The 7 Best Open-Back Headphones - Winter 2021 Reviews

The Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best open-back headphones that we've tested. They feature an eye-catching design and feel very durable, with a metal and high-grade plastic construction. Thanks to their spacious ear cups, lined in a premium-feeling suede-like material, they deliver a very consistent listening experience, regardless of their wearer’s head shape.

Their sound profile is very neutral, with impressive treble accuracy and extremely even mids; vocals, lead-instruments, and any other higher-frequency sounds will be very clear. That said, fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop might prefer a little more thump and kick. Thankfully, they provide a very large, spacious, and natural soundstage.

Unfortunately, their very high price puts them out of reach for most. Their bulky design also means that listeners with smaller heads might find them a little too cumbersome to wear for extended periods. Finally, if you want to get the most from these headphones, you’ll need an amplifier. If none of that presents an issue, these are an excellent pair of open-ears capable of providing an outstanding listening experience with excellent build quality.

The best open-back headphones for gaming that we’ve tested are the Astro A40 TR + MixAmp Pro 2019. Thanks to their relatively open soundstage and great stereo imaging performance, they should provide a highly immersive gaming experience. They're also very well-built and quite comfortable, with generously-padded ear cups and a headband that effectively distributes their weight.

These over-ears come in PC/PS4 as well as Xbox One compatible variants, so you can find a model to suit your needs. Their MixAmp controller is a hugely convenient addition for gamers, as it allows you to adjust volume and chat mixing, cycle EQ presets, and enable Dolby Surround Sound on-the-fly. Their boom microphone makes your voice sound clear, full-bodied, and mostly free of background noise, even in loud environments.

Their sound profile is quite well-balanced, except for their uneven treble response. Thankfully, that can be adjusted via a graphic EQ or audio presets in their Astro Command Center companion software. If you're looking for gaming headphones that can allow you to immerse yourself fully in your game while still offering a wide variety of configuration options, these are a good choice.

The best headphones with an open-back design under $200 that we've tested are the Philips Fidelio X2HR. These sleek headphones have a good mix of plastic and metal components, which makes them look high-end. They're also very comfortable, with spacious and well-padded ear cups and a self-adjusting headband so you're able to wear them for long periods of time without feeling too much fatigue. 

They have a well-balanced sound profile with an outstandingly neutral mid-range, so vocals and lead instruments sound present and accurate. They also deliver audio consistently and have a spacious and open soundstage, which helps create a more immersive audio experience. They come with a detachable TRS cable too, and while it may be a little too long to easily take with you on-the-go, it can be replaced if it breaks or gets damaged. 

On the downside, they're quite bulky, which makes it a bit more tricky to carry around with you. Due to their uneven treble, some users may find vocals and lead instruments sound slightly dull or veiled. Still, these no-frills headphones offer a balanced sound profile at a more cost-friendly price. 

The Philips SHP9500 are the best budget open-back headphones that we've tested. These affordable over-ears are very comfortable, thanks to their spacious, well-padded ear cups and lightweight build. While they're very simple and straightforward, they offer great value for their neutral sound performance. 

They have an impressively well-balanced sound profile, and although they struggle to produce low-bass like many open-back headphones, they're suitable for a variety of audio content. Their mid-range is especially neutral, so vocals and lead instruments sound present and accurate. They have a spacious and open soundstage, so audio feels like it's coming from out in front of you rather than from inside your head, which results in a more immersive experience. 

On the downside, their low price-point is reflected in their build quality. They feel very plasticky, and the fabric padding could particularly be more prone to wear and tear over time. They're also bulky and lack a carrying case or pouch to help protect them when not in use. However, if you're shopping on a budget and you don't mind their plastic design, they're a suitable choice for those who like neutral sound.