In the world of audio, open-back headphones deliver expansive, lifelike, high-fidelity sound. This style of headphone is lauded by audiophiles for a listening experience that gets close to the sound of speakers in a room, and in some cases, like live performers on a stage. They tend to be larger than other over-ear headphones, and other people near you can easily hear what you’re listening to. But for the most absorbing headphone experience, open back is hard to beat.
What are Open-Back Headphones?
Open-back headphones are large, over-the-ear headphones that lack a covering on the outside of their ear cup. This lets some of the sound created by their drivers radiate out into the world. A fraction of that sound bounces off walls and makes its way back to your ears. This gives the headphones a more natural soundscape or “soundstage”.
For comparison, a traditional closed-back headphone may have a soundstage no larger than your ears. Instruments coming from the left or right sound no farther than the headphones themselves. With open-back headphones, the instruments in that same song may sound like they’re coming from well beyond your shoulders. In this way, they tend to mimic listening to speakers in a room better than closed-back headphones.
Best Open-Back Headphones
Open-back models may be typically seen as high-end audiophile headphones, but there are many excellent options available at varying prices. Here are some of the best on the market today.
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Open-Back Reference Studio Headphones
Sennheiser’s HD 490 PRO headphones are tailored for the demands of modern music production. Their open-back design offers an expansive soundstage and precise imaging, allowing producers and engineers to accurately assess their mixes. Featuring Sennheiser’s innovative Open-frame Architecture, these headphones deliver a balanced and transparent sound signature, ensuring accurate reproduction of audio material. The HD 490 PRO headphones are designed for comfort during extended studio sessions. They feature ergonomically angled ear cups and switchable ear pads for personalized sound characteristics. Equipped with advanced features such as the dearVR MIX-SE plugin, these headphones provide an immersive mixing experience for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
The wireless design of these Audio-Technica headphones will provide up to 60 hours of continuous use on a full charge. It also has a mic and buttons built into the left ear cup, so you can control calls, volume, and more with a single press. Even more impressive, it has a multipoint pairing function that allows you to stay connected to two Bluetooth devices at once. And, like most of the headphones on this list, its over-ear design will provide excellent sound isolation.
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Professional Reference Headphones
If you’re looking for a good choice for the audio professional, the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Professional Open-Back Reference Headphones are A-T’s flagship open-back models for the studio and anyone doing critical listening. The outside of the ear cups are an acoustically-transparent aluminum mesh, while the drivers use high-efficiency magnets for precise reproduction of high frequencies and a full, realistic sound. Their lightweight design and breathable fabric ear pads should make long listening sessions highly relaxing. They also feature a two-year warranty from Audio-Technica.
Shure SRH1840 Premium Headphones
For the ultimate in lifelike, high-quality sound with deep bass and clear treble, check out the Shure SRH1840 Premium Open-Back Headphones. The 40mm drivers are individually matched for precise stereo sound. To keep weight to a minimum but strength at a maximum, Shure used stainless steel and aircraft-grade aluminum alloys in the construction. Soft, velour-wrapped foam ear pads and a dual-frame ergonomic headband ensure a comfortable fit even during late-night, lights-off, extended listening sessions with your favorite albums.
Sennheiser HD 660S2 Open-Back Headphones
Sennheiser’s HD 660S2 headphones are a testament to audiophile-grade engineering. Their open-back design offers an expansive soundstage, allowing listeners to immerse themselves deeply into their music. With a balanced frequency response, these headphones deliver rich and accurate audio reproduction, perfect for critical listening and discerning ears. Crafted with premium materials, including a lightweight aluminum voice coil and neodymium magnets, they ensure remarkable clarity and detail across the spectrum. Sennheiser’s commitment to comfort is evident with plush velour ear pads and an adjustable headband, ensuring long listening sessions remain enjoyable.
Shure SRH1840 Premium Open-Back Headphones
Shure’s SRH1840 headphones represent the pinnacle of premium audio quality. Engineered with an open-back design, they offer an expansive soundstage and precise imaging, allowing listeners to discern even the subtlest details within their music. The SRH1840’s individually matched drivers and meticulously tuned acoustic enclosures ensure accurate frequency response and minimal distortion, resulting in a transparent and natural sound signature. Constructed from lightweight yet durable materials, including aircraft-grade aluminum alloy yokes and stainless steel grilles, these headphones provide exceptional comfort and long-term reliability. Whether used for critical listening, professional monitoring, or immersive musical enjoyment, the Shure SRH1840 headphones consistently deliver uncompromising audio performance and unparalleled clarity.
HiFiMan Edition XS Open-Back Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones
HiFiMan’s Edition XS headphones redefine the boundaries of planar magnetic audio technology. With an open-back design, they offer a spacious soundstage and precise instrument separation, enabling listeners to experience music with unparalleled depth and realism. Utilizing advanced planar magnetic drivers, these headphones deliver extended frequency response and low distortion, ensuring faithful reproduction of the audio signal. The Edition XS headphones feature a lightweight and ergonomic design, providing superior comfort for extended listening sessions. Whether used for critical listening at home or professional audio production in the studio, HiFiMan’s Edition XS headphones deliver uncompromising audio quality and immersive musical enjoyment.
Sony MDR-MV1 Open Back Reference Monitor Headphones
Sony’s MDR-MV1 headphones are renowned for their accuracy and reliability in professional audio monitoring. With an open-back design, they offer a natural soundstage and precise imaging, allowing engineers and producers to make critical mixing decisions with confidence. Equipped with large-aperture drivers and neodymium magnets, these headphones deliver exceptional clarity and detail across the frequency spectrum, ensuring accurate reproduction of audio material. The MDR-MV1 headphones feature a lightweight and comfortable design, making them ideal for extended studio sessions. Whether used for mixing, mastering, or critical listening, Sony’s MDR-MV1 headphones provide the accuracy and fidelity demanded by audio professionals.
Conclusion
The world of open-back headphones offers a diverse array of options catering to audiophiles, music producers, and critical listeners alike. Whether you seek immersive musical enjoyment, accurate studio monitoring, or uncompromising audio fidelity, these headphones deliver. Choose your perfect pair and immerse yourself in a world of sonic excellence.
