The best open-back headphones are designed to deliver an immersive listening experience through their unique design. As they lower the isolation level between you and your surroundings, these speakers can produce a wide soundstage that feels like it’s coming from inside of the room rather than just in front or behind them; this type of spaciousness is typically only experienced by professionally installed surround systems with professional calibrations which cost thousands upon thousand dollars! Unfortunately, open-back models also leak quite loudly when listened to at normal volumes – so much more so compared to other types whose leakage doesn’t cancel out background noise reduction features because those two things often compete (such as closed vs open backs).
The best open back headphones
HiFiMan Arya
The HiFiMan Arya headphones are a great choice for those looking to use planar magnetic transducers, but may not be as effective at delivering bass compared with other models. The HiFiMan Arya headphones come inbuilt with an extra audio cable and also include a 1/4″ -1/8″ adapter which allows them better Low-frequency performance due to their design; these well-built comfortable cans deliver fantastic soundstage natural-sounding wide spaciousness suitable if you like listening mostly classic rock or jazz music genres without shifting your listening taste too much when changing tracks
The neutral profile makes it easy on whichever kind of content gets thrown at me so I can enjoy every track equally.
Grado SR325x
Grado SR325x are open-back headphones designed for critical listening. They’re handmade in Brooklyn, NY, with mahogany and maple wood ear cups that offer a great soundstage and spaciousness. These headphones are perfect for audiophiles who want better sound quality. The 44mm drive unit has a revised motor system, new diaphragm and upgraded coil to improve efficiency while reducing distortion– all this adds up to giving you a smoother listening experience with more authoritative bass that delivers rhythms effectively through clear vocals or wild instrumentals!
Sennheiser HD 820S
The Sennheiser HD 820S is a perfect pair of headphones for professionals in the audio industry. They are open-backed, which means that they don’t have any padding on them; this makes it possible to hear every detail and instrument clearly with clarity like no other product out there! You need an amplifier if you want these babies loud enough so be careful before buying one as well – but they sound absolutely amazing when hooked up properly thanks to how detailed everything sounds due to their large Soundstage (sound coming from different places at once). The bass isn’t boomingly heavy or soft either–it’s right where we expect our music should go!
Read about the best DJ headphones
Philips Fidelio X2HR
Philips Fidelio X2HR are one of the most comfortable headphones I have ever tested. They offer a solid build quality and an amazing all-black look, but it isn’t just their stylish design that makes them great for gaming–the sound generated by these cans is incredible! With wide frequency response tailored specifically towards gamers with mids being slightly recessed and lows somewhat elevated to create accurate positioning in games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or League Of Legends (or any other game where you need your ears), there’s no better choice when it comes down what kind of Open Back Headphones will give powerful yet detailed music while still letting out enough volume so everyone can hear perfectly without having their own tunes turned up louder than anyone else around them.
Best open-back headphones for mixing and mastering
HiFiMan HE-400i
HiFiMan HE-400i is a significant upgrade over their original model and represents incredible value for money. They’re not cheap, but if you want high-end sound reproduction with great build quality that will last years before showing any signs of wear or damage then these headphones are perfect! The comfortable fit makes them one of the best options out there when it comes to casual listening as well professional use – especially considering how much better they perform compared to other open-backed models we’ve tested in recent months.
Best open-back headphones under $200
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
The DT 990 Pro are the most comfortable over-ear studio monitors in our review by a long shot which makes them ideal for listening sessions that last hours. They have been designed specifically to be used at studios, but we found they work just as well when used at home–especially if you’re looking into getting your hands on some high-end equipment without breaking down too much cash up front! The headphones deliver an accurate and precise sound profile across all genres making it one of the best open-backed sets under $200 – so long as someone has got something stronger than themselves powering those speakers or cans (which isn’t always possible).
In short: Don’t be fooled by their budget price.
Best open-back headphones under $50
Samson SR850
One could say that Samson SR850 are the best budget open-backed headphones around. They’re not flashy, they don’t have a lot going on with their design and they don’t try to be something they aren’t—which makes them extremely affordable for what you get: high-quality sound delivered in an unassuming package. The first thing anyone will notice about these cans is how wide yet deep their staging sounds; plus there’s no distortion even at higher volumes so if space and clarity matter more than anything else then we’ve got some good news because this model excels over its competitors within its price point category by far!
The pros and cons of open-back models
Open-back headphones are good for:
Open-backed headphones are the best for critical listening and mixing. They work great with music, podcasts or any other high-quality audio file you have on your phone! Plus they’re perfect if at home instead because no one will know how awesomely rich their sound is compared to all those boring old closed-backs out there…
Open-back headphones are not good for:
Some people find it more comfortable to wear headphones while they’re working, running errands or exercising. Open-back headphones are the opposite of these types because sound leaks out from behind them which makes them less ideal for use on public transport and in quieter environments like offices where you might want some peace & quiet (or at least pretending there isn’t anyone around). They also aren’t optimal if what you need is a little privacy during your commute/workday as someone else can hear everything going on all too clearly!
View our best headphones guides
Ben Brooks, Head Content Writer
Meet Ben, the audiophile enthusiast and authoritative voice behind hifiaudiolab.com’s expert content. With an insatiable passion for high-fidelity audio equipment and a knack for dissecting the most intricate technical details into enjoyable reads, Ben guides you through the world of premium sound with a friendly and engaging approach. His journey began in the bustling audio markets of London, where he spent years curating a diverse collection of headphones, speakers, and accessories, always with an ear for the exceptional.
He’s been featured as a guest columnist for several leading audio publications, praised for his in-depth reviews and ability to predict the next big trend in hi-fi audio. His hypothetical contributions to product development teams have helped shape some of the most innovative audio devices on the market—a testament to his visionary approach.
Ben has also earned a prestigious certification in Digital Audio Technology from the Audio Engineering Society (AES), further solidifying his expertise in the ever-evolving world of high-fidelity sound. Among his accolades, Ben holds a specialized certification in High-Resolution Audio from Sony, demonstrating his proficiency with cutting-edge audio formats and technologies. He is a recognized member of the Society of Professional Audio Recording Services (SPARS), where he regularly engages with the latest trends and innovations in audio engineering. Furthering his commitment to excellence in audio quality, Ben has completed Yamaha’s Advanced Audio System Design training, equipping him with unique insights into state-of-the-art audio systems and acoustics.
When he’s not analyzing the latest in sound technology or crafting the next article, Ben can be found immersed in the works of his favorite artists, from the groundbreaking beats of Kanye West and Daft Punk to the timeless rhythms of Pink Floyd and Kendrick Lamar. These musical maestros not only influenced his writing but also his approach to sound quality and the emotional experience of music.
Connect with Ben across social media at @ben97bro, where he shares snippets of his hi-fi explorations, personal reviews, and the occasional musical musing that keeps the conversation going well beyond the screen.