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Open Back Headphones Comparison - April 2026
Overview: When it comes to headphones, there are two main types: open back and closed back. Open back headphones allow air to flow through the back of the ear cups, while closed back headphones keep the air flow blocked. So, which type is better? It all depends on your needs and preferences. Here, we’ll compare open back and closed back headphones, so you can decide which type is right for you.
beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Over-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones - Open-Back Stereo Construction, Wired (80 Ohm, Black (Limited Edition))
Model
Sennheiser HD 599 SE Open-Back Headphones, Premium Design, Natural Balanced Audio, Comfortable Fit, Wired Headphones for Music, Gaming, School, Work, Black
Model
Sennheiser HD 600 - Audiophile Open-Back Dynamic Wired Headphones Over Ear with Natural Soundstage and Premium Comfort for Music Lovers, Open Metal Earpiece Covers, Black
Model
Sennheiser HD 560 S Over-The-Ear Audiophile Headphones - Neutral Frequency Response, E.A.R. Technology for Wide Sound Field, Open-Back Earcups, Detachable Cable, (Black) (HD 560S)
Philips Open Back Wired Headphones - Cushioned Over Ear Headphones with Adjustable Headband for Ultimate Comfort and Superior Sound Quality, Plugs into TV, Stereo or PC, Ideal for Podcasts or Music
Brand
beyerdynamic
Brand
Sennheiser
Brand
Sennheiser
Brand
Sennheiser
Brand
Philips
Brand
AKG
Brand
Philips
Reviews
34,502 reviews
Reviews
16,804 reviews
Reviews
5,302 reviews
Reviews
6,674 reviews
Reviews
21,324 reviews
Reviews
22,648 reviews
Reviews
4,430 reviews
Features
Audio quality
9.6
Audio quality
9.6
Audio quality
9.8
Audio quality
9.6
Audio quality
9.6
Audio quality
9.3
Audio quality
9.1
Noise reduction
7.0
Noise reduction
7.0
Noise reduction
7.0
Noise reduction
7.0
Noise reduction
7.0
Noise reduction
7.2
Noise reduction
7.0
Materials quality
9.9
Materials quality
9.6
Materials quality
8.6
Materials quality
8.4
Materials quality
9.1
Materials quality
9.8
Materials quality
9.1
Bass sound
9.1
Bass sound
9.1
Bass sound
9.1
Bass sound
8.6
Bass sound
8.6
Bass sound
8.6
Bass sound
8.6
Comfort
9.8
Comfort
9.6
Comfort
8.4
Comfort
9.3
Comfort
8.6
Comfort
9.1
Comfort
9.1
Lasts a long time
9.1
Lasts a long time
9.4
Lasts a long time
8.6
Lasts a long time
8.6
Lasts a long time
9.1
Lasts a long time
9.9
Lasts a long time
8.4
For playing video games
9.1
For playing video games
9.6
For playing video games
8.4
For playing video games
9.3
For playing video games
8.6
For playing video games
9.1
For playing video games
8.4
Tech Specs
number of items
1
number of items
1
number of items
1
number of items
1
number of items
1
number of items
1
number of items
1
item weight
10.4 ounces
item weight
9.2 ounces
item weight
9.1 ounces
item weight
8.5 ounces
item weight
10.6 ounces
item weight
1.23 Pounds
item weight
11.6 ounces
included components
1/4 Adapter, Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO - 80 Ohm Black, Drawstring Carry Bag
Here are the top 3 recommended products with more information to help you find the right product for you
9.8
1
beyerdynamic
beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Over-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones - Open-Back Stereo Construction, Wired (80 Ohm, Black (Limited Edition))
9.9materials Quality
9.8Comfort
9.6audio quality
Why we love it
The DT 990 Pro headphones are perfect for professional mixing, mastering, and editing, as well as listening at home.
These headphones produce a transparent, spacious, and bass heavy sound that is perfect for studio applications.
The soft and replaceable ear pads make these headphones extremely comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time.
Main highlights
WIDE OPEN SOUND FOR CRITICAL LISTENING: These open-back studio headphones deliver a natural soundstage and detailed spatial imaging. Perfect for professional editing, mixing, and mastering, they reveal subtle nuances and imperfections in your audio for accurate, real-world mix decisions.
VERSATILE 80-OHM IMPEDANCE: The 80-ohm version is ideal for a wide range of applications, from professional studio outputs to high-fidelity home audio setups. Experience superior sound fidelity and depth with a true sonic magnifier that ensures distortion-free audio reproduction.
ULTIMATE COMFORT FOR HOME & STUDIO: Designed for prolonged use without fatigue, these over-ear headphones feature soft, replaceable circumaural ear pads. The lightweight construction and snug fit provide luxurious comfort for extended listening sessions.
HANDCRAFTED GERMAN ENGINEERING: Handcrafted in Germany by a trusted legacy brand with over 100 years of excellence. These beyerdynamic headphones offer unmatched durability and consistency, making them a reliable choice for audiophiles and industry professionals alike.
COMPLETE PRO SPECIFICATIONS: Features an extended 5–35,000 Hz frequency response and a 3-meter straight cable with a threaded 1/4" adapter for 1/8" (3.5mm) jacks. All parts are fully serviceable, ensuring ultimate longevity and sustainability for your professional audio gear.
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9.7
2
Sennheiser
38% Off
Sennheiser HD 599 SE Open-Back Headphones, Premium Design, Natural Balanced Audio, Comfortable Fit, Wired Headphones for Music, Gaming, School, Work, Black
9.6audio quality
9.6materials Quality
9.6Comfort
Why we love it
Premium quality sound
Extreme comfort
Compatible with many devices
Main highlights
Versatile Device Compatibility: Works seamlessly with phones, tablets, computers, and most audio devices and as gaming headsets
Premium Build Quality: The audiophile headphones are designed for durability and elegance, crafted with expertly crafted materials for long-lasting performance and high fidelity sound
Perfect for Home or Travel: Sennheiser 599 SE wired over ear headphones are ideal for home listening, music enjoyment, professional audio work, music listening sessions, or casual enjoyment with hi-fi audio, comfort and exceptional clarity
Luxurious Comfort: Lightweight design of Sennheiser headphones wired with plush velour-covered ear pads ensures all-day listening without fatigue
Exceptional Clarity & Detail: These Sennheiser wired headphones capture every note with precise highs, rich mids, and controlled bass, perfect for classical, acoustic, and high-fidelity listening and audiophiles
Detachable Cable Convenience: This over ear headphones wired style includes a 3-meter 6.3mm cable and 1.2-meter 3.5mm cable for flexible connectivity
Audiophile-Grade Open-Back Sound: Enjoy natural, balanced audio with a spacious soundstage for an immersive listening experience with Sennheiser open back headphones
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9.5
3
Sennheiser
40% Off
Sennheiser HD 600 - Audiophile Open-Back Dynamic Wired Headphones Over Ear with Natural Soundstage and Premium Comfort for Music Lovers, Open Metal Earpiece Covers, Black
9.8audio quality
9.1Bass sound
8.6materials Quality
Why we love it
Exceptional audio clarity and detail.
Comfortable for long listening sessions.
Durable detachable cable.
Main highlights
Perfect for Audiophiles & Professionals: These audiophile headphones are ideal for home listening, working professionals, gaming, streaming, and music enthusiasts seeking natural, high-fidelity sound
Optimized Fit for Best Sound: This over ear headphones wired style include adjustable ear tips that ensure a secure and snug fit for optimal audio fidelity
Natural, Transparent Sound: Open-back design of these Sennheiser open back headphones wired style with advanced aluminum voice coils delivers crystal-clear highs, balanced mids, and controlled bass
Extended Listening Comfort: Lightweight Sennheiser HD600 corded headphones for music with plush ear pads allows fatigue-free enjoyment during long sessions and daily listening
Durable, Premium Build: Sennheiser wired headphones feature a sophisticated black and gray finish with expertly crafted open metal mesh earpiece covers. Connect it with the Sennheiser HD 500 BAM microphone to use as gaming headsets for gaming sessions
Detachable Kevlar-Reinforced Cable: Oxygen-free copper cable for Sennheiser headphones wired minimizes handling noise while providing flexibility and long-lasting performance
Audiophile-Grade Clarity: These earphones wired include neodymium ferrous magnets that ensure precise, dynamic audio for immersive listening
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Our ranking system
At bestchoice.com, our team curates a selection of top products from a vast array available online, using a sophisticated ranking system based on carefully defined criteria. While traditional hands-on testing has its merits, our use of AI technology offers distinct advantages. AI allows us to process and analyze vast amounts of data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive view that goes beyond what manual testing can achieve. This approach enables us to deliver insights that are aligned with current trends and consumer preferences, ensuring our reviews are both relevant and up-to-date.
Features
Our AI-driven analysis examines key attributes, capabilities, and other critical factors tailored to each product category. This method allows us to assess effectiveness from various perspectives, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation.
Consumer Reviews
We aggregate and evaluate consumer feedback from across the internet, giving weight to ratings and reviews that reflect the most reliable insights. AI enhances this process by filtering and prioritizing data, offering a balanced view without the need for direct personal endorsements.
Popularity
Our system also considers the popularity of products, analyzing factors such as market presence, reputation, and user satisfaction. By leveraging AI, we capture a comprehensive picture of a product's standing in the market, which may not always be evident through traditional testing.
Value for money
AI allows us to compare products based on attributes like price, specifications, and user feedback, helping to determine their value for money. This data-driven approach offers an efficient and reliable way to assess how products stack up against one another in terms of cost-effectiveness.
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9.6 
9.8
1beyerdynamic
The DT 990 Pro headphones are perfect for professional mixing, mastering, and editing, as well as listening at home.
