10 Best Open-Back Headphones with Amazing Sound (2023)

Find the best open-back headphones on the market, and enjoy the open spacious sound.

If you’re searching for your new pair of headphones, you probably came across some open-back headphones. First thing, if you don’t know what’s the deal with this type of headphones, let us clear up a few things.

As the name suggests, open-back headphones are physically different from the typical closed-back pair that you probably have at home. That means that the headphone’s driver isn’t enclosed inside the earcups, giving the sound more room to “breathe.

In many cases, the driver inside the open-back headphone can be visible to the naked eye. Sometimes you can even see through the cup when you use a flashlight to shine on the other side. Drivers are usually protected with an aluminum mesh since touching them can cause damage.

Open-back headphones have many advantages over closed-back ones. Since the air, which the driver pushes, isn’t trapped inside the earcup, there is a lesser chance of sound distortion at high volumes.

On the other hand, you’ll also hear ambient sound coming in, so making open-back headphones only suitable for home use.

The soundstage is also an area where open-back headphones excel. They can portray a massive soundscape that feels very natural, especially if you like to listen to live recordings or classical music. Not only that, but a big soundstage can benefit all music genres.

Most open-back headphones have velour earpads (however, that is not always the case). With the combination of textile pads and no barricade behind the driver, your ears sweat considerably less than with the closed-back option with leather pads.

Having no enclosure, the sound is also airer. It feels less congested and easier to listen to.

Because of all those benefits of the open design, many headphones of this type are also the most expensive. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great deal even under $100.

Open-back headphones are fantastic for:

Studio work: If you work in a music studio, you must know how important it’s to listen to your mix with neutral headphones. Since the closed-back solutions tend to have a slightly colorized sound due to bass boost, open-back headphones can more easily achieve perfect neutrality.

It’s worth mentioning that this type of headphone isn’t suitable for monitoring your singer’s voice since the sound leak might be audible in the microphone.

Home listening: Since open-back headphones leak sound while also getting a lot of background noise in, the best place to listen to them is at home, in a quiet environment. In a room where no one can bother you, you can enjoy your favorite music in peace. Enhanced levels of detail and a big soundstage will give your music a whole new dimension.

Related:

• Best headphones for mixing
• Best audiophile headphones
• Best headphones under $100

The 10 Best Open-Back Headphones

1. Sennheiser HD 800 S

Sennheiser hit the right frequency response with HD 800 S. Nothing sticks too far out to cause sibilance or distortion. While dynamic drivers do have their physical limitations, this is definitely their best headphone implementation.

Sennheiser is known for designing out-of-this-world-looking headphones. HD 800 S are a clear example of that. Thanks to the headphone design, they’re shaped to ensure a perfect fit for human ears. Dense earpads with soft fabric provide fantastic comfort when wearing headphones for hours.

The exceptional build quality of these open-back headphones is also top-notch, with a quality plastic body, aluminum cups, and removable cables. With good care, these can last for many years.

Even after a very long time, these are still a gold standard of how an accurate headphone should sound like.

2. Philips Fidelio X2HR

Open-back headphones are notorious for lacking low-end, but Philips somehow managed to make these quite bassy.

Thankfully, the lower frequencies don’t bleed into the middle range or treble, where you can still find tons of details. Furthermore, you get a good sense of the soundstage, making them suitable as gaming headphones too.

Fidelio X2HR open-back headphones are built incredibly well. There is very little plastic on them, providing a premium-feeling experience when you hold them in your hands. Compared to other audiophile headphones, these are also very easy to drive from a phone.

Once they’re on your head, you can feel the exquisite comfort level provided by generous padding inside the velour pads. Since the dirt gets build up quite fast, check how to keep them clean.

Because of that, your ears don’t sweat at all, ticking another box under the “great comfort” section.

3. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro

Bass delivers a good punch and attack, not disturbing the midrange, which is incredibly detailed and accurate. The same goes for the upper mids and lower treble, which are boosted to add clarity, although, at times, it can be sibilant.

All studio monitors from Beyerdynamic headphones are made in Germany, which ensures a greater level of quality control. They’re built like a tank, with robust hard plastic earcups and a metal frame dressed in padded leather.

DT 990 Pro open-backs come with velour earpads with thick padding. Headphones feel comfortable, like wearing a pillow on your head.

For slightly more than $150 (or less), you’re getting a fantastic mixing and mastering tool that you can genuinely rely on.

4. Sennheiser HD 660 S

HD 660 S combines everything good from HD 600/650 and makes it a little better.

Bass has a better impact and control, the midrange is a bit more detailed, and the treble range shows slightly more resolution.

Overall a well-balanced performance worthy of a reference headphones title.

These pair of open-back headphones share an almost identical design compared to HD 600/650. The good thing about that is durability and detachable dual-exit cables.

You can easily rock these over-ears for decades since the spare parts are always available. The cool thing is that everything is replaceable on these.

Earcups are huge, providing a comfortable fit for extended periods, even for the most gigantic ear size. They come with velour memory foam earpads, which feel incredibly on your skin, and can also prevent sweating.

5. Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X

They lack a bit of bass response, but they make up with a superb mid-range and treble. They’re incredibly resolving in those frequencies, which is why most people use them for gaming since you can hear enemies long before seeing them.

These are the most unique-looking headphones on this list. While that 3D self-adjusting wing system looks flimsy, they’re doing a good job keeping the AD900X in their place.

Headphones have big and perfectly round earcups with velour earpads that sit gently on your ears. Ear cups are large enough to go around your ears nicely.

These headphones offer excellent breathability, with drivers so thin you can actually see through them. Headphones come with a 6.3mm adapter.

6. Philips SHP9500

Like the Fidelio model, these open-back headphones offer wide frequency response, a well-balanced sound signature, and a massive sound stage.

They are an excellent option for gaming headset and music, especially if you want to hear even the faintest sound in your favorite tunes.

The earpads’ fabric is extremely breathable, preventing them from getting too sweaty after extended listening sessions. They’re also generously padded, providing a cloud-like sensation when you wear them.

Their solid build quality is exceptional considering the low price tag. Drivers are covered with a metallic mesh, on which you can also see big imprinted L/R letters. 1.5m copper cable with gold-plated connectors is replaceable.

SHP9500 were much more expensive, costing well above $100, making them a steal at their current $75.

7. Grado GW100 v2

Grado’s are known for their airy sound with an open soundstage. The bass is a bit lacking, but that’s something to be expected from completely open-back headphones.

The design is Grado classic, with on-ear fit and foam earpads. These are comfortable headphones, even for long periods, thanks to light clamping force.

Since they’re geared towards audiophiles, they use high-quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX. That also ensures minimal latency for watching videos.

The battery life is pretty impressive, lasting for around 40 hours on a single charge. Just be aware that the microphone quality is nothing to brag about.

If you want something cheaper and similar-sounding but wired, check our Grado SR80e review from their Prestige series.

8. Sennheiser HD 560 S

A welcoming new addition to the Sennheiser HD lineup, the HD 560S headphones provide an excellent neutral listening experience under $200.

You get a very natural sound, albeit slightly warm and with plenty of detail retrieval in the treble. They’re the new audiophile’s choice on a “budget.”

The design is similar to other headphones from the HD lineup. They’re lightweight and have comfortable earpads, making them a great choice for hours of extended use.

Their open-back design ensures breathability and also widens up the soundstage. With a detailed treble, you can easily use the HD 560 S for gaming.

Also, the cable is quickly detachable if you even need to upgrade.

9. RAPTGO x HBB HOOK-X

Hear the RAPTGO x HBB HOOK-X A/B Sound Test:

If you seek small details in your music for around $200, then HOOK x HBB should be on your radar. They’re slightly V-shaped but very controlled, thanks to planar magnetic and piezoelectric drivers.

Furthermore, they’re comfortable and stable thanks to the over-the-ear cable design.

Speaking of the cable, it’s thick and braided for extra protection. It uses 3.5mm unbalanced and 2.5mm & 4.4mm balanced interchangeable connectors.

The housing is also beautiful to look at, with all metal construction and open-back mesh that shows a little bit of that planar magnetic driver inside.

You can easily drive the IEMs using a smartphone, but you must use the grey ear tips to get the best sound quality.

10. Samson SR850

In this price category, the audio fidelity is outright fantastic. While you can get similar performance from other best cheap headphones like Superlux HD668B, Samson’s neodymium drivers are more balanced, with more bass and controlled treble.

Supposedly, these use the same drivers as some much more pricey headphones. To cut down the cost, build quality feels very cheap.

They’re entirely made of plastic, which can also be a good thing. That makes these budget-open headphones very lightweight for their size. Comfort is decent, especially if you don’t wear glasses.

SR850 are also quite sturdy, despite lacking high-quality materials. We have had them for years now, and the only thing that feels slightly loose is the spring for the self-adjusting headband.

Honorable Mentions

Superlux HD668B

AKG K240 Studio

Sennheiser HD 600/650

Audio-Technica ATH-R70x

HIFIMAN HE-400i (2020 Version)

HIFIMAN Ananda

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

How to Pick the Best Open-Back Headphones for You?

As you can see, open-back headphones aren’t only limited to premium prices. You can get an excellent pair for as much as $40. However, we know it can be tricky to find yourself a perfect headphone without trying them up front.

If you haven’t found your next headphone on our list, try to follow these pieces of advice when browsing the web.

Intent

First, you need to know why you need them. Is it for casually listening to music, watching movies, playing games, or doing professional work?

Lots of these things can stir you in a different direction when it comes to headphone search. For instance, if you need something for a studio, you should probably look for other options with a flat sound. If you need them for movies, you’re better off with a more bassy headphone, or even trying the ones with a closed-back design.

Budget

Give yourself a budget limit. Everyone wants the latest and greatest, but you can quickly find yourself browsing through more expensive headphones that you can’t afford. It’s easier to tell yourself that you want, for example, something under $100, and then start searching.

That way, it’s much simpler to browse since many websites, including ours, sort headphones based on their prices. And we always try to present you with the best price-to-performance deals for a given price bracket.

Reviews and Forums

Try to seek reviewers that aren’t biased. Thankfully, there aren’t as many of them, but some might still favor a specific brand without knowing, giving a false product image. Seek for reviews that are honest and don’t only talk about nice things. No headphone is perfect, and there are no perfect scores.

Forums can also be helpful when trying to decide if you want to buy that specific headphone or not. However, people tend to like different things, and while some might love a particular headphone, you might end up hating it entirely. So try to search through many forums before forming an opinion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)