Best Open-back Headphones under $300

7 Best Open-Back Headphones Under $300 (2023)

7 Best Open-Back Headphones Under $300 (2023)

Have you considered the advantages of open-back headphones? The time is right to learn about open-back headphones, how they work, and what the best ones are under $300.

Most headphones you’ve likely used before have a conventional closed-back design, with the ear cups made of solid material like plastic or metal. Using your headphones in public places like a plane or office may be convenient, but it can cause muddied audio and instrument overlap as if you are in a closed closet listening to music.

In open-back headphones, perforated earcups allow sound to flow through and combine with the surrounding space. Despite not being ideal for loud environments, open-back headphones are excellent for listening to classical or acoustic music at home.

Open-back headphones under $300 are available from Philips, Sennheiser, and Beyerdynamic. These headphones are an excellent investment for music lovers and audiophiles alike.

1. Philips Fidelio X2HR/27 open back headphones

Best Open-back Headphones under $300

The Philips Fidelio X2HR wired open-back headphones offer neutral sound listening with a well-balanced sound profile, suitable for various genres and content. However, some tracks may appear piercing or dull to some listeners. These headphones feature large, well-padded ear cups and an automatically-adjusting headband, providing comfortable wear for extended periods. Remember that they are not versatile since they don’t block out background noise or have a microphone. Nonetheless, they have a premium and sleek appearance.

Key Features

  • Noise cancellation: No
  • Transparency: Yes
  • Driver: 50 mm dynamic
  • Connection: Jack 3.5mm / USB-C®
  • Frequency response: 5 Hz – 40,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 30 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1mW
  • Weight: 380g

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 good quality comes from 50 mm dynamic drivers, rich in bass sound and well balanced
  • Rational profile: offer a highly accurate and flat proper profile that works well for various genres and content
  • Treble: the range remains correct and has excellent accuracy, but the high-treble range is recessed, leading to some music sounding lifeless and lacking detail.

Pros:

  • Great sound profile
  • Premium quality
  • Super comfortable

Cons:

  • No noise isolation

Pricing:

Available on Amazon at the price of USD 148.99

2. Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X

Best Open-back Headphones under $300

The Audio Technica ATH-AD700X Headphones would be our second pick if soundstage likability were the basis for headphone selection. When you wear them, you’ll be transported to a different realm where the sound paints vivid pictures of stunning landscapes and awe-inspiring scenes. These headphones possess a refined grace, demonstrated by their reluctance towards excessive bass. Their distinct character makes them well worth their price.

Key Features

  • Noise cancellation: No
  • Transparency: Yes
  • Driver: 43 mm dynamic
  • Connection: 1/8″ (3.5 mm) mini Stereo, gold-plated
  • Cable length: 3.0 m (9.8′)
  • Frequency response: 5 Hz – 30,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 38 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1mW
  • Weight: 265g

Design:

  • Style: Over-ear headphones with an open-back design
  • Earcups: allow air to go through, breathable for your ears, avoid causing discomfort
  • Earpads: the earpads made of flexible fabric offer an extra level of comfort when worn
  • Headband: the 3D wing support is designed to adjust automatically and provide a complete ear-fit without excessive pressure or the risk of headphones slipping off.
  • Connectivity: the cable length is 3 meters, long enough for your movement and stable connection

Performance:

  • Frequency response: range of 5Hz to 30,000 Hz for accurate and detailed sound production
  • Sound quality: the open-back design allows to have the natural and spacious soundstage
  • Soundstage: the sound signature is neutral, focusing on delivering precise and well-timed bass, although it may not satisfy bass enthusiasts.
  • Sensitivity: high rate of 100dB/mW make them suitable for use with a wide range of audio equipment
  • Microphone: no built-in microphone, no touch control for pickup/end calls

Pros:

  • Significant driver, great for an enhanced soundstage
  • self-adjusting headband
  • Clear soundstage
  • Great dynamics

Cons:

  • Less portable
  • Hard treble
  • Lack of noise isolation

Pricing:

Available on Amazon at the cost of USD 118.72

3. Sennheiser HD 599 Best Open-back Headphones under $300

Best Open-back Headphones under $300

Sennheiser HD 599 is designed for audiophiles who demand exceptional sound quality, along with a sleek and elegant appearance. They feature an over-ear design with open backs, providing a comfortable listening experience without any pressure on the ears. The padded headband and luxurious velour ear pads make them perfect for extended listening sessions. The headphones offer a range of connectivity options, including a robust 3-meter detachable cable and a 6.3-millimeter jack, as well as an additional 1.2-meter detachable cable with a 3.5-millimeter jack.

The timeless design cues include an ivory color, matte finish, brown headband stitching, and matte metallic detail, which convey quality at first glance. The premium components include Sennheiser-engineered transducers that use aluminum voice coils to deliver high efficiency, excellent dynamics, and extremely low distortion. These headphones use wired connectivity technology and do not require a battery for power.

Key Features

  • Noise cancellation: No
  • Transparency: Yes
  • Driver: 38 mm dynamic
  • Connection: 1/8″ (3.5 mm) mini Stereo, gold-plated
  • Cable length: 3.0 m (9.8′)
  • Frequency response: 12 Hz – 38,500 Hz
  • Impedance: 50 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 106 dB @ 1mW
  • Weight: 250g

Design:

  • Earpads: feature velour material that is soft, although not overly thick.
  • Headband: crafted from premium leather, the material looks luxurious and offers comfort. It is adjustable to fit any head size comfortably, and the abundance of cushions inside the headband ensures no unnecessary pressure on the head while wearing it.
  • 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:

  • Soundstage: expansive and open soundstage, creating a sensation of being within a music studio with multiple instruments.
  • Imaging: the imaging is decent and precise as well. However, where these headphones truly excel is their exceptional mid-range, which is genuinely fantastic.
  • Treble: the treble isn’t outstanding; it’s not excessively harsh or bothersome. However, the bass and sub-bass, which lie in the lower frequency range below 250 Hz, are slightly weaker.
  • Lows: the low end is robust. While the detail is decent, in some tracks, the power of the low back can overpower the mids.
  • Mids: the midrange is decent, occasionally bordering on remarkable. Though most of the frequency range is precise, there is some compression in the upper mids. Female vocals are relatively unaffected, but male vocals may sound constrained and heavy.
  • Highs: the level of detail is exceptional, occasionally bordering on piercing, particularly when it comes to strings, although it never becomes unbearable. Despite this, the high end is not excessively bright, and everything is well-balanced.

Pros:

  • Perfect passive soundstage
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable

Cons:

  • Bulky design
  • No noise isolation

Pricing:

Available on Amazon at the price of USD 119.99

4. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Open-back Headphones under $300

Best Open-back Headphones under $300

With outstanding sound quality and robust bass, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones are among the best open-back headphones on the market. Typical of Beyerdynamic headphones, they are also durable and comfortable. Additionally, the large, velour-wrapped ear pads and lightweight frame make them suitable for extended use at a desk without neck fatigue.

Key Features

  • Noise cancellation: No
  • Transparency: Yes
  • Driver: 38 mm dynamic
  • Connection:   ¼ “adapter (6.35 mm)
  • Cable length: 3.0 m (9.8′)
  • Frequency response: 5 Hz – 35,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 250 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 96 dB @ 1mW
  • 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 highly cozy over your ear
  • Headband: lightweight and durable, convenient to customize the length
  • Cable: replaceable cable
  • Connectivity: the high impedance allows one 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 on Amazon at the cost of USD 159.00

5. Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense

With cutting-edge technology, the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense gaming headset provides an immersive audio experience in a high-end gaming headset. Aside from that, this headphone has a Spatial Audio feature that surrounds the listener from all sides and features HyperSense technology, which enhances gaming immersion when no other headphones can.

Key Features

  • Noise cancellation: Yes
  • Transparency: Yes
  • Driver: 50 mm dynamic
  • Connection: ¼ “adapter (6.35 mm)
  • Cable length: 2.0m / 6.74 ft
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 32 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 96 dB @ 1mW
  • Weight: 344g
  • Built-in microphone: Yes

Design:

  • Style: Over-ear gaming headset with a retractable microphone
  • Headband: made of lightweight, durable materials with a comfortable fit
  • Earcups: has Razer Chroma RGB lighting for added style; the vents allow air to go through
  • Earpads: feature cooling gel-infused cushions to reduce heat and sweat buildup for comfortable wear during extended gaming sessions
  • Input: Wired connection with a braided cable that’s tangle-resistant and durable
  • Connectivity: Compatible with multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch

Performance:

  • Spatial Audio: 7.1 surround sound and THX Spatial Audio for accurate and precise sound positioning
  • Sound quality: Advanced haptic technology with HyperSense for a more immersive audio experience
  • Drivers: Custom-tuned 50mm drivers for powerful and clear audio
  • Microphones: Retractable microphone with active noise cancellation for clear communication with teammates
  • RGB lighting: customizable style and immersive effects
  • Frequency response: has ranged between 20Hz-20000hz so that you can hear the clear and detailed sound

Pros:

  • Multi-platform compatibility for versatile use

Cons:

  • Require software installation and calibration for optimal performance

Pricing:

Available in stock at the price of USD 129.99 at Amazon.

6. Corsair HS70 Pro Open Back Headphones

The HS70 Pro headphone is polished like the Corsair HS60 Pro. However, a polished look can sometimes mislead users into believing they are getting a high-quality product when, in reality, they are only getting the bare minimum. This is often the case with affordable headphones, and we have been waiting for a pair that can break this stereotype. The HS70 Pro Wireless headphones could be the underdogs that everyone is rooting for. I will test if they stand out from the pack and tick all the boxes at an affordable price.

Key Features

  • Noise cancellation: Yes
  • Transparency: Yes
  • Driver: 50mm Neodymium dynamic
  • Battery life: 16 hours
  • Codec code:  SBC, AAC, Apt-X™
  • Connection: Bluetooth® / USB Type A
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 32 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 111 dB
  • Weight: 188g

Design:

  • Earcups: The oval-shaped ear cups blend seamlessly with the headband, creating a smooth and sleek appearance without any bulkiness. Even with the microphone attached, the headphones maintain an orderly design.
  • Headband: the quilted stitching on the headband gives the headphones a professional look, but the rest of the design is essentially black and could use more color accents. Nevertheless, they still have a sleek and stylish appearance.
  • Touch control: the left ear cup houses a volume dial, mute button, detachable mic slot, and Micro USB connector for charging the headphones. The power button is on the right ear cup, and a voice confirms when the headphones have been turned on or off.
  • Connectivity: USB Bluetooth adapter,

Performance:

  • Microphones: the mic quality is subpar, with cracking and robotic sounds and high sensitivity to position, leading to breathing noise that may be annoying, despite a built-in noise gate.
  • Sound quality: the 7.1 surround sound provided clear directional audio to quickly identify sounds such as footsteps, reloads, and gunfire. The quality was balanced even during chaotic situations, allowing for awareness of the surroundings.

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Great sound quality
  • Solid built

Cons:

  • Microphones don’t have noise reduction
  • No support for mobile phone

Pricing:

Available on Amazon at the price of USD 96.99

7. GW100x Wireless Series Best Open-back Headphones under $300

Wireless Open Back Headphones

The Grado GW100x Wireless Headphone Review delves into a unique model rare in the market – an open-back Bluetooth headphone. Fans of Grado may be excited to experience the brand’s signature sound in a wireless form. The review explores whether this model meets the high standards expected by audiophiles and how it expresses itself in terms of character.

Grado headphones are renowned for their exceptional comfort, and the GW1000x model, with its traditional foam pads and a gentle clamping force, is no exception. It sits lightly on the ears, making it an excellent option for long music-listening sessions. The GW100X shares a similar appearance and texture to Grado’s popular SR60X and SR80X models, but the soft leather headband stitched into place gives it an added touch of durability.

Key Features

  • Noise cancellation: Yes
  • Transparency: Yes
  • Driver: 44 mm dynamic
  • Battery life: 46 hours
  • Codec code:  SBC, AAC, Apt-X™
  • Connection:Bluetooth® / Jack 3.5mm / USB-C®
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 38 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 99.8 dB
  • Weight: 188g

Design:

  • Earpads: traditional foam pads and gentle clamping force, easy to wear and comfortable all-day
  • Headband: sits comfortably on the ears and is also extremely lightweight with the soft leather headband
  • Touch control: allow you to pause, skip or play music via the button on the earcup
  • Voice assistants: integration to google assistant and Amazon Alexa

Performance:

  • Soundstage: offers an excellent soundstage with beautiful imaging. Fleetwood Mac’s Big Love demonstrates the depth and a decent sense of height. The separation and leanness of the Grado sound profile add to the spacial colorfulness.
  • Low-end: offers adequate bass performance, with even pop tracks like some pop songs displaying significant bass punch. The speed and grip of the bass add lively energy.
  • Transparency: shines through when listening to string instruments. The double bass has a natural, resolving sound.
  • Mids: the high mids enhance acoustic guitar radiance, making them suitable for jazz, classical, and acoustic styles.
  • Highs: well-represented highs without being overly bright. The strings have excellent fluidity to the sound, and the cable can bring out more subtle details for those who don’t want to compromise on clarity.

Pros:

  • Warranty for two years
  • Great sound quality
  • Awesome battery life
  • Multi-device connection
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Features a flimsy construction that may feel fragile
  • It can be uncomfortable for those who wear glasses

Pricing:

Available on Amazon at the price of USD 275.00

Summary

As we show above, the best open-back headphones under $300 that come with unique features, excellent performance, and design, the advantage and disadvantages of each pair. These headphones create a more natural sound production experience, so music lovers and audiophiles should invest in open-back headphones.

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