quality
- Open-Back Design With Spacious Sound. Ideal For Listening To Your Favorite Music Everyday At Home
- Perfectly Tuned 50 Mm Drivers Deliver Crisp Bass, Balanced Midrange, And Prstine High Frequencies.
- The Drivers Are Engineered To Fit The Ear'S Natural Geometry, Ensure No Detail Is Lost.
- Professional studio Reference semi-open headphones designed for tracking, mixing, mastering and playback.
- Proprietary large 50mm drivers with rare earth magnets deliver an extended frequency response and great dynamic range
- Circumaural, over-ear, design with velour cushioning provides outstanding comfort for long listening sessions
- Self-adjusting headband for optimal fit
- 1/4" Stereo Adapter included
- Newly designed 53 mm drivers with CCAW voice coils reproduce remarkably natural sound, with deep, impactful bass and outstanding vocal projection
- Open-air headphones produce no sense of pressure on the ears, resulting in a completely natural sensation
- Lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing
- Self-adjusting 3D Wing Support Housing provides comfortable support for a more enjoyable listening experience
- Flexible raised-fabric earpads offer excellent wearing comfort and durability
- Natural and accurate reference sound that reveals the truth in your music
- Lifelike depth and realism from open-back earcups that allow sound waves to expand naturally, New polymer-blend transducer membrane offers highly-linear excursion for superb control
- Wide soundstage from ergonomic acoustic refinement (e.a.r.) that tilts the drivers to the natural angle of your ears
- Extended low-end reach with gratifying presence for clear bass performance
- Connectivity technology: Wired
- Specially designed acoustic silk ensures precision damping over the entire frequency range and helps to reduce THD to an incredible 0.05 percent
- Improved frequency response is 10 39,500 Hertz ( 10 dB)
- Hand selected matched driver elements; Highly optimized magnet systems for minimum harmonic and inter modulation distortion
- High power neodymium magnets deliver maximum efficiency; 3.5 millimetre jack plug. Frequency response (Headphones):10 41000 Hz
- Lightweight aluminum voice coils for very fast transient response
- Superb wearing comfort
- Wide range of applications on all devices thanks to STELLAR.45 driver with an impedance of 48 ohms
- Hard-wearing, durable and robust workmanship
- Sustainable headphones – made in Germany
- Hi-res Audio Certified with extended response frequencies
- Engineered double layered ear-shells with pre-tilted speaker plates
- 50 mm high definition neodymium drivers with LMC diaphragm
- Acoustic open-back architecture
- Replaceable deluxe memory foam ear-pads with breathable velour finishing
- Professional studio headphones
- Semi-open
- 3 m replaceable cable
- Audio Interface type: Stereo plug – 3.5mm (1/8-inch) with 6.3 mm (1/4”) screw-on adapter
1. Sennheiser HD 660 S – These headphones feature a modern design, with an open-back system that allows for natural soundscape reproduction, alongside an impressive frequency response range of up to 10-41000 Hz and an efficient impedance of 150 ohms.
2. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro – This pair of open-back headphones is known for its high sound quality, great bass response and excellent spaciousness, making it the perfect choice for critical listening applications such as recording studios and mastering suites. The large ear cups provide plenty of comfort while the velour padding ensures optimum comfort even when worn for extended periods.
3. AKG K240 STUDIO – This classic model boasts a semi-open design and an incredibly wide frequency response range of 10-25000 Hz, making it a great choice for both professional and recreational use. The comfortable ear cups provide excellent sound isolation, while the self-adjusting headband ensures a perfect fit even after extended periods of use.
4. Audio Technica ATH-AD700X – This open-back model offers superior comfort and outstanding audio reproduction, thanks to its large 53 mm drivers and CCAW voice coils. Its frequency response range is also impressive at 5 – 30 000Hz, making it suitable for a variety of listening scenarios.
5. Philips SHP9500S – Boasting an open-back design and 50mm neodymium drivers, these headphones are a great option for anyone looking for clear, detailed sound. With a frequency response of 12-35000Hz and an impedance of 32ohms, these headphones offer outstanding audio clarity and depth.
6. AKG Pro Audio K712 – This open-back model offers superior comfort with its self-adjusting headband, while the large ear cups provide plenty of space to accommodate any size ear. The drivers feature a frequency response range from 10-39900 Hz and an impressive impedance of 62 ohms, ensuring high-quality sound reproduction at all levels.
7. Grado SR80e – Grado has been producing high quality headphones since 1953, and their SR80e is no exception. These open-back headphones offer an impressive frequency response range of 20-20000 Hz, along with comfortable ear cushions and a lightweight design.
8. Sennheiser HD 598 SR – These headphones feature an open-back design, a frequency response range of 12-38500 Hz and two powerful 50mm drivers that deliver crystal clear sound reproduction at all levels. The lightweight design offers plenty of comfort even during extended listening sessions.
9. Shure SRH840 – This pair is ideal for studio monitoring applications, thanks to its accurate sound reproduction, low distortion and impressive frequency response range from 5 -25000Hz. The large circumaural ear cups provide effective sound isolation while the adjustable headband ensures a perfect fit for even long periods of use.
10. Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro – This classic open-back design offers superior audio performance, thanks to its impressive frequency response range from 5-35000 Hz and an impedance of 250 ohms. The soft ear cushions provide plenty of comfort, while the adjustable headband ensures a secure fit even after long periods of use.
What are open-back headphones?
Open-back headphones have a design that allows air to pass through the back of the ear cups. This type of headphone is not completely sealed off like closed-back headphones, which creates a more natural, spacious soundstage and does not produce any echo or reverberation. Open-back headsets are often preferred for certain genres of music such as jazz, classical, and acoustic where you can appreciate the subtle nuances in instrumentation.
The downside to this type of headphone is that they leak sound both ways – so your music will be audible to those around you and outside noise may be able to interfere with your listening experience. Additionally, open-back headphones do not provide great noise isolation which could be an issue if you plan on using them in noisy environments. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference as some people may prefer the natural soundstage that open-back headphones provide or be more concerned about noise isolation and choose a closed-back pair instead.
No matter what type of headphone you decide is best for you, make sure that comfort and sound quality are your top priorities. Fortunately, many current models feature exceptional audio performance in both open and closed designs – so it just comes down to personal preference when deciding which type of headphone suits your needs!  It’s also important to consider how much sound leakage and noise isolation you require before making a purchase. That way, you can be sure to get the perfect set of headphones for your listening needs.
Do open back headphones really sound better?
Open back headphones are designed with a different purpose than their closed-back counterparts. Whereas closed-back headphones provide an isolating listening experience, open back headphones create a soundstage that more closely replicates the way sound is heard in real life.
This is because open back models allow sound to move freely between the inside and outside of the ear cups, instead of being completely trapped by a solid casing like on closed-back models. Because of this, open back headphones tend to have better soundstage properties, allowing listeners to pick up nuances in instruments and vocals they may not be able to hear with traditional sealed designs.
In terms of overall audio quality, open back headsets generally tend to offer superior performance compared to their closed-back counterparts. This is because open-back headphones provide a more natural and accurate sound reproduction, as opposed to the often tinny and muffled audio of closed back models. Open back headsets also tend to have better bass response and can provide a more immersive listening experience due to their wider frequency range.
Of course, this isn’t always the case, as there are other factors that come into play when determining the quality of an audio product. Things like construction materials, driver size, and even price can all affect how good or bad a pair of headphones sounds. Ultimately, though, open-back designs do tend to give listeners a more realistic and enjoyable musical experience compared with sealed models—so if you’re looking for high fidelity sound in your headphones, open back designs are definitely worth considering.
In summary, open back headphones typically provide an improved soundstage and more accurate audio reproduction compared to their closed-back counterparts. They may not always be the best choice for all listening situations, but they can offer a superior musical experience if you are looking for high fidelity sound in your headphones. So if you’re after a more immersive and realistic listening experience, open back headsets may be just what you need.
Why do audiophiles like open back headphones?
Open-back headphones are favored by audiophiles because they allow air to pass through the ear cups, which results in a more natural sound. The open back design also allows for more detail and a more accurate representation of the audio being played. Another benefit is that the air passing through can help reduce reverberation, meaning less distortion and better overall sound quality.
Open-back headphones are often preferred by musicians and studio engineers who need to hear every detail of their recordings without any coloration from closed-back models. Additionally, these headphones provide improved soundstage; an immersive experience with better spatial awareness that gives listeners a sense of “being there” when listening to music or watching movies. For these reasons, open-back headphones are considered superior for audiophile listening.
What is the downside of open ear headphones?
Open ear headphones can negatively affect hearing. Sound is not blocked out completely, and the volume of external noise is amplified, making it difficult to isolate the sound from your device or audio source. This can damage hearing as sounds you wouldn’t normally hear may be overly loud, especially if exposed for extended periods of time at higher volumes.
Additionally, due to the lack of insulation from outside noise, open ear headphones make it much easier for others nearby to overhear your conversations or music. Finally, open ear headphones can cause discomfort when worn over long periods of time due to their lack of padding and weight distribution across the ears. The feeling of pressure on only a few points in the outer ear that are constantly in contact with the speaker element can become uncomfortable.
In conclusion, open ear headphones can be a great choice for those who need to remain aware of their surroundings, but it is important to be conscious of the potential risk for hearing damage and discomfort. It may be wise to limit the use to short periods of time or at lower volumes if necessary. Being mindful of what you are listening to in public spaces is also important given that open ear headphones do not provide complete sound isolation from nearby sources.
Why do people want open-back headphones?
Open-back headphones are valued by many due to their superior sound quality. Open-back designs allow for more natural and expansive audio reproduction, as the drivers in open-back headphones are not blocked off from each other or the outside environment like closed-back models.
This helps create a more accurate soundstage; a wider, more immersive soundscape where instruments and sounds appear to be coming from different directions rather than all originating from the same spot inside your head. Additionally, because air can freely pass through the earcups of open-back headphones, they tend to have a less oppressive listening experience that allows you to hear ambient noise in addition to your music or gaming audio.
This makes them ideal for use in quiet environments such as libraries or home offices. Open-back headphones are also favored by many audiophiles and professional sound engineers, as they offer a more accurate monitoring experience when mixing or mastering audio. Finally, open-back designs tend to provide a more natural fit on the head and ears, making them comfortable for hours of use at a time. For these reasons, open-back headphones remain popular amongst those who value superior sound quality and comfort in their listening experience.
Do other people hear open-back headphones?
Open-back headphones are designed to allow more sound leakage than closed-back models, and so other people may hear some of the audio coming from these types of headphones. Depending on the model and design of the headphones, as well as how loud you have your music or audio playing, an open-back headphone can be heard from a few feet away or even further.
If you’re looking for privacy while listening to music, then closed-back headphones will be best suited for this purpose. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more natural sound experience with improved soundstage (the three dimensional placement of instruments and sounds in a recording) then open-back headphone designs may be worth considering. Ultimately it is important to consider your needs and preferences when choosing between open-back or closed-back headphones.
It is worth noting that if you are sharing the same room as someone else while wearing open-back headphones, then it’s best to be mindful of the volume levels to avoid disturbing those around you. It can also be helpful to use noise cancelling features on your audio device (where available) as this can help reduce sound leakage from open-back headphones even further.
Finally, if sound leakage is a major concern for you then consider using over-ear noise cancelling headphones which will provide both improved sound quality and privacy while listening to music or audio. Whatever type of headphone you decide on, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each design will help ensure that you make the best choice for your needs.
To sum up, it is possible that other people may hear some of the audio coming from open-back headphones depending on how loud the volume is and how far away they are standing. If you’re looking for privacy while listening to music then closed-back headphones will be a better option, whereas if you prefer improved soundstage or want a more natural sound experience then open-back headphones may be worth considering.
It can also help to use noise cancelling features (where available) and/or over-ear noise cancelling headphones in order to reduce sound leakage even further. Ultimately it is important to consider your own needs and preferences when choosing between open-back or closed-back headphone designs.
