The 6 Best Open-Back Headphones - Black Friday 2024

The best open-back headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. These premium dynamic driver headphones are the best for sound but are definitely an investment. Aside from the cost of the headphones, you'll need a powerful amp or audio interface to use them, which is an extra expense if you don't already have one. However, if you want the best, these create an outstanding passive soundstage that's natural, spacious, and open. They offer an excellent build quality and a very comfortable fit for most people, so you can listen for hours without experiencing much fatigue.

Although they lack a thumpy low-bass due to their open-back design, they have a bit of extra high-bass to add warmth to the mix. Instruments and vocals sound clear and natural. Overall, they have a neutral sound profile that's suitable for a variety of genres. However, if you want more bass, you might want headphones with planar magnetic drivers, like the HiFiMan Arya. Their design allows them to reproduce low-bass more accurately and improves their soundstage. However, the complex design of planar magnetic drivers means performance is more likely to vary between units. Their treble response is also brighter than the Sennheiser's, and while it helps you spot imperfections in mixes, sibilant sounds like cymbals seem piercing.

Also, the manufacturer has released a newer HiFiMan Arya with some slight changes. Known as the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version or Arya V3, they have updated drivers with Stealth Magnets, which the manufacturer advertises to improve their sound quality by reducing distortion and increasing transparency. These headphones have a very similar look and design to the original Arya. However, they have a bit more distortion present in the left driver.

If you want to save money, the HiFiMan Edition XS are worth checking out for a planar magnetic driver design that doesn't destroy your bank account. They aren't as well-built as the HiFiMan Arya or the Sennheiser HD 800 S or as comfortable for most people. Still, if you're seeking neutral sound, they have a more balanced treble response than the Arya, so sibilants like hi-hats are bright but not piercing. Voices and lead instruments are also present, detailed, and clear. They're also easier to drive than the HD 800 S, so you probably won't need a headphone amp with most devices.

The headphones create a soundstage that seems wide and fairly natural. However, it doesn't seem as natural or speaker-like as the previous, pricier picks. Their headband puts more pressure on your head than the other HiFiMan headphones recommended here, which can become uncomfortable during long listening sessions. That said, they have consistent audio delivery, so you don't need to worry too much about their sound changing depending on the headphones' fit and positioning on your head.

The best mid-range open-back headphones we've tested are the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. These are another pair of planar magnetic headphones with a comfortable, sturdy design, like the HiFiMan Edition XS. They're quite a bit cheaper, and the tradeoff is that they reproduce less low- and mid-bass, so your audio lacks rumble and punch compared to the previous pick. That said, their neutral high-bass response ensures your audio has warmth and fullness, and the rest of the frequency range is very well-balanced, with detailed, bright instruments that don't sound piercing.

Their passive soundstage seems open and spacious but doesn't feel as natural or out of head as the Edition XS'. Then again, their stretchy headband design makes them more comfortable for most people. It also means they're more prone to inconsistent audio delivery, so you may need to adjust their fit and positioning to get the same sound every time you wear them.

Audiophile headphones tend to take a hit in build quality once you get into the lower mid-range price point, but the Philips Fidelio X2HR avoid that pitfall. They have a good build quality, with some metal elements to help make the headphones more durable. That said, they use dynamic drivers, which is typical at this price point and helps keep them fairly lightweight, and in this case, they affect the headphones' passive soundstage performance. While their soundstage performance is still very good, it doesn't seem as wide or immersive as the HiFiMan Sundara 2020.

Like most open-back headphones, their sound lacks low-bass, but there's a bit of overemphasis in the mid- to high-bass range that adds a bit of extra warmth and boom. The rest of the response is neutral, so voices and instruments are reproduced accurately. They have a more comfortable fit for most people than higher-priced options like the HiFiMan Edition XS, thanks to their self-adjusting stretchy headband that helps distribute their weight.

If you want to dip your toes into the world of open-backs, try the Superlux HD 681. These entry-level over-ears are semi-open-back headphones. This design means they leak less audio than their fully open counterparts, like the Philips Fidelio X2HR, and block out slightly more ambient sound, although you'll still hear most sound around you. At the same time, they can create a more open, wide, and immersive soundstage than closed-back headphones.

These comfortable headphones have a fairly neutral sound and reproduce more low-bass than other picks on this list. While vocals and instruments are clear and natural, sibilants like hi-hats are piercing. Since they're budget-level cans, their build quality isn't very good, and they feel plasticky. For more durable headphones, it's worth considering the Philips SHP9600, which are better built and fully open-back but have a less neutral sound profile.

While you can use any of the previous picks for gaming, none come with a microphone, so if you don't have a standalone mic and want headphones with one built in, it's worth considering the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X instead. Their great boom mic makes your voice clear and natural over team chat. They can also create a wider and more spacious-seeming passive soundstage than most closed-back gaming headsets, although it won't feel as natural as what you get from the higher-end audiophile options on this list. That said, they still create an immersive audio experience.

They're very comfortable and come with a choice of microfiber or velour ear cup padding, which is nice if you have a preference. Their sound profile is well-balanced, with a bump in the high-bass range that helps emphasize boomy sound effects in games. However, they lack low-bass like most open-backs and don't have companion software with sound customization features like an EQ. If you like to fine-tune your audio using an app and value gamer-centric features like more extensive on-ear controls, consider the Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless. These open-backs can be used wirelessly as well as wired, which adds to their flexibility. They also have a better mic than the Drop + Sennheiser. On the other hand, the Turtle Beach aren't quite as comfortable as our pick, and their default sound isn't as well-balanced.