Unlock the Power of Sound: Discover the Ideal
Headphones for You
Open-Back or Closed-Back?
Sound-Off: Open-Back Takes on Closed-Back Headphones
The journey to superior sound begins with understanding, whether that’s open-back or closed-back.
- Sound Quality: Open-back headphones excel in offering a more natural, spacious sound stage compared to closed-back headphones, perfect for audiophiles and music producers. Closed-back headphones, on the other hand, provide powerful bass and excellent sound isolation, making them ideal for noisy environments or private listening.
- Comfort: Open-back headphones often provide greater breathability, leading to increased comfort during long listening sessions. If comfort is your priority, the choice is clear.
- Versatility: While closed-back headphones are more common and versatile for outdoor usage due to their noise isolation, open-back headphones hold their ground in quiet indoor settings, offering an unparalleled immersive experience.
- Personal Preference: There's no one-size-fits-all answer in the 'Open Back vs Closed Back Headphones-Which One Is Better?' debate. Your choice should ultimately align with your personal preferences, listening environment, and purpose.
Are you torn between open and closed-back headphones? Closed-back headphones are perfect if you crave noise isolation and don’t want your music to leak out. However, if you’re after a more affordable choice that offers an open, lifelike sound, open-back headphones might be for you. They’re also great for workouts and sweat-prone situations, as they keep your ears cool and stop sweat from building up. Closed-back headphones shine in noisy situations or when you need to block out the world. Your unique needs and preferences are key.
In the vast world of headphones, choosing the best open-back headphones can be tricky.
But fret not, this guide is here to help.
Open Back Headphones - Top 5 Picks
GRADO SR80X
- Pros:
- Outstanding sound quality
- Integrated microphone and remote
- Extended comfort
- Lightweight design
- Cons:
- Limited noise isolation due to open-back design
- May not be suitable for noisy surroundings
- Some users find the design not as aesthetically pleasing
The Grados are made from aluminum and have a high-quality leather headband that makes them comfortable to wear for hours.
They also feature a built-in microphone and remote that allows you to control your music without taking them off your head!
HIFIMAN HE400SE
- Pros:
- Phenomenal sound quality
- Plush leather ear cups
- Deep bass response
- Excellent mids and highs
- Cons:
- Might feel bulky to some users
- Less effective noise isolation
- Relatively higher in price
HE400SE is one of the best open-back headphones on the market. It delivers incredible sound quality and has a good build quality.
The ear cups are made from leather and have been designed to fit perfectly on your head.
You will not experience any discomfort while wearing these headphones.
These headphones’ sound quality is fantastic and will make all your favorite songs sound like they were recorded in the studio.
The bass response is also excellent, as it gives you rich, punchy bass lines that can be felt even when listening at low volumes.
There is a lot of clarity in the mids and highs, making them very enjoyable to listen to music with.
SENNHEISER HD800S
- Pros:
- Superior high-performance sound
- Patented Hinge Technology
- Comfortable for long periods
- Available in multiple color options
- Cons:
- More expensive than others
- Size could be too large for some users
- Some users may prefer a more bass-oriented sound signature
The Sennheiser HD800S is a great pair of open-back headphones with excellent sound quality. The headphones are built with a single dynamic driver, which is used to provide high-performance sound. They also have a patented Hinge Technology that allows the ear cups to tilt forward by 90 degrees for maximum comfort and convenience.
Additionally, they come with an Ergonomic Shape Design that makes them easier to wear for long periods. This headphone is available in black and white color options and can be purchased from Amazon and other online retailers.
SIVGA P-Ⅱ
Pros: – Balanced and rich sound quality – Classic walnut wood design – High protein leather for comfort – 12-month warranty service
Cons: – Potentially bulky design – Specific sound profile may not appeal to all – Possibly more expensive than other options
The SIVGA PII is a mid-priced open-back headphone designed for audiophiles who want to hear their music how it was meant to be heard.
The SIVGA PII features lightweight, durable aluminum construction that allows it to fold into a compact size. The earcups are also interchangeable, allowing you to use them with any other headphones in your collection. The earcups feature a deep, ergonomic design that fits comfortably over your ears and provides superb sound isolation without any outside noise distractions.
The SIVGA PII comes with replaceable cables that include an analog cable, a USB cable (1 meter long), and a 3.5 mm jack adapter for wired listening when using the included cable. It also has an airline adapter for use during travel.
FOCAL UTOPIA
Pros: – Improved high-frequency linearity – Molds to face with carbon yokes – Openness from honeycomb grille – Comfort from lambskin memory foam
Cons: – May not suit all face shapes – Questions on overall sound balance – Potential higher price due to materials
The Focal Utopia is a headphone that’s designed for high-end sound quality. It’s an over-ear model that can be used with various devices, such as smartphones, computers, and more.
The Utopia has a closed-back design with soft padding around the earcups, making it comfortable to wear for long periods. It also has an adjustable headband that lets you easily fit the headphones to your head size.
These headphones have aluminum alloy housing and a silicone-coated diaphragm for accurate sound reproduction. They also have an attenuation switch to help reduce outside noise while listening to music or watching movies.
Closed Back Headphones - Top 5 Picks
SENNHEISER HD820
Pros: – Reference-grade audiophile sound – Innovative open-speaker replication – Immersive detail and soundstage – Premium build and luxurious comfort
Cons: – Wired-only connectivity – Closed design may not suit all – Potentially higher price point
The HD820 is a perfect choice among audiophiles for many reasons. The headphone is excellent to add to your collection that rests alongside the HD800s. It offers something different in sound presentation. The closed-back headphone type is very spacious and detailed.
It has an excellent design with the rigid build quality and innovative appearance and produces a detailed sound with transparency and clarity shown through frequencies. Even at the expensive price, it is a true gem for audiophiles.
MEZE AUDIO 99 CLASSICS
Pros: – Power efficient without needing amplification – Genuine wooden ear cups for isolation – Comfortable for long periods – Built with replaceable parts for longevity
Cons: – May require additional equipment – Wooden design may not suit all tastes – Included accessories may be unnecessary for some users
This is among the oldest audiophile additions, and despite all the new ones in the market, its popularity remains intact. It offers it all, beautiful design, good sound, and it is perfectly priced to boot.
The Meze 99 Classics are dynamic driver headphones and offer huge circumaural earcups. The earcups are wooden and add comfort, and are lightweight. They provide enough sealing to block out external noise. The headphones produce crisp, clear sounds to engage any music lover. The bass output is good enough with a clear and smooth midrange making it sound lush.
SONY MDR-Z1R
Pros: – Superior high-performance sound – Stable sound with resonance-free housing – Comfortable ergonomic ear pad design – Premium construction made in Japan
Cons: – Wired-only connectivity – May be expensive due to high-quality materials – Lack of accessories based on this description
Sony has always been in leading name in audio engineering and produces some of the best headphones on the market.
The brand’s focus is on high-res audio. The outcome is a robust IEM lineup and headphones offers a great competition to large audiophile companies like Hifiman and Audeze. Sony MDR-Z1R provides an uncompromising build quality with carbon fiber, lush leather, and metal. The sound profile has rich details, balanced tones, and deep-hitting bass. The mids are pleasant, provide depth and weight to the make vocals, and bring out the female vocal sparkle. They offer a large soundstage for a live listening experience.
BEYERDYNAMIC DT770 PRO
Pros: – Superior sound for professional mixing – Durable and robust workmanship – Superb sound reproduction across frequencies – Proven performance over 30 years
Cons: – Wired-only connectivity – Over-ear design may not suit all – Limited included accessories
Beyerdynamic is among the most renowned names in the world of audio electronics. The DT770 Pro represents great value and is usable like a gaming workhouse or studio headphone. The headphone is built to last long with their superb, long-lasting materials.
These headphones are commonly used in studios by professional musicians. You should go with the 250ohm version for better and more accurate sound. The headphone is an excellent choice for detailed and crisp sound.
SHURE SH 440
Pros: – Optimized for recording with enhanced frequency response – Closed-back and collapsible design – Adjustable headband for comfort – Secure bayonet clip for detachable cable
Cons: – May require professional devices for best performance – Coiled cable might not suit all – Closed-back design may limit some users’ preference
The quality of the customer service and speed of delivery was just fantastic – I know I can count on Shoptimizer every time!