Top 10 Open-Back Headphones of 2024

HIFIMAN is one of the highest rated brands for open-back headphones and this product proves that. These full sized headphones are equipped with amazing-quality planar drivers that deliver a well-balanced sound of 93 dB. You can also use them with your smartphone or other portable music players. The largely sized diaphragm delivers improved treble and bass.

This pair is also highly comfortable to wear despite its big size. Usually, these headphones are heavy but they weigh 30% less than the average weight. Also, the pads are made from soft leather and velour.

The advantage of magnetic circuitry is that the even distribution of signal ensures there is no distortion. For this reason, this pair of headphones are great for listening to live music. This one also has a wide sound stage so you will hear instruments distinctly.

Pros:
+ Top Magnetic drivers, great bass
+ Extraordinarily Lightweight & low in price
+ Highest quality of sound

Why We Liked It - If you think its sound or comfort are the only pluses, you are forgetting its design. We found it to be one of the most stylish pair of audiophile headphones. The gloss charcoal finish on the cups shows others that you take your music seriously.

The HE1000 is another high-fidelity headphone set from HIFIMAN. They are known to deliver sound that is incredibly accurate. This is the world’s first headphone whose diaphragm thickness measures in nanometers! This pair also has magnetic circuity that reproduces audio signal - giving you zero distortion, they are truly fantastic for listening to live music. It's as if you are in the room where the music was being recorded! That is how pure the sound is on this truly epic headphone set.

The HE1000 has remarkable window shade technology that serves to protect the drivers. This is a result of years of research and dedication from HIFIMAN. The HE1000 has a very soft and ergonomically-sound design - with a beautiful arch-shaped headband. Those who have used this pair of headphones found it to be one of their greatest purchases ever.

Pros:
+ Stylish and comfortable design
+ Excellent Magnetic drivers
+ High fidelity sound

Why We Liked It - This pair is bound to turn heads with its lustrous metallic construction and wooden accents on the ear cups. We wouldn't be surprised if someone stopped you to inquire where you got the headphones from!

The Philips SHP9500 HiFi headphones are the best pair of headphones that you can get on a tight budget. Everything is done to perfection on this headphone; from its 50 mm neodymium drivers to its gold plated connectors. The frequency response range is quite generous as you get a max response of 35 kHz. With low impedance and high sensitivity, the SHP9500 is dedicated to providing crisp highs and deep lows, something for everyone.

Now let us talk about the comfort of this headset as it may just be the most comfortable headphone set from Philips. You get a double padded headband and highly breathable cushions to make prolong operation of these pair of headphones a breeze. You can wear it for hours without feeling even the slightest ounce of discomfort. Another great thing about this particular model is that it has quite a long cable measuring 3 meters. You can do your chores around the room while wearing them. Looking for Bluetooth headphones for under $100, click for our full review guide.

Pros:
+ High-quality sound
+ Very comfortable cups
+ Long cord

Why We Liked It - This is definitely one of those "best of the best" products where you get every penny returned in value. You are getting high fidelity sound, comfort, and durability in a price that is not too harsh on the pocket!

This is another great product that is a hybrid of closed back and open-back, combining the best of both worlds. The Koss UR40 has diaphragms coated with high-quality titanium that produce very accurate sound. The magnetic structure is made from rare neodymium iron boron. Despite all these high-quality components, this headphone set does not cost all that much in the grand scheme of things.

The greatest thing about this particular headphone is that it is great for almost every type of genres of music. Whether you have high transient details or deep bass, you will hear the music as it was intended for you to hear.

The headband has an airy mesh design that is best for those who want minimum contact on their scalp. This adjustable headband will feel very comfortable on every head, regardless of the size. It has a four-foot long dual entry cord, and a quarter inch stereo adapter to be used with high fidelity systems.

Pros:
+ Rare magnetic drivers, deep bass
+ Suitable for wide range of music and frequencies
+ High-end Comfort / ergonomic design

Why We Liked It - A brilliant feature of this masterpiece, is the bass. Other than that, this headphone is designed to last long with its rigid ear cups lined with a luxury leather sealing. Anyone can use them as they fit almost every head size. And you get all of this for a very reasonable price.

Superlux HD668B are semi-open headphones so they have an accurate and balanced sound, found in most open-back headphones. They also provide the protection to the drivers found on closed back headphones. If you listen to music rich with string instruments, these headphones will reproduce the most accurate tunes. It also has authentic vocal reproduction too, so mostly any type of music would sound great with these.

It comes with two cables one which is one foot long, designed for personal use, and one that is 3 feet long - this is designed for studio mostly. You can connect both cords to get an even longer connection. As for the comfort, these headphones have a headband that has minimal contact with your head, and is, therefore, virtually weightless. They are designed to be worn comfortably for long periods of time - like re-performing ad-libs and riffs in the studio... Over and over.

Pros:
+ Two cables
+ Great for all types of music
+ Semi open & low price

Why We Liked It - These are a lightweight and highly comfortable set of headphones which are suited for people who have an eclectic taste in music. You can buy these once and enjoy every type of music you are in the mood for. The long cable and diverse output make them great for professionals, too.

The Samson SR850 are another great pair of semi-open-back headphones designed for professionals. They have a frequency response range of 10 Hz- 30 kHz which combined with it's 50 mm driver is enough to produce exceptional quality sound. If you are looking for a wider sound stage and appropriate bleed, this is the pair you need. The design ensures you get the best stereo imaging - so you hear the instruments distinctly.

The headband adjusts itself and sits naturally on your head without being too snug, they are very comfortable to wear. You also get gold plated 1/8 and ¼ inch adapters with this pair of headphones. These headphones are great for mixing and playback, and really don't cost a lot. Samson is a pretty well-known name and has been producing recording equipment since the 80s. You can be sure of the quality and durability.

Pros:
+ Comfortable design
+ Perfect for mixing and playback
+ Two adapters included

Why We Liked It - This pair of headphones is quite common for playback and mixing, and are just the right design for professional use. The price is also quite reasonable. What is not to love about that?

Spadger Over Ear headphones are designed to produce the most accurate sound for your precious ears. They are designed for professional users like sound engineers and DJs who need authentic sounds & vocals. With crisp and rich bass textures, these headphones will work great in most situations. This is due to the low mass coil and quality diaphragm used. You can use them in studios, radio stations, and bars or clubs.

The cable on these headphones is exceptionally long; measuring 9 feet. This is because they are designed for professional use - in such settings you might need a very long cable. If you are looking for well-balanced sound, and comfort with dedicated aftersales service - this is the product you have been searching for.

Pros:
+ Perfect for professionals
+ Long cable
+ Rich Bass
+ Good value

Why We Liked It - These are quite simple looking. They are sized a little on the large side over the ear. They do what it says on the tin. Unlike many other pairs of headphones, these are fairly basic and simplistic in terms of style. We think this aspect makes them all the more professional.

The Status OB-1 headphones are perfect for professional studio monitors as they produce clear and authentic sound. Their 42 mm driver is good for upper, low and mid-range frequencies. The pads are super soft, so you can wear it in the studio for hours on end. We know how long it can take to get the right sound! The headband consists of high quality materials - comfort is not lacking in this pair! They are the complete comfort package.

This pair of headphones is designed for high-quality fidelity listening, which is a large requirement for studio monitoring. The design helps the listener hear and dissect the playback in order to improve the music successfully. At such an amazing price, you get a headphone set that delivers quality and will last for a long time.

Pros:
+ Authentic sound
+ Designed for professionals
+ Comfortable to wear and low in price

Why We Liked It - Headphones designed for HiFi sound are usually outrageously expensive, but the Status OB-1 headphones are actually quite inexpensive. Even with the small price tag, they have managed to retain top-quality through their components.

Grado fidelity headphones are usually quite expensive which everyone cannot afford, so they came up with an affordable alternative; the SR60e. This is nearly as great sound quality as some of the other Grado hi-fi headphones. The soundstage on this one is quite wide and you will hear notes that regular headphones would perhaps miss. The design aids this authentic reproduction giving you every beat and every vocal intensity as it should.

They have improved the driver design and introduced a new polymer to damp the resonant distortion. Speaking of vocals, you will hear very rich vocals so this is perfect to listen to your favorite singers. They are foldable so you can carry them and pack them in very conveniently.

Pros:
+ Authentic vocal reproduction
+ Quality sound
+ Affordable price

Why We Liked It - The Grado SR60e is as comfortable as it is top-quality so it is everything a good headphone set should be. The pads are soft and the headband adjusts to give you the greatest and most comfortable listening experience. And all of that at a very reasonable price - which is not that common with this manufacturer. Grab 'em before Grado change their minds!

Number 10 on our list is a masterpiece from AKG.

The AKG Pro Audio K612PRO is a headphone set made for studio headphones with the patented vari-motion diaphragm technology. The frequency response range is quite generous with the highest frequency response going up to 39 kHz. Make sure you prepare yourselves for loud and crisp top frequencies and very rich bass.

The best thing about these AKG Pro Audio headphones is that they are extremely lightweight. They weigh around 238g, so you can imagine that you won't really feel that you have a pair of headphones on your head. The headband of the AKG Pro Audio is also designed to be breathable with a mesh soft layer of leather underneath. With 101 dB this pair from AKG is one of the loudest sets of headphones you may ever have.

Pros:
+ These AKG headphones are Extremely lightweight
+ Great frequency response
+ Breathable headband

Why We Liked It - The design is kept quite simplistic because the focus of AKG Pro Audio is on the sound quality and the ergonomic deisgn of the headphones. This goes to show how suitable AKG 'phones are for professionals, in studios, and on stage.

The Sennheiser HD 800 S Reference headphones are a truly luxurious set of headphones with quite possibly the largest driver found on any headphones; measuring a colossal 56 mm. Since it is from Sennheiser, you can only expect high fidelity sound combined with the necessary comfort and convenience that you expect from this world-renowned company. The Sennheiser HD 800 S is packed with all the latest technology from the brand. Everything comes together nicely to produce the most authentic sound - allowing you to hear instruments and vocals distinctly.

The highlight of the Sennheiser HD 800 S is that the sound is quite natural. The open ear cups are designed at a certain angle. They come with two connecting cables, a quarter-inch, and a balanced 4 pin XLR. This pair of headphones from Sennheiser gives you enough flexibility to connect them to a wide variety of audio devices and Hifi systems. The ear cup cushions and headband is extremely soft - courtesy of multiple layers of polymers. Thank you, Sennheiser!

Pros:
+ 56 mm driver
+ Comfortable to wear
+ Authentic Sound
+ Zero distortion

Why We Liked It - With the latest technology, complete with a cutting edge design, these are epic audiophile headphones designed for private and studio listening. They can be used for both mixing, and playback. These German made headphones are every bit top quality from the inside, outwards.

Best Open-back Headphones Buyers Guide

 Top Pick

Our top pick for the best open-back headphones is HIFIMAN’s HE-400I which are a high fidelity sound headphone. With a sound of 93 dB, you get the most well-balanced output where the soundstage is ample, to let you hear an array of different notes and textures in a song. It is a truly luxury headphone set that is usually only used by professionals and audiophiles who want the complete, rich and authentic audio experience. They produce this authentic sound through its planar or magnetic drivers.

Most high fidelity open-back headphones have magnetic drivers, as this technology produces consistent output with minimal distortion. This headphone set is also our top choice because it is simply unbeatable at reproducing live music.

Premium Quality

The premium quality HE1000 headphones are from HIFIMAN, too. This pair of headphones utilize planar drivers for reproducing authentic sound and vocals. If you have no budget restraints, and you do not want any compromise on quality, this is the headphone set you may have been looking for. The best thing about such high fidelity audiophile headphones is that you don't get any distortion - regardless of the style of music you are listening to.

Although they have an open back, the drivers are protected by what is called "window shade technology". Besides the audio quality, the design is amazing on its own, too. They have used the highest quality of materials to construct this set of headphones, they really do have the ability to turn heads.

When you are spending so much on a headset, you might as well get a pair with serious style!

Great Value 

If your goal is finding a set of headphones with the best value for money, the Philips SHP9500 HiFi Headphones have got you covered. First of all, they produce great frequency highs and lows with the 50 mm driver they have. Secondly, they are highly comfortable with supersoft ear pads, and a band that is double padded. If that wasn't enough to convince you, it's worth also adding that these headphones are a very reasonable price!

This is by far the best open-back headphone for people with limited budgets. Good quality headphones can set you back hundreds of dollars. However, this set from Philips does not even cost a hundred at the time of writing.

This set is a must-have for anyone who appreciates sound quality.

Since the cord is super long, you can use it in a studio or on stage. These headphones are pretty popular among music producers and audiophiles for they have many advantages, endless amounts it seems! There are plenty of brands producing this style of headphones, and the price range can be pretty wide too. Some headphones may be targeted solely for professional use, while others are for everyone. In order to get the greatest product for your music listening needs, you need to know which headphones are most suited to you, and what you should look for when selecting a pair. Here is our buying guide to help you do just that:

Open VS. Closed Back

Ever since they were created, headphones have seen some seriously drastic changes. As a result, we have multiple variations of headphones that are different, in an array of multiple dimensions and sizes. In over-ear headphones, there are two types of designs that are common: closed back and open-back. Let us discuss closed back first, as these are common for the majority of music listeners. Closed back headphones have sealed cups that pack in the drivers. This is because they do not want any frequencies to escape or other noises to meddle with the sound the listener hears.

Open-back, on the other hand, has no such seal and the driver is pretty much exposed. It is designed this way so that there is no frequency build-up within the headphones, and you do not get any resonating sound. The thing with closed back headphones is that, as they are sealed, some frequencies can get trapped and you get something called "resonance".

This can be known to mess-up the actual sound, and you tend to lose the accuracy. Open back headphones do not do this and, therefore, reproduce sound signals as they are - in their truest form.

Those who work in studios and mix music need to hear the most accurate sound. As mentioned above, a closed back pair of headphones can alter the accuracy which can, in turn, alter the producers' studio mixing. This is why most professionals use these open back headphones. That does not mean that the closed back variety is absent in studios. This type is, in fact, great for recording purposes because they provide great noise isolation.

Drivers

Drivers are the main components that produce the sound signals within headphones. The driver has to be of great quality, and on most of these headphones - that is the case.

Since they are not sealed, the driver itself has to be durable and sturdy. Magnetic drivers are common for top fidelity sound.

If you are looking for authentic and accurate sound reproduction, go for a headphone set that has planar or magnetic drivers.

The driver size is important too because it determines how well some of the frequencies will be reproduced. For effective low frequencies i.e. the bass, a driver size of 40 mm or above is ideally required. Most of the headphones on our list have the standard 50 mm driver.

Size

These headphones are essentially over ear's but even in these, the size differs between different pairs. While most are supra-aural (this means they cover the ears entirely), some can be qualified as circumaural (covers the ears partially). Size does not have much to do with the quality of the sound and vocals; however, it does affect the comfort and overall experience. The headphone should have appropriate padding on the ear cups and headband to provide the utmost comfort or longer recording sessions. Extra stuffed padding is not always a good thing because it can increase the weight.

Many users assume the heavier the headset is, the more durable it is. This is not true in all cases, especially now that the latest technology has improved the design and ergonomics of headphones entirely. You should go for the one that is comfortably soft and had minimal weight. There are some designs that have headbands consisting of only metal meshes, so those are even lighter. Comfort is a crucial choosing criterion because in studios; you could be wearing a headset for hours. If the headset is even slightly uncomfortable, you might not be able to concentrate on getting your job done effectively and to the best of your ability.

Pricing

Like most other headphones, these products vary in terms of pricing. The wide range of prices means that you have a wide range of quality as well. Luckily enough, you should be able to find a quality open-back headphone set for under $100. On the other end of the spectrum, those designed for audiophiles can cost several hundred or even thousands of dollars. These are truly luxury products best for professional studio mixing, and for those with a bigger budget who want to listen to accurate music in peace and quiet.

Pricing also somewhat depends on the brand you choose. However, there are several well-known brands with rather affordable headphones that produce brilliant sound. These will not set you back more than $100.

Cords and Adapters

You should also pay attention to other parts of the headphones like the cable and connectors/adapters. Some headphones come with different types of connectors and adapters that allow them to be connected to different audio sources. The common types of adapters are the quarter inch and 1/8 inch. The cords are longer on some headphones because these are designed for studios where you may need to spread it over a long distance. A length of 3 feet should be good enough for most settings.

FAQs

What are open-back headphones?

Basically, headphones are of two types, open-back and closed backed headphones. Both somehow share equal features but the design factor puts them into different lanes.

As suggested by the title, the closed back headphone has a closed outer-cup design which means that there would be no sound leakage. On the other hand, the open back headphones have an open outer-cup design which allows the user to stay connected with the surroundings. Thanks to the design, they reduce the distortion effect and produce a wider sound stage.

So why should I choose these open back headphones over the closed back headphones? The open ear design lets air pass through which results in a more natural yet accurate sound than you would get on closed backs. Similarly, the “bouncing around” effect created in the closed back headphone is eliminated by the extra airflow in open-back headphones.

So would you choose a headphone with the likes of sound isolation only, or would you prefer a complete package?

On the whole, these products are equipped with an open ear cup design that promises natural, open, accurate, and wide sound.

How do you choose the most suitable open-back headphones?

The term “suitable” means that anything, which is right or appropriate for a particular person. There are many of these headphones available in the market but choosing the right one for your needs could be a little difficult.

Every person has different preferences over a particular choice so below we’ll highlight three main things to focus on while buying pair according to your personal needs and preferences.

Budget

Before deciding on your next set, you need to know your current constraints. These headphones are available in every price group but before checking the specifications, you first need to analyze your spending limit.

Our advice would favor an average budget as going too cheap could cause you trouble in the near future, and picking a premium headphone could affect your balance.

Brand Name

Many people argue that popular brands fail to deliver users within a medium price range, but the reality is that there are plenty of mid-range options.

Iconic brands are living up to the hype for a reason, no one can be amongst the good books of users without delivering to the crowd. The well-known brands might charge you a bit more, but they promise consistency and quality on the same nodes.

Don’t get carried away by “Brand praise” as rising music companies can most definitely provide you with a whole new listening experience if you give them a chance.

Just remember one thing while considering an open-back headphone, no matter what you do - a cheap product can’t promise you with amazing-quality drivers.

Customer Reviews

Customer reviews can really help you to make the right decision.

A buyer that invests his/her money on a specific product never gives fake feedback.

We recommend you take some time to check out genuine reviews from customers on sites like Amazon, eBay, etc.

It is important to point out that not every review is accurate, but you should be able to separate the genuine reviews of a product from a fake review.

Product reviews are essential to ease potential buyers before they make the final purchase. They give you a clear idea of what you are going to experience with a specific product. Reading more and more reviews will give you a good idea of what you are about to purchase.

We do advise you to read product reviews (at least one review) before adding specific open-back headphones to your cart, as it’s never too late to change your mind.

Above we presented you with specific things to note before buying a pair of open-back headphones. Are you ready for our top choice that has excelled in all fields?

Sennheiser is mastering the audio game since its start. HD 600’s by Sennheiser are designed by special engineers to provide you with cleaner and crisper stereo sound.

Thanks to the advanced diaphragm design, you experience a clean and pure sound without any disturbances. Similarly, the outer ear cup is built with awesome-quality open metal mesh grills that promise to deliver you with extremely transparent sound. A wide range of dynamic responses and optimum sensitivity is backed up by neodymium ferrous magnets.

The harmonic and intermodulation distortion gets eliminated by the computer optimized magnet system so that you hear what matters the most. What's more, is that the extremely lightweight aluminum voice coils help to ensure the best transient response.

Apart from the awesome tech used inside these headphones, they sport a super premium look as well. The black and gray finish puts the HD 600’ on a perfectly professional level. In the box, you get the headphones themselves, with a detachable Kevlar-reinforced oxygen-free copper cable that ensures low handling noise.

Nope... That’s not even the end. With the Sennheiser HD 600’s, you get a 2-year international warranty - so no matter where you live; you are covered by the elite grade technicians.

Sennheiser HD 600’s are not marked among cheap options. With neodymium ferrous magnets, comfortable ear cups, and lightweight aluminum voice coils, you are just in the right position to experience something out of this world.

We've tried to give you the best advice, with specific points to note before buying your first set of open back headphones and presenting you with an ideal contender. We hope to make your decision more beneficial to you.

What are the advantages of open-back headphones?

Open-back headphones are engineered with an open ear-cup design so that the flow of air is regulated in the cups. There are many advantages of having an open-back headphone over a closed back headphone set.

Responsive to environment

None of us do monitoring and editing in every hour of our lives. We listen to music, watch movies and do so much more with headphones. An open-back headphone set keeps you connected with the world and what’s going on. With an unlocked outer cup design, you are bound to face some noises from your surroundings.

The connectivity between you and your surroundings is important, as you may need to know what’s going around - such as road traffic, or other dangers.

Comfort Level

Unlike closed back headphones, these headphones are open from the outside which means that your ears are not overloaded. Air flow helps your ears to relax and keep intact with the normal conditions, as complete isolation can result in fatigue and discomfort.

As the outer ear cup is open, we can conclude that less material is used which means it favors the overall weight. Lightweight designs allow users to continue the joy of listening and working for longer periods.

Better transient Response

What on earth is a transient response? Basically, the transient response is the quick reaction of the driver towards the changes in the source material. In closed-back headphones, drivers respond slowly to the changes as the air pressure is greater. On the flip side, open-back headphones react quickly to the source material changes as the air pressure is very low due to the open outer cup design.

So do headphones get a greater volume with a better transient response? No... But you experience the most accurate, finest, low-level sounds with the slightest of details.

Natural Sound

These types of products allow the sound to pass through the back of the earpiece which creates an opening resulting in a natural yet accurate sound. Unlike closed back headphones they don’t create a mock listening experience as the sound bounces around in closed back headphones.

For an acoustic sound experience, they ensure that you don’t get disappointed.

There are a lot of advantages but if you are looking for a headphone that isolates sound and prevents sound leakage, then considering these headphones may not be your best option.

Can others hear open-back headphones?

The word open-back suggests that the outer ear cup of the headphone is open which means that the sound will leak, and air will be able to flow in/out. This means that others will be able to hear what you are listening to.

The interference of background noises can be frustrating, but it keeps you alarmed all the time.

Isolation cuts you off from the surroundings increasing the chances of danger. So the sound leakage of these headphones can be considered an advantage, and a disadvantage.

So why do people buy these sound leaking headphones? As they regulate the flow of air, it means that sound will leak but don’t get misguided, as the air will allow you to experience a natural, yet wider, soundstage.

Why do some people choose closed back headphones over open-back headphones? In recording sessions, most of the musicians prefer closed back headphones as any sound leakage will interfere with the microphone. So that’s why some people tend to choose these types of headphones listed.

The ambition of the Sennheiser family is to refine the experience of listening to audio over and over again. For 70 years every member strived to work toward one goal, to give users an experience they won't forget in a hurry.

Meet the new talk of the town; the RS 120 by Sennheiser is not just another wireless open-back headphone... They output a clear yet detailed bass response. Similarly, you experience good clarity with a classic sound of Sennheiser's, which is one of its own. Comfort measures are backed up by a lightweight design and padded headband so you can enjoy those long listening hours.

You get up to 300 feet of wireless freedom through walls, ceilings, and even outdoors. Similarly, you get an easy to use recharging system. For charging your headphones, simply place them on the transmitter base - and there you go!

The open-Air design delivers a warm sound, deep bass, and detailed signals so you can experience true audio. With an easy to set up function, the transmitter is easily connected to any device that is equipped with an analog audio output. To eliminate the distortion factor, this headphone is equipped with three RF channels so that you can choose among the options for a non-interference channel.

The headphone is equipped with volume, on/off and tuning controls so you can control everything on the go.

With a wireless range of 300 feet and a deep sound and impedance of -24 ohm; this headphone is breaking all the records.

Eugen Beyer started to make cinema speakers in 1924 and now Beyerdynamic is not only known for manufacturing but creating a soulful audio experience.

The DT 990 by Beyerdynamic is a professional acoustic open-back headphone for studio monitoring, gaming, and much more.

Open diffuse field design allows sound to escape and make room to get in which results in a great audio experience allowing sound to interact with the environment. Similarly, it’s equipped with a single-sided coiled cable and 250-ohm drivers for excellent sound reproduction. Thanks to the extremely lightweight diaphragm, you can expect to experience superb impulse performance.

Soft velour earpads and a padded headband promise comfort, even in long listening hours. With these headphones, you get 2 years of manufacturer warranty.

With the 250 ohm drivers, comfortable earpads/headband and lightweight diaphragm, the DT 990’s by Beyerdynamic is a game changer.

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