Open-back headphones deliver an immersive listening experience through their unique design. They can produce a wide and spacious soundstage that interacts with your surroundings and makes your listening experience more immersive. Unfortunately, they leak a lot of sound, even if you're listening to music at a reasonable level, and can distract people around you. They also struggle to reduce background noise in your environment because they aren't designed to isolate you. If you're looking for something for mixed-use, check out our recommendations for closed-back headphones. However, this is the place to be if you're seeking a great sounding experience from your headphones.
We've tested over 825 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the six best headphones with an open-back design that you can buy. If you're still looking for more headphones, look at our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones and the best headphones for music.
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Best Open-Back Headphones
Sports And Fitness5.9Travel4.9Office Work3.4Wireless Gaming (In Development)4.8Wired Gaming (In Development)6.9Performance Usages: Audio Reproduction Accuracy8.4Noise Isolation1.4Microphone (In Development)0Frequency Response Consistency8.4Bass AmountSlightly Underemphasized (-3 dB)Treble AmountBalanced (0 dB)Sound SignatureFlatType Over-EarEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoThe 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 extension, you might want headphones with planar magnetic drivers, like the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version. Their design allows them to reproduce low-bass more accurately and improves their soundstage. The complex design of planar magnetic drivers means performance is more likely to vary between units, and they're heavier, which can feel tiresome over a long session compared to the Sennheiser.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Open-Back Headphones
Sports And Fitness6.2Travel5.2Office Work3.5Wireless Gaming (In Development)4.6Wired Gaming (In Development)6.7Performance Usages: Audio Reproduction Accuracy8.3Noise Isolation1.9Microphone (In Development)0Frequency Response Consistency8.3Bass AmountSlightly Underemphasized (-1 dB)Treble AmountBalanced (0 dB)Sound SignatureBalancedType Over-EarEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoIf you want to save some cash, the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are worth checking out for a dynamic driver design that won't destroy your bank account. They aren't as well-built as our top pick, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, but the HD 490 PRO are still an excellent choice for listeners who prefer a balanced sound. They have a bit more bass than the HD 800 S and a slightly different tuning in the treble range, but vocals and instruments are still present, detailed, and clear. They're easier to drive than the HD 800 S, so you likely won't need a headphone amp with most devices.
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. They also have a second set of earpads that change the sound signature a bit, meaning you have access to some extra physical customizability. Plus, if you wear glasses, the ear pads have contours meant to fit around them without negatively affecting the bass response.
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Best Mid-Range Open-Back Headphones
Sports And Fitness5.9Travel4.5Office Work3.0Wireless Gaming (In Development)4.6Wired Gaming (In Development)6.6Performance Usages: Audio Reproduction Accuracy8.0Noise Isolation0.7Microphone (In Development)0Frequency Response Consistency7.9Bass AmountSlightly Underemphasized (-3 dB)Treble AmountSlightly Underemphasized (-2 dB)Sound SignatureFlatType Over-EarEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer Planar MagneticNoise Cancelling NoMic NoThe best mid-range open-back headphones we've tested are the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. These are a pair of planar magnetic headphones with a comfortable, sturdy design. They're quite a bit cheaper than the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, but the tradeoff is that they underdeliver in low- and mid-bass, so your audio lacks rumble and punch compared to the previous pick. That said, their 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.
Some listeners may prefer their stretchy headband design, which can make them quite comfortable, but they clamp harder and weigh more than the HD 490 PRO. Their accompanying accessories are a bit more sparse which can add up as extra costs, too; you only get a single set of ear pads, and the Y-cable is less convenient than the locking cable on the HD 490 PRO.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Open-Back Headphones
Sports And Fitness6.2Travel4.9Office Work3.4Wireless Gaming (In Development)4.5Wired Gaming (In Development)6.6Performance Usages: Audio Reproduction Accuracy8.1Noise Isolation1.6Microphone (In Development)0Frequency Response Consistency8.3Bass AmountUnderemphasized (-4 dB)Treble AmountBalanced (0 dB)Sound SignatureFlatType Over-EarEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoAudiophile headphones tend to take a hit in performance once you get into the lower mid-range price point, but the Sennheiser HD 560S avoid that pitfall. These have a decent, albeit more plasticky, build quality and use dynamic drivers, which is typical at this price point and helps keep them fairly lightweight compared to the chunkier HiFiMan Sundara 2020. That said, the Sennheiser are more stable, so if you're an active listener, that's a bonus, and they feel comfortable for long sessions.
Like most open-back headphones, their sound lacks a little low-bass thump, but there's a bit of emphasis in the mid- to high-bass range that adds some extra warmth and boom to kick drums. The overall response is balanced though, so voices and instruments are reproduced accurately. Even so, if you prefer a slightly warmer top-end, the HiFiMan might be preferable.
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Best Budget Open-Back Headphones
Neutral Sound7.9Commute/Travel4.1Sports/Fitness5.1Office4.8Wireless Gaming4.3Wired Gaming6.2Phone Calls1.8Type Over-earEnclosure Semi-OpenWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoIf you want to dip your toes into the world of open-backs without investing too much, 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 Sennheiser HD 560S, and block out slightly more ambient sound, although you'll still hear most noise around you. At the same time, they can create a more open, wide, and immersive soundstage than closed-back headphones.
These comfortable headphones reproduce similar amounts of low-bass as other picks on this list, though they're certainly considerably brighter overall than the Sennheiser HD 560S. While vocals and instruments are clear and natural, sibilants like hi-hats are relatively piercing. As you'd expect from budget-level cans, their build quality isn't very good, and they feel somewhat flimsy and plasticky. For more durable headphones, it's worth considering the Philips SHP9500, which are better built and fully open-back but cost a bit more.
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Best Open-Back Headphones For Gaming
Sports And Fitness5.9Travel4.8Office Work5.7Wireless Gaming (In Development)5.6Wired Gaming (In Development)7.6Performance Usages: Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.6Noise Isolation1.7Microphone (In Development)8.0Frequency Response Consistency7.6Bass AmountUnderemphasized (-4 dB)Treble AmountSlightly Underemphasized (-3 dB)Sound SignatureFlatType Over-EarEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesWhile 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.
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 an accurate mid-range for easily parsing out dialogue. However, they lack low-bass like most open-backs, and the treble is a bit dull. Like the wired-only headphones on this list, they lack 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. 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.
Notable Mentions
- Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO:
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are lower mid-range headphones with a better build quality than the Sennheiser HD 560S and a more full-bodied sound thanks to their added high-bass, which some users may prefer. However, their passive soundstage isn't as immersive, and their audio cable isn't detachable, so if it gets damaged, you'll have to replace the entire unit.
See our review - HiFiMan Edition XS:
The HiFiMan Edition XS are a solid contender to the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. While they both use planar magnetic drivers, the Edition XS create a soundstage that feels more spacious and immersive. However, the Sundara 2020 sport a comfier fit with their flexible headband and a bit more stability for listeners that move with their music.
See our review - Philips Fidelio X2HR:
The Philips Fidelio X2HR are wired headphones with a balanced sound similar to the Sennheiser HD 560S. The Philips headphones are built better and have a wider feeling passive soundstage. However, the Sennheiser are better at controlling their sound profile, and you'll
have an easier time getting a consistent seal with them.
See our review - Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII:
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII are premium open-backs that are a bit more robustly built than the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO. Both headphones include extra ear pads and cables, but the Beyerdynamic include a case. Still, their frequency response isn't as smooth as the Sennheiser's, and due to the peaks and dips, the Beyerdynamic can push narrow frequencies to 'pop' out a bit more, but if you like the Beyerdynamic sound, it's a refined take.
See our review - Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO:
The Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO is a gaming headset with a boom mic that compares favorably to the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X, and it depends on your listening preferences, but the tuning has a bit more high-bass and low-mid emphasis and a brighter top-end than the PC38X. Otherwise, the headset weighs slightly more, though the main difference depends on your sound profile preference.
See our review
Recent Updates
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We've updated this article to include the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet as an alternative to the Sennheiser HD 800 S and edited the text for clarity. We've added the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII and Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO to the Notable Mentions list.
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We've made some changes to our picks. The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO replace the HiFiMan Edition XS, as they're more stable and control their sound profile better. The Sennheiser HD 560S replace the Philips Fidelio X2HR for the same reasons. Both previous picks were migrated to the Notable Mentions section.
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Sep 18, 2024 : The Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless are now mentioned in the 'Best Open-Back Headphones For Gaming' category because you can use them wirelessly, and they come with a companion app that lets you tailor the sound to your preferences.
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Jun 26, 2024 : The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO have been added to this article as a Notable Mention. Otherwise, there are minor text edits.
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May 01, 2024 : We've checked our text for accuracy and product availability, but there hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones with an open-back design for most people to buy. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for open-back headphones. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste and preference will matter more in your selection.
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Comments
Best Open-Back Headphones: Main Discussion
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
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- 21010
Hi there, After speaking with our testers and consulting other reviews, I can confirm this TV doesn’t currently support HDR10+. While most recent Hisense and Vizio TVs support both, only the Android TCLs do, and even then only some of them. Unfortunately, we aren’t sure if it’s a limitation of Roku or just a design decision by TCL.
Thanks for checking Dylan
- 21010
Hi there, Sorry for the delayed response. I’m glad you were able to figure out the issue! With regards to deleting your post, that’s entirely up to you! Chances are though, someone else might end up experience this issue and your post could be extremely helpful to them! In either case, we appreciate it! :)
Thanks Dylan.
The more I think about it the more I wished Samsung would advertise that it can pass DOLBY MAT over ARC. That would be really helpful to know for someone with an older AVR that does support Dolby Atmos, but not eARC. I wonder if it’s a feature unique to 2021 Samsung TVs.
You guys are awesome. Take care
- 21010
Not sure if I should delete this post, but I found out what the problem was: I had my Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box hooked up between the AVR and TV eARC port, which can only handle HDMI 2.0 ARC audio. Once I removed the box I was able to get full 7.1 PCM from my PS5, and Dolby MAT/ TrueHD from my Xbox one X. I am still surprised about the automatic lossy compression that the QN90A is doing. When I use ARC on my Q9FN then the Xbox refuses to turn on Dolby Atmos since ARC does not support uncompressed or losslessly compressed Dolby Atmos. The only reason I think it works on the QN90A is because the Xbox is sending out a Dolby MAT signal, and the TV is then compressing it before passing it on to the AVR. I wish my Q9FN could do that, since I leave the Xbox connected to the TV so I can use VRR.
- 21010
Hi shawd1, So, the new game bar makes it easier to access Game Mode Settings and adjust things like aspect ratio, as well as check input lag and frame rate. If you want to see what it looks like though, there’s a picture of it in our settings.
Thanks Dylan
- 32120
Thanks for the quick follow up Dylan. I guess the only way to test it would be to send a 4K 120Hz 12-bit RGB signal, which to my knowledge none of the next gen consoles support. I used to be under the assumption that you needed 48 Gbps for 4K 120Hz with HDR10, because I saw each CTLE Channel on my LG 65SM9500 use 14.835 Gbps; which means all 3 combined would require about 45 Gbps:
But I must be misunderstanding something since the Xbox Series only supports 40 Gbps. I’m guessing the diagnostic screen is not showing the actual TMDS link.
- 21010
Have you changed hdmi icon on pc in control panel?
Not when I had the Xbox Series S connected. My new theory is that the Xbox SS is sending some kind of weird CEC signal that is disabling Local dimming, and also messes with ALLM, keeping the TV from switching out of game mode automatically. I was also trying different resolutions and refresh rates to see if the signal using Fixed Rate Link (FRL) or Transition-minimized differential signaling (TMDS) would disable local dimming. It did not make a difference on my PS5 or Xbox SS.
- 21010
Thanks for the qualification Dylan
- 21010
I can confirm that 4K at 120Hz works on my LG 65SM9500. I took some pictures of the HDMI diagnostics screen:
I was surprised to see full RGB at 10bit, in SDR and HDR. Sadly VRR doesn’t seem to work, at least from what I was able to test on my Xbox Series S. I can see the Hertz fluctuate in games when using 1080p/1440p@120 and 4K60, but the number doesn’t move when set to 4K120. At first I thought it might be an LFC issue, but even 120fps games like Ori and SW Squadrons stay at 119Hz when the Xbox is set to 4K. Not sure if this is a limitation of the TV or the console since the same thing happens on my Samsung Q900R.
One weird thing I noticed, that wasn’t mentioned in the RTINGS review is that Local Dimming is disabled and unavailable when receiving a 120hz signal. Or at least that’s what happens when I set my Xbox SS to 4K120. On my PS5 the Local Dimming setting isn’t greyed out at 120Hz. I wonder if it has something to do with the Xbox sending full RGB, and the PS5 only 4:2:2 at 4K120. Or maybe the TV thinks the Xbox is a PC and goes into monitor mode. Either way I am not complaining since I would recommend turning off local dimming in game mode anyway; or any mode at night time. I still can’t fathom why the algorithm is so atrocious on LG TVs. I have a Vizio P55-E1 which also has an IPS panel with a similar FALD Zone count and I never see this kind of blooming, or those slow zone transitions.
Let me know if there is anything else I can test, or if interested in a mini-review.
Edited 4 years ago: More information - 21010
Not sure how to post pictures here, but I uploaded a picture of the Chroma 444 test image that I had opened up in my Xbox Series S’s web browser:
In person it looks fine, but the uploaded picture seems to be a bit compressed and doesn’t look right. Let me know if there is a better way to test 4:4:4 at 4K120 properly.
- 21010
Thanks Adam
- 21010
Thanks Adam
- 21010
Fair enough. I wish Samsung was more transparent when it comes to model differences. Thanks Adam
- 21010
Any chance you could buy and test the 32" frame, seeing that it has been heavily discounted? Maybe test it as a monitor like with the 48" CX, that way we could vote on it in the monitor section.
- 21010
Thanks Adam
- 21010
Thanks Adam
- 21010
Thanks Adam
- 10-100
I also suspect that it’s a setting that Vizio just left in for no reason. Thanks for the quick reply Adam.
- 10-100
Thanks Marc
Edited 6 years ago: Clean Up