Top 30 Open Back Headphone Brands in 2024

The most popular brands for Open Back Headphone Includes Sony, Sennheiser, AKG, HIFIMAN, Koss, beyerdynamic, Skullcandy, Audeze, Grado, Stax among many others.

1

Sony

Popular Brand

Shortly after World War 2, Masaru Ibuka founded the Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K., a telecommunications and engineering corporation. He wanted technology to contribute to Japan’s culture and future. Despite starting small, he never gave up and stressed the importance of doing what had not been done before. As the brand evolved to become what we know as Sony, it has created countless novel products that changed the electronics industry.

2

Sennheiser

Popular Brand

Sennheiser is the future of audio. They believe they can change their users' auditory experience with their exceptional products and top-notch technology. Sound is everywhere, and we live and breathe in it. They aim to shape the future of audio by creating a unique experience for their customers. The company has been thriving in the industry for over 75 years and is still very ambitious. They are driven by a sense of passion and pure love for the sounds of the world.

3

AKG

Popular Brand

AKG Acoustics is a well-known maker of microphones, headphones, wireless audio systems, and other audio equipment. Since 1947, the firm has been producing professional and consumer-quality headphones and microphones. They have been creating and world manufacturing items for top experts in the music business and customers worldwide since 1947. Their items are designed with a desire for perfection and the best quality. They are known for producing superior microphones, wireless audio systems, and headphones with unrivaled sound quality.

4

HIFIMAN

Best Brand

HIFIMAN deals with the world of sound. They craft premium earphones, headphones, and amplifiers. The latest technologies are used to enhance the sound experience. HIFIMAN also pays a lot of attention to the looks of the products. A sleek finish and an original design mark the brand of HIFIMAN. They have a collection of products that you can choose from. The consistent quality of its products and several improvements have helped the company stand tall in the market.

5

Koss

Best Brand

John C. Koss established Koss in 1958. Koss pioneered elevated driver units and rare earth magnets in stereo headphones, which are still popular today from a modest basement workshop. Today, Koss provides consumers worldwide with a complete variety of award-winning portable stereophones, computer headsets, and home entertainment systems. A desire to develop the best quality, comfortable and long-lasting items drive them. They have a variety of headphones available, ranging from sports headphones to easy on-the-go use.

6

beyerdynamic

Best Brand

Beyerdynamic is a more powerful brand in audio technology. Customers appreciate precision, expertise, and experience from the organization. Beyerdynamic's product line includes headphones and headsets with microphones to recreate the sound as perfectly as possible. Whether listening to music, creating a podcast, or recording in the studio, Beyerdynamic headphones and headsets deliver excellent sound. The headphones include great audio, an excellent frequency response, and a steady stereo picture. The headsets have noise-canceling microphones for clear conversation and a comfortable fit even after lengthy usage.

7

Skullcandy

Best Brand

SkullCandy is known for its sharp taste in music. They are on a mission to make people believe that music can heal people, and they want to make the experience of music indoors and outdoors magical. The company was founded at the intersection of broad sports and music, so they specialize in making musical products on the go. You can enjoy your favorite music when doing an outdoor activity or sport. All their products are very reliable and durable.

8

Audeze

Best Brand

Having good audio quality is not only necessary for good communication but also the protection of your ears. Audeze takes...

9

Grado

Grado Labs manufactures the world's most enormous headphones and cartridges. They sold different electronics parts and later began selling elevated...

10

Stax

Taking care of all your audio needs, Stax brings you high-quality electrostatic audio systems. The audiophile in you will be...

11

Focal

Focal is a leading manufacturer of professional speakers and headphones. Each one is handcrafted using only the finest materials in...

12

Philips

Credibility and reliability go connected at the hip with the most innovative health and well-being brand, Philips. There are presumably...

13

Kz

The brand KZ is an ode to its founders, but more importantly, it stands for Knowledge Zenith. KZ. Audio offers...

14

ULTRASONE

ULTRASONE creates, manufactures, and sells the best quality headphones and headsets. They produce sustainable audio products for the consumers using...

15

Coby

Coby is a global brand recognized for quality technology and stylish design within its gadgets, accessories, and goods. It's all...

16

1more

1more is a brand that expresses itself through headphones. Their expertise is Buds with Noise Canceling Headphones. Buds are manufactured...

17

Cowin

Do you need headphones? Cowin's products are among the best-selling products on amazon. The website is user-friendly and provides detailed...

18

Nakamichi

Nakamichi is a line of solid audio equipment made with the best components and materials to produce precise, sharp sound....

19

Monoprice

Monoprice is an affordable brand that offers high-quality cables used in PCs and home theatre systems. They also provide other...

20

Insignia

Insignia manufactures a range of electronic products, including TVs and headphones. They also carry other items like home theatre systems...

21

AUSDOM

Ausdom is an international audio and video conferencing company founded in 2014. Their products include the well-known audio bases BW01...

22

House of Marley

House of Marley is a premium audio brand with a long history in the industry. They've created various inventions, such...

23

FRESHETECH

Settled in Orlando, FL, in 2013, Freshetech is the primary assembling industry. The organization plans production and sells extraordinary purchaser...

24

Fostex

Fostex is an electronics firm that produces loudspeakers and audio equipment for other companies or sells them under the "Fostex"...

25

SoundMAGIC

SoundMAGIC is a company that manufactures high-quality headphones that promise superior sound and a completely immersive experience. Their company's vision...

26

Monolith

Monolith Edition has brought so much for people to become passionate about gaming. You can experience the adventures with Fight...

27

Maxell

Maxell is a global leader in world-class energy and storage devices. They were among the first businesses to popularise the...

28

Jazwares

Jazwares, Inc. is a toy company that creates, manufactures, sells, and licenses a wide variety of toys and accessories for...

29

Shure

Shure is a renowned maker of microphones, headphones, and audio equipment for the professional and consumer industries. They are a...

30

Master & Dynamic

Motivated by what they create, Master & Dynamic strives to create the best possible technologies in order to better their...

Open Back Headphones Buying Guide

If you’re looking for the best headphones for audio quality and soundstage, open-back headphones are the way to go. They let air flow freely through their back to create a more natural and spacious audio. However, choosing the best open-back headphones for your needs can be a bit tricky since there are so many models available in the market. In this guide, we’ll discuss what to look for when buying open-back headphones and recommend some of the best models out there.

What are Open-Back Headphones?

As the name suggests, open back headphones have open backs. This means that the earcups aren’t sealed which allows air to move freely in and out of them. This results in more natural audio that’s not confined to the space that’s in front of your ears. With open-back headphones, a more extensive and spacious audio experience is obtained.

Open-back headphones are commonly used in environments where there isn’t a lot of background noise to compete with. Since they don’t seal off external noises, they’re best used in quiet rooms or controlled environments where the ambient noise is limited. Some recommended applications for open-back headphones are professional audio production, home stereo listening, and critical listening.

Advantages of Open-Back Headphones

There are several reasons why open-back headphones are a popular choice for many audio enthusiasts. These include:

Better Soundstage

The main benefit of open-back headphones is the natural sound they produce. The lack of a sealed back allows for air movement between the diaphragm and the external environment, resulting in a more spacious soundstage. The soundstage refers to the perception of the dimensions, space, and localization of sound. Open-back headphones are unparalleled when it comes to providing a broad, well-defined soundstage.

Less Ear Fatigue

With open-back headphones, there is less build-up of pressure inside the ear cups, which can cause fatigue and discomfort over long listening sessions. This is mainly due to the free flow of air, which keeps the ear cups at neutral or close-to-neutral pressure. Open-back headphones are also more breathable, which allows your ears to cool off faster during use, and the chance of getting sweaty is lesser.

Better Audio Quality

Open-back headphones tend to produce more balanced and accurate sound than their closed-back counterparts. The natural sound they produce brings out previously unheard details in the reproduced audio, which is helpful when mixing and mastering music or even watching movies. This makes open-back headphones great for critical listening, where accuracy and attention to detail are essential.

Disadvantages of Open-Back Headphones

Like every other product, open-back headphones are not without their drawbacks. Some of these include:

External Noise Interference

Since the earcups of open-back headphones are not sealed, sound can easily leak in and out of them. This makes them not suitable for use in noisy environments or places where external sounds can interfere with the listening experience.

Sensitivity to Feedback

The free flow of air in open-back headphones makes them highly sensitive to feedback noise from surrounding devices like speakers or microphones. This can cause a screeching sound when the headphones are placed close to other electronics.

Less Bass Response

Because open-back headphones aren’t sealed, they have a weaker bass response compared to closed-back headphones. This may be a turnoff for bass lovers who prefer a more robust and thumping bass.

Factors to Consider When Buying Open-Back Headphones

When looking for open-back headphones, several factors need to be taken into consideration to get the best bang for your buck. These include:

Sound Quality

This is probably the most important factor you should consider when getting open-back headphones. Sound quality is subjective, and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, it’s advisable to listen to different pairs of open-back headphones before making your final decision.

Comfort

Since open-back headphones are designed for long listening sessions, comfort is an important factor to consider. You should look for pairs of headphones that have comfortable ear cups and headbands to prevent ear and head fatigue.

Price

Open-back headphones come in different price ranges. Therefore, it’s essential to set a budget before embarking on a hunt for the perfect pair. Don’t forget to factor in add-ons like cables and adaptors, as this can significantly increase the final price of the headphones.

Impedance

The impedance of headphones is an essential factor to consider when getting your open-back headphones. Generally, headphones with low impedance are easier to drive and don’t need external amplification. An optimal impedance range for open-back headphones is 20 to 50 ohms.

Brand Reputation

The brand reputation is also an essential factor to consider when buying open-back headphones. Established brands usually have a better reputation for producing high-quality open-back headphones that stand the test of time. This doesn't mean newer brands do not have good headphones, but established brands have better service when it comes down to warranty and after-sales needs.

Best Open-Back Headphones

Here are our recommendations for the best open-back headphones:

Sennheiser HD 660 S

The Sennheiser HD660 S is a popular open-back headphone that delivers crisp and well-balanced sound. This headphone is optimized for use with high-resolution music files and has a soundstage that’s unmatched in its price range. The earcups are padded with soft foam for comfortable listening sessions, and the headband is adjustable to fit a wide range of head sizes.

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is an excellent headphone for mastering, mixing, and critical listening. It has a high-quality Tesla driver that delivers a transparent and precise sound, and the soundstage is exceptional. The ear cups are velour-covered to provide maximum comfort, and the headband is made of soft leather for a comfortable fit.

Audeze LCD-2

The Audeze LCD-2 is a premium open-back headphone with a design that guarantees maximum comfort. It has large planar magnetic drivers that produce a detailed and natural sound, and the design allows for reduced pressure on the scalp and ears. This headphone is perfect for audiophiles who want to enjoy music in a natural and spacious soundstage.

Grado SR325e

The Grado SR325e is a high-end open-back headphone that’s ideal for music lovers who want a crisp and clear sound. It has an aluminum housing that reduces distortion, and the drivers are positioned at a specific angle to achieve a vast and deep soundstage. The earpads are soft and comfortable, and the headphone has a metal headband that’s adjustable to fit different head sizes.

AKG K712 PRO

The AKG K712 PRO is a high-end open-back headphone that’s ideal for music production and critical listening. It has large dynamic drivers that deliver a detailed and transparent sound, and the earcups are padded with soft leather to provide maximum comfort. The headphone also has an adjustable headband and a detachable cable for easy replacement.

Conclusion

Open-back headphones are excellent for audiophiles who want to enjoy natural and spacious audio. When purchasing open-back headphones, you need to consider factors like sound quality, comfort, price, impedance, and brand reputation. Our recommendations for the best open-back headphones include Sennheiser HD 660 S, Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro, Audeze LCD-2, Grado SR325e, and AKG K712 PRO. Ensure you test-drive different models before making your final purchase.

Categories Similar to Open Back Headphone

Top similar topics to Open Back Headphone Includes Headphones, Professional Headphones, Open Headphones among many others.