If you prefer accurate and natural sound effects while gaming or want to keep a track of every footstep your enemies take, you need an open-back headphone. Open-back headphones might not be as good looking and attractive as the closed-back headphones but they definitely produce better sound.
These headphones do not have covered ear cups on the outer side, which allows the air to pass through them. This prevents the pressure from building up and helps deliver a more natural and clear sound. These breathable headphones are specifically designed for professionals and audiophiles.
If you are looking for headphones that can make you feel like you are in the game yourself, open-back headphones might be the best option for you. After extensive research, we have compiled a list of the best open-back headphones that can provide an immersive experience. Check these out and pick your favorite one!
| SiteStripe Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
  | GRADO SR60e Open-Back Wired Headphones | Buy on Amazon |
  | Audio-Technica Open-Air Headphones | Buy on Amazon |
  | Beyerdynamic open Studio Headphones | 990 PRO | Buy on Amazon |
  | Sennheiser HD 599 Open-Back Headphones | Buy on Amazon |
  | Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset | Buy on Amazon |
GRADO SR60e Open-Back Wired Headphones
Design
The GRADO SR60e is one of the cheapest open-back headphones in the market. The box only comes with the headphones and their already-attached cord. These headphones have a unique old-school design and come in black colour. The ear cups are covered with a grill that allows the air to pass through them.
If you find the size of the headphones to be too tight, you pull either side lightly to adjust them according to your preference. The ear cups are entirely made out of plastic from the outer side. The vinyl top is relatively stable and would not fall off your head. These headphones come with a long cord.
Performance
GRADO has designed these headphones keeping only the sound in mind. If you are looking for headphones that provide extra bass like beats, these might not be the ones for you. The bass by these headphones is crisp, but it does not offer the heavy beats that you want while listening to certain music. They also do not cancel the outside noise altogether, so it is preferable to wear them when you want to hear what is going on in the surroundings.
These headphones provide fantastic clarity. The earcups are made of foam, but if you do not feel comfortable with foam, you can replace it with different other ear cups.
Verdict
The GRADO SR60e is one of the best open-back headsets available in the market, in terms of both performance and price.
Pros
- Provide clear sound
- Comfortable to wear
- Cost-effective
Cons
- No Bluetooth
- Not portable
- No mic
Audio-Technica Open-Air Headphones
Design
The design of the ATH-AD500X is similar to the AD2000. The box comes with the headphones and an adapter to go from 8th inch to 1/4th inch. The cord is very sturdy and is made up of highly conductive oxygen-free copper that prevents tangling.
The headband is very lightweight, flexible, and sturdy. It looks like two plastic wires going from one side to the other. Below the headband, you will find two 3D wings, one on either side. Thes have padding on them and help in adjusting the headphones on your head comfortably. You can bend and twist the headphones easily, thanks to the flexible headband. This prevents the headphones from breaking easily.
These are not called open-air headphones just because of open earcups but also because wearing them feels like you do not have anything on your head.
Performance
The sound quality is impressive for the price you pay. They provide clear vocals and incredible highs. The bass is not as great as the closed-back headphones but is better than what its competitors offer. They work with are genres as you can enjoy rap, rock, and almost every other music sound.
You can clearly hear footsteps while gaming and react to them. These work perfectly for both gamers and music-lovers.
Verdict
These headphones are the best for long gaming sessions because they do not feel heavy, and the earcups feel incredibly light on the ears. The sound quality is fantastic as well.
Pros
- Amazing sound
- Open design
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Bass might be too bouncy for some.
Beyerdynamic open Studio Headphones | 990 PRO
Design
The Beyerdynamic open Studio Headphones are fantastically designed and are hand-made in Germany. The back of the headphones is an open-grill which allows the sound of the headphones to pass out into the room. They have an iconic black colour and the earcups are oval in shape. The earcups have silver velour padding, which is comfortable to wear and does not get hot if you wear the headphones for extended gaming sessions.
The headphone has a superior clamping force which helps them stay put. The headband has faux leather, and it can be replaced easily. These headphones come with a coiled cable which cannot be detached.
Performance
Overall, the comfortable earcups and lightweight headband make for an enjoyable wearing experience. If you want to use these headphones by plugin them in your computer or phone, it is best ot to go with 80 OHM. But, If you have an amp and want a little bit less distortion, go with the 250 OHM.
These are balanced studio headphones and make fair gaming stereo headphones too. They sound average with most music genres, mostly rock and pop because of the lack of bass. Users are offered with great bear dynamic bill construction with easy-to-use velour.
Verdict
The Beyerdynamic open Studio Headphones are good to purchase, but if you are looking for headphones with strong bass, these might not be the ones for you.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Most parts are replaceable
Cons
- The cable cannot be replaced
Sennheiser HD 599 Open-Back Headphones
Design
The box comes with a set of headphones, cord, and an adapter. One side of the cable can be connected to the headphones while others to your PC or phone. The colour options to choose from are ivory and black. These headphones are entirely made of plastic, but it does not make them fragile.
The headband has a cushion inside, and the overall size of the headphone is thinner than most of the other headphones by Sennheiser. The cushion in the headband is also softer than the previous versions. Earcups of this headphone are big, oval in shape, and not super smooth. You can easily adjust the headband according to the size of your head.
Performance
The Sennheiser HD 599 headphones are very comfortable to wear and come with two sets of cables. One cable is extended while the other one is short. The sound quality is impressive, and these headphones sound impressively open and reasonably wide.
The imaging is also quite decent, which makes them incredible gaming headphones. It has a lean-neutral bass, which is a bit stronger and warmer than the other headphones by Sennheiser. However, if you prefer rock and hip hop genres, you will find the bass to be a bit lighter.
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 599 is comfortable to wear and provides stable sound quality. It is the right choice for competitive gamers.
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Competitive price
Cons
- Colours might not be attractive for some.
Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset
Design
The build quality of the headphone is quite good. It is entirely made from, which makes it both lightweight and sturdy. Sennheiser GAME ONE headphones come in black exterior and black velvet earcups, while the interior of earcups is red. The headband can be adjusted easily to fit different head sizes and has foam to provide extra comfort. It also comes with two cords.
On the left side, you will find the microphone that can be muted by only moving up. Similarly, you can unmute it by moving it down. The earcups can rotate to adjust appropriately.
Performance
The sound quality provided by the microphone of GAME ONE is clean and crisp. It does not cancel the surrounding sound, which is useful if you want to stay present in the surrounding environment but otherwise might cause a lot of distraction.
If you like doing podcasts or generate mobile content for social apps, the mic of this headphone can help you make videos with better sound quality. The headband cannot extend far enough, so it is better to wear the headphone and see if it fits you before buying it.
Verdict
This open-back gaming headset works surprisingly well when used for gaming, but it is not recommended for a multitasker since it leaks sound.
Pros
- Comes with a mic
- Powerful audio quality
- Comfortable design
Cons
- No noise cancellation
- The velvet pads can feel warm when used for an extended time period.
Conclusion
Gaming does not just require passion. It also requires investment in some good gaming accessories to enhance the overall experience. One of the most essential accessories is the open-back gaming headphone because games are nothing without quality sound.
If you are looking for some amazing open-back headsets that can provide you with quality sound but keep you present in the environment as well, we have listed the best open-back headphones available in the market. Our favourite ones in the list mentioned above are the GRADO SR60e. They provide amazing sound quality and are comfortable to wear as well. However, if you are looking for open-back headphones with mic, you can go for the Sennheiser GAME ONE headset.
