The 6 Best Open-Back Headphones - Spring 2021 Reviews

The Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best open-back headphones that we've tested. These well-built headphones are an amazing choice for neutral sound. They're also impressively comfortable, which means you won't feel fatigued after wearing them for longer periods.

Out-of-the-box, they have a very neutral, balanced sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content. Thanks to their open-back design, they have an outstanding passive soundstage performance, so you feel immersed in your favorite music. Thanks to their wired-only design, you don't have to worry about them running out of battery during your long listening sessions, which is nice.

Unfortunately, like many open-back headphones, they struggle to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, which may be disappointing if you love bass-heavy music like EDM. Also, they lack sound customization features or a microphone for phone calls. However, if you want to feel immersed in an open, spacious-sounding soundstage, they're a solid choice.

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 Philips Fidelio X2HR are the best headphones with an open-back design under $200 that we've tested. These headphones have good build quality, with metal accents to help reinforce their design, and detachable audio cables. They also have a comfortable fit thanks to their well-padded ear cups and automatically adjusting headband.

They have a very accurate and neutral sound profile suitable for most audio genres. While, like many open-back headphones, they lack a bit of low bass, they can still deliver suitable boom and punch to your mixes. They also have a spacious soundstage that sounds natural and as if coming from speakers placed around you, rather than as if coming from inside your head.

Unfortunately, they're prone to inconsistent treble delivery, so you may need to take time to adjust their fit and positioning to get a consistent sound each time you use them. They aren't the most versatile either as they don't isolate you from almost any noise around you, and they leak a lot of audio too. Still, if you're looking for more affordable open-back headphones, they're a suitable choice.

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 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 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.

Unfortunately, their low price point is reflected in their build quality. They feel very plasticky, and the fabric padding could 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.