Open-back headphones are unique from other headphones because the design allows a better soundstage experience, also rich in bass sound quality. Moreover, the vents on the earcups enable air to get in and out so that the sound can leak in and out, creating more natural sound. However, these headphones are not for noisy environments like closed-back ones. But it’s useful somehow in producing the music industry. Please learn more about the brands that suit you in our review today!
What is the point of open-back headphones?
If you look at the design, it’s almost the same as closed-back headphones, but the difference is they have vents to allow air to get in and out. This design makes the sound more natural and good in stereo imaging. Particularly these headphones used by music producers and audio engineers provide more accuracy and detail in sound quality. Find out more about the benefits and key features of these headphones below.
1. Sennheiser HD 800 S
Sennheiser HD 800 S is the world-class open-back headphones that provide excellent sound quality and immersive sound that would shock you. The brand that professionals trust and suggest to other people about the quality and the performance. The design differs from different brands, with the 56mm Ring Radiator dynamic transducer system providing clear and detailed natural sound.
Key Features
- Noise cancelling: No
- Connector: 6.35 mm jack plug and 4.4 mm jack plug
- Cable length: 3 meters
- Weight: 330 g
- Frequency response: 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 102 dB (1 V)
- Impedance: 300 Ω
- Driver: 42 mm dynamic
Design:
- Style: over-ear, open-back headphones
- Cable: detachable cable
- Earcups: allow air to go through in and out to reduce heat and provide natural sound
- Ear cushions: the pads are extremely soft and made of microfiber padding, providing comfort to your ear
- Headband: strong and secure with adjustable hand to customize the fit
- Connectivity: able to connect both 6.35 mm jack plug and 4.4 mm jack plug
Performance:
- Soundstage: offer an excellent instrument separation, making it easy to distinguish between different sounds and instruments
- Frequency response: 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz, great in low, mid, and high tones correctly
- Sound quality: excellent sound quality, provide high-fidelity sound even though it has a common bass response
- Resolution: great performance and deliver clear sound, and make you lost in the music
- Bass response: limit controlled with great extension and naturally
- Treble: sounds great, not really hash and detail.
Pros:
- Premium look
- Excellent sound quality
- High resolution
Cons:
- Average bass sound
Pricing:
Available in stock at the price of USD 1799.95 at Amazon.
2. Sennheiser HD 600
Sennheiser HD 600 is a great open-back headphone that you should consider; it is designed for audiophiles and music enthusiasts who prefer exceptional sound quality and great performance. Furthermore, most audio professionals recommended this brand because it has natural sound and accuracy. Plus, it’s super comfortable and won’t pressure your head.
Key Features
- Connector: 3.5 mm stereo jack plug
- Cable length: 3 m
- Weight: 260 g
- Frequency response: 12 Hz – 40,500 Hz
- Sensitivity: 102 dB SPL/V
- Impedance: 300 Ω
- Driver: 42 mm dynamic
Design:
- Style: open-back headphone
- Earcups: the acoustic silk can control airflow well so that it provides more natural sound quality
- Headband: has sponge under the headband, easy to wear, adjustable, and durable for a customized fit.
- Ear cushions: super soft cushion foam provide comfort to wear in long hours
- Connectivity: the cable length is 3 meters, long enough for your movement without losing connection. Also, they are replaceable.
Performance:
- Frequency response: 12 – 40,500 Hz with low harmonic distortion for clean and clear sound.
- Sound quality: impressive sound quality compared to others headphones, but the bass sound is still limited.
- Bass Response: light bass response, but for some reason, it’s average compared to other headphones.
- Soundstage: great sound performance; it’s detailed and deep in sound
Pros:
- Great sound quality
- Replace cable easily
Cons:
- No noise cancelling
- Light bass
- Leak sound
Pricing:
Available in stock at the price of USD 299.00 at Amazon.
3. Audeze LCD-X
You can feel the quality and performance of the design of the headphones. These open-back headphones provide a great natural soundstage and are designed for professional audiophiles to produce music with such quality sound. Moreover, they easily connect with wide audio devices such as high-end audio players, amplifiers, and DACs. These headphones stand well in the market due to their brilliant and useful features.
Key Features
- Inputs: 1/4″ (6.35mm)
- Connection: wired
- Sensitivity: 103 dB/1mW
- Impedance: 20 Ω
- Cable length: 1.9 meter
- Weight: 612g
Design:
- Style: over-ear, open-back headphones
- Transducer: Planar Magnetic
- Earcups: classic matte black, and the vent is for air to get in and out
- Ear cushions: made from lambskin, which makes them comfortable and friendly looks
- Headband: made of premium leather, quite heavy, tho, but it’s comfortable even if you wear it for an extended period, but the wood here is very durable and robust.
- Connectivity: compatible with any genre
Performance:
- Sensitivity: it has 101 dB that can drive audio sources
- Frequency response: 10Hz – 50kHz, more comprehensive than other headphones, which provide better sound quality.
- Sound quality: impressive quality, balance, detail, and accurate sound in reproduction.
- Soundstage: separates the instrument sound well, easy to recognize and distinguish different sound
- Distortion: produced the sound without any unwanted artifacts.
- Planar Magnetic Drivers: the large diaphragm area in the field offers less distortion and better sound quality.
- Imaging: Perfectly for gaming, the soundstage provides an immersive experience in open-world games.
Pros:
- Great in imaging
- Classic looks
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Require Amplifier
- a bit heavy
- limited ANC
Pricing:
Available in stock at the price of USD 1,199.00 at Amazon.
4. beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
This open-back headphone is designed for the studio to produce and provide the best sound quality in music. This is a great investment in headphones for the music production field because it’s great for critical listening, mixing, and mastering. And design provides comfort to wear in long hours without any pressure.
Key Features
-
- Input: ¼ “adapter (6.35 mm)
- Connection: wired
- Sensitivity: 96 dB
- Frequency response: 5 – 35.000 Hz
- Impedance: 250 Ω
- Cable length: 3 meter
- Weight: 250g
Design:
- Style: over-ear, open-back headphones
- Earcups: made of plastic, and the vent allows air to go through and provide a natural sound.
- Ear cushions: made of high-quality materials foam, soft and extremely cozy over your ear
- Headband: lightweight and durable, convenient to customize the length
- Cable: replaceable cable
- Connectivity: the high impedance allows to connect with a wide range of devices
Performance:
- Bass response: Great sound in bass response
- Frequency response: it has 5 – 35.000 Hz that produces a high range of audio frequency with noticeable accuracy
- Soundstage: impressive soundstage sound, meaning they are balanced and detail
- Sound quality: extremely high resolution and very transparency sound, which make them the mater in studio
Pros:
- Stable and well fit
- perfect for audio production
Cons:
- Not portable
- No noise cancellation
- Leak sound outside the headphone
Pricing:
Available in stock at the price of USD 139.00 at Amazon.
5. Philips SHP9600
Philips is the brand that everyone knows, especially on electronic devices. These are the open-back headphones that they invented for reproducing music. The design is quite premium and has average performance, which is acceptable. in terms of pricing, this headphone is naffordable, and you can find it on Amazon.
Key Features
- Driver: 50 mm dynamic
- Cable: 3 meter
- Connection: wired
- Frequency response: 6 – 35,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ω
- Sensitivity: 102 dB (1K Hz)
Design:
- Style: over-ear, open-back headphones
- Earcups: the vent allows air to go in and out, with a matte black finished look
- Ear cushions: soft like a pillow and comfort your ear
- Headband: durable and adjustable length suitable for everyone
- Connectivity: capable with 3.5 mm jack plug
Performance:
- Sensitivity: 102 dB makes them easy to drive even connected with low device
- Frequency response: it has a frequency response range between 6 – 35,000 Hz that produces great sound quality
- Sound quality: excellent imaging and sound separation between vocals and instruments. Natural and immersive sound experiences.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Trustworthy brand
- Great in jazz, classical music
Cons:
- No noise isolation
- Cannot use outside of the room due to leak sound in the headphone
Pricing:
Available in stock at the price of USD 69.99 at Amazon.
6. Philips Fidelio X2HR
A great high-resolution open-back headphone that can use at home. Also, this is a wireless headphone, which is convenient and easy to use. Furthermore, the ear cushion and headband design make you feel light and comfortable without pressure. It’s similar to the model above, but this model has more features and greater performance.
Key Features
- Driver: 50 mm dynamic
- Input: 3. 5Mm Stereo; 1/4-Inch
- Connection: Wireless
- Frequency response: 5 – 40 000 Hz
- Impedance: 30 Ω
- Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1mW
Design:
- Style: over-ear, open-back headphones
- Earcups: acoustic open-back allows air to go through and deliver natural and rich sound
- Ear cushions: made from quality memory foam materials
- Headband: has two layers; one layer is breathable for your head, and the other one is durable and adjustable hand
- Earshells: the unique feature that has two layers that reduce resonance and vibration, provide sound in detail, and are great for producing music at home
Performance:
- Sensitivity: with 100 dB make, they are easy to drive even connected with low devices such as phones, iPad, etc.
- Frequency response: has the range between 5 Hz and 40 000 Hz
- Sound quality: high-resolution audio sound quality comes from 50 mm dynamic drivers, rich in bass sound and well balanced
Pros:
- Well balanced sound
- Premium looks
- Extremely comfortable
Cons:
- Leak sound through headphones
- No ANC
Pricing:
Available in stock at the price of USD 144.99 at Amazon.
7. HIFIMAN HE 400 SE
Hifiman has won many awards for producing great, sound-quality headphones.
Key Features
- Driver: 50 mm dynamic
- Input: 6.35 mm jack plug
- Connection: Wireless
- Frequency response: 20 – 20 000 Hz
- Impedance: 25 Ω
- Sensitivity: 91 dB @ 1mW
- Weight: 390g
Design:
- Style: over-ear, open-back headphones
- Earcups: designed to cover up the ears and has a vent for air to go through to create natural sound
- Ear cushions: made of memory foam which is super soft and comfortable
- Headband: made of metal, strong and durable
Performance:
- Frequency response: between 20 – 20 000 Hz, providing quality in low, mid, and high sound.
- Sound quality: acceptable sound quality; it’s clear, balanced, and detailed in sound
- Imaging: perfect for gaming, great for the action game
- Bass response: the quality of bass start to drop when it peaks at 40Hz
-
Soundstage: the driver is designed for not stage, so it’s limited for the soundstage
Pros:
- Great imaging
- Class-leading resolution
Cons:
- Rolloff sub-bass
- Small staging
Pricing:
Available in stock at the price of USD 109.00 at Amazon.
Tips For Choosing Open-Back Headphones
Buying Open-back headphones can be difficult because many brands are in the market. But trust us that we only pick the best brands that offer quality and premium design for you. We will provide some tips for you before you decide to choose. First, you must look for sound quality and frequency response that suits your preference. Moreover, the weight of headphones and earcups should be lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
Furthermore, you might look for impedance; this feature allows you to get better sound quality. However, you might already have budgets in mind, so consider the most suitable for yourself because the models we pick above have both quality and affordable prices.
