The 6 Best Open-Back Headphones - Fall 2021 Reviews

The best open-back headphones that we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. These well-built wired headphones have an incredible passive soundstage that's perceived to be large, natural, and spacious. As a result, it seems more like audio is coming from speakers placed in front of you rather than from inside your head.

These headphones have a fairly neutral sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content. Vocals and lead instruments are reproduced clearly, though like most open-back headphones, they lack a bit of punch and thump in the bass range. Fortunately, they have a very comfortable fit, so you can enjoy long listening sessions without feeling a lot of fatigue.

Unfortunately, these headphones don't offer any sound customization features, and fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM may be disappointed by the lack of thumpy low-bass. Also, their wired-only design may be limiting for listeners who don't want to worry about tangled cables. That said, these headphones are still a solid choice for fans of neutral sound.

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 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 and 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 well-balanced, except for their uneven treble response. Thankfully, you can adjust it 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 spacious and natural soundstage that can help immerse you in your favorite audio. They also have good build quality, and their audio cable is detachable, so you can easily replace it if it gets damaged.

These headphones have a very accurate and neutral sound profile that makes vocals and lead instruments sound clear and detailed. Like most open-back headphones, they struggle to reproduce a thumpy-low bass, but they have a slight bump in the mid to high-bass to help add a bit of warmth and boom to your mixes. They also have a very comfortable fit with well-padded ear cups and an automatically adjusting headband, which is great for long listening sessions.

Unfortunately, they're a bit prone to inconsistent treble delivery, so you may need to adjust their fit and positioning each time you use them to get a more consistent sound. They're also not very versatile as they don't block out almost any background noise, and they leak a lot of audio at high volumes. That said, if you're looking for more wallet-friendly open-back headphones, they offer a neutral sound and a comfortable fit suitable for audiophiles.

The best budget open-back headphones that we've tested are the Philips SHP9500. These wallet-friendly headphones have a very good passive soundstage that feels open, spacious, and immersive. They also have a very comfortable fit that's well-padded and lightweight.

These headphones have a very well-balanced sound profile that's neutral enough to suit most kinds of audio content. Their mid-range is outstandingly flat, so vocals and lead instruments are reproduced clearly and accurately. Although most open-back headphones struggle to reproduce low-bass, and these are no exception, they also have a touch of extra boom to their sound, thanks to a slight bump in their high-bass.

Unfortunately, they have a plasticky build, and the fabric padding could easily rip over time, which is a little disappointing. They also lack a carrying case or pouch to help protect them when you're on the go. However, they offer a great neutral sound performance for users shopping on a budget.