How to Pick the Right Open-Back Headphones for You
Open-back headphones are coveted for their natural staging and a more out-of-the-head presentation. They are often preferred over even speakers for personal listening since one can push the volume high without waking up their neighbors. All being said, there are numerous options at every price point, so choosing the right open-back headphones often becomes a complicated task. As a result, you might end up with something less-than-ideal for your specific needs. In addition, there are often compromises along the way. The headphones with the most balanced tonality might not have the best soundstage or imaging. On the other hand, a pair of headphones with spectacular resolution might require a significantly more expensive amplifier to power them. There is a second-guess at every turn, and that is putting things mildly. Fret not — we got you covered! This highly curated list was made after thoroughly listening to most of the critically acclaimed headphones out there across a variety of price points. But before heading into the actual list, let’s look at the factors that influenced us the most in picking the winner.
Hifiman Susvara
Key features
Driver Type: Planar magnetic Nanometer-grade diaphragm Stealth magnet assembly Impedance: 60 ohms Sensitivity: 83 dB/mW Weight: 450 g Tonal Profile: Warm-neutral Perhaps the most natural reproduction of music among all the consumer-level flagship headphones. Lifelike vocals, exceptional tuning and timbre. Superb imaging and staging. Very comfortable, perfect for hours of listening. Fast transients help in accurately reproducing very complex tracks.
Hifiman’s flagship planar-magnetic headphones, the Hifiman Susvara, offer one of the best and most natural sound that you can find in the TOTL space. The proprietary nanometer-grade gold-deposited planar-magnetic diaphragm offers class-leading timbre and a very pleasant tuning. These do not skimp on the technicalities though as staging, imaging, and general resolution are all top-notch. Even the best sounding headphones can become a chore to listen to if they are not comfortable or ergonomically compromised. As such, comfort becomes one of the key factors when choosing a pair of open-back headphones. Choosing the driver to go for depends highly on the user’s preferences. Some prefer the tonal richness and bass impact of dynamic drivers, whereas others may like the slam of planar magnetic drivers or the speed of electrostatic membranes. Driver type may not be a big factor in the purchase decision, but they represent some characteristics that one may expect from the headphones. The idea of a “neutral” sound often varies across manufacturers, and the tuners might add their own flavor to the frequency response to attain a specific “house-sound”. Too bassy or too bright headphones hide the details in the midrange and can get fatiguing to listen for long hours – something to be wary of during purchase. The better a pair of headphones do in this regard, the more information you can pick up in your music. A wide, deep soundstage can give you the feel of being in a mini-concert hall, so these factors are taken into account as well. Do they have drivers requiring high voltage swing, or are they sporting low-impedance, low-sensitivity planar-magnetic drivers that need high current amplifiers? Then there are the exotic driver types, e.g. Electrostatic or Ribbon drivers that require very different amplification topologies. Factoring in the cost and availability of amplifiers become a concern as a result. The Susvara have a class-leading midrange that is highly transparent and resolving without a hint of grain or shoutiness. Vocals are placed right in front of you with abundant clarity as even the most minute nuances can be picked up. Acoustic guitars sound sublime, every single note being delivered with precision. The bass and treble performance is not class-leading like the mids but even then those frequencies are not rolled-off or masked in any manner. Add to this the high level of comfort and it is easy to see why the Susvara have become some of the most popular flagship headphones around. Are the Hifiman Susvaras perfect? Of course not, nothing is. They need a high current amplifier, with many owners pairing these to speaker amps. Let that sink in for a while. Moreover, the general build quality, fit, and finish do not reflect the astronomical price tag. The wood inserts in the ear-cup look cheap, whereas the headband loses its shine quickly. Add to that the awful stock cable, which is the worst among all the headphones on this entire list, and suddenly there are a few compromises to be made. Fortunately, these issues are not deal breakers for us, especially with their sound quality; so Hifiman Susvara deservingly take the Editor’s Choice award. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Also good:
Final D8000 Pro
Final’s flagship headphones, the D8000 Pro, offer a revamped orthodynamic driver design which was inspired by the Yamaha planar magnetic headphones in the 80s. They have a distinct design language and the build quality is as good as it gets across any price point. Comfort is also good though the heavy earcups coupled with the heavy stock cable may lead to some discomfort after long usage. As for the sound, these are near-neutral in tone with a slight recession in the upper-mids. In terms of bass and treble performance, the D8000 Pro are very competitive with other TOTL headphones in this price range. It’s the midrange that takes a back seat compared to our first choice Susvara. These are fine margins though and when taking into account the significantly lower retail price against the Susvara, the D8000 Pro become a viable second choice. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Sennheiser HD650
Key features
Driver Type: Dynamic driver 40mm drivers Impedance: 300 ohms Sensitivity: 103 dB/mW Weight: 260 g Tonal Profile: Warm-neutral Exquisite midrange Reference tuning Very durable, time-tested build
Sennheiser HD650 have been on the market for almost 20 years now and they are still loved and recommended by many in the audiophile circle. The 40mm dynamic drivers have a relatively older design and the headphones themselves look utilitarian. The old driver design is no issue as the HD650s still perform well in measurements, and the no-frills look makes them perfect for professional use. What sets them apart from the rest is their midrange performance. The mids on the HD650 are breathtakingly beautiful. Every subtle articulation of vocals, the strum of acoustic guitars, the undertones of piano keys – these are presented in their full glory. The treble is relaxed while keeping a sense of airiness and extension. Nothing is forced upon the listener, rather most of the details are there for the listener to pick up at their own pace. For the asking price, this level of performance is nothing short of incredible. Sadly, the bass response falls short of the stellar midrange performance. Mid-bass takes the front seat as the bass rolls-off drastically in the sub-bass regions. As a result, the HD650 have little to no sub-bass rumble and won’t give you a sense of slam and impact. The staging is also narrow whereas the imaging lacks absolute precision. They also require a decent amplifier given the high impedance of 300 ohms. None of these caveats dampen the charm of the HD650s once you listen to them on a good amplifier, though. Their comfortable fit, long-lasting build, and reference-grade tuning make them indispensable to this day. Add to that the Drop version (named HD6XX) which has a lower price than the regular HD650 and you got yourself a bargain. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Also good:
Koss Porta Pro
Koss have a long history with headphones and they were the first brand to popularize portable headphones. The Porta Pros were originally released back in 1984 and later went through a driver update. The modern iteration of the Porta Pros are still relevant and have set standards in the ultra-budget range. They have a V-shaped tuning, meaning the bass and treble are at the forefront of the signature. Despite the bass focus the mids are not too recessed and vocals come through fairly well. These have a natural, open stage that often makes you forget that you are wearing headphones. Comfort is also excellent with the lightweight and adjustable clamp force. While the stock cable is very thin and general build quality is fragile, aftermarket parts are readily available and Koss offers a limited lifetime warranty. Unfortunately, these won’t be as resolving in the mids and treble as the HD650s as they don’t have the same level of build quality and the Porta Pros tend to distort at very high volumes unlike the HD650s. However, they have enough perks to make them a very enticing purchase, especially at the budget asking price. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Final D8000
Key features
Driver Type: Planar magnetic Air Film Damping System (ADFS) Impedance: 60 ohms Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW Weight: 523 g Tonal Profile: Warm Superb industrial design Visceral bass response with excellent speed and tactility of bass notes Laid-back, warm midrange Good staging and imaging
The love of bass is very much an acquired taste. Some listeners do not like a hint of emphasis in the bass. Then there are those bassheads who are not satisfied until they feel the thump of the lows on their chest. Tuning the bass thus becomes more of an art, as a number of factors can affect the perception of bass quality including the driver type used, the design of the housing, the existence of passive radiators etc. Final D8000 balances bass quality with quantity in a manner that is very hard to find among open-back headphones. These treat bass notes as first-class citizens with excellent mid-bass punch and a dense, rumbling sub-bass that can reach to the lowest octaves. The sense of slam and impact are addictive. These maintain the rhythm and speed needed to keep up with complex bass-lines. They are not perfect, with the heavy earcups causing long-term fatigue and the upper-mid recession masking some of the details in the mids. There are also some unevenness in the treble. If you love high quality bass though, the Final D8000 deserve an audition. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Also good:
Audeze LCD-2
The Audeze LCD-2 are some of their most popular models and have gained a following thanks to their warm, laid-back tuning and a solid bass response. Their full potential is unlocked via EQ, however, as they have very low-distortion 106mm planar magnetic drivers. When EQ’ed, the LCD-2 slam and punch harder than most headphones in their price range, all the while maintaining the speed and precision expected from planar drivers. The texture and depth of the bass response on the LCD-2 is exemplary, especially when considering the price. There are drawbacks as usual, with the 595g weight being a constant reminder that you are wearing something substantial. They also require a good quality amplifier to perform at their best, especially if you are planning to EQ them. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Sennheiser HD800 S
Key features
Driver Type: Dynamic driver Ring-radiator driver Impedance: 300 ohms Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW Weight: 330 g Tonal Profile: Neutral Very comfortable to wear Highly resolving signature Class-leading soundstage and imaging
Sennheiser’s consumer-level flagship, open-backed HD800 S are jack-of-all-trades, and master of some. Probably the most mundane thing about them is their bass response which is just alright. The treble also has some presence-region emphasis that may sound fatiguing for some. The mids have excellent tuning with natural voicing and a stunning rendition of acoustic instruments. The treble, despite the bright-tilt, is extended, sparkly, and can portray a sense of airiness hard to find in dynamic driver headphones. These are achieved because the ring-radiator driver helps with lightning-fast transients and very low distortion. To top it all off, the HD800 S are very comfortable to wear and aftermarket parts are readily available. The most standout feature though is their soundstage and imaging. The HD800 S have a nearly speaker-like presentation where the sound seems to be originating from the front of the listener. Spatial qualities set them apart from the rest of the competition. In short: very few weaknesses and a pair of headphones that work well across a variety of genres and tasks, making them truly versatile for the end-user. If you want to buy just one pair of headphones in the flagship level without going into the summit-fi territory, the HD800 S should be a top contender. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Also good:
Focal Clear Mg
Focal’s successor to the very well-received Clear are the Clear Mg. Their prime differences are the earpads and the driver-dome material which is Magnesium on the Clear Mg compared to Al-Mg alloy on the Clears. The Clear Mg also sound warmer in tone which is more pleasant for long listening sessions. They tick nearly all of the boxes, with a beautiful design, great comfort, low amplification needs, and a highly resolving signature. The bass hits harder than the HD800S and they have even better texture and speed in the lows. Where they fall short of our top pick is the voicing of the midrange and soundstage width and depth, where the HD800 S pull ahead dramatically. The replacement earpads of the Clear Mg are also quite expensive, making the HD 800 S cheaper to maintain in the longer term. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Meze Empyrean
Key features
Driver Type: Planar magnetic Isodynamic hybrid magnet array Impedance: 31.6 ohms Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW Weight: 430 g Tonal Profile: Warm Gorgeous design Warm, laid-back tuning Good staging and imaging
Meze Audio is known for the design of their headphones and earphones, and their Meze Empyrean takes the design supremacy up another notch. The Empyreans might even pass as art-pieces due to the craftsmanship Meze has put into them. The Copper-Black color scheme is my personal favorite. The grille design has intricate detailing, and the carbon-fiber headband seamlessly blends form and function. The Empyrean are not all about design though, they have a rich, warm tuning that is excellent for laid-back listening. They do lack a bit in the “bite” department as things sound smoothed over due to an emphasis on mid-bass, which hurts the sense of resolution. The soundstage is good for a change, so is the imaging. The Empyrean are not the most resolving headphones in their price class, but they are one of the most beautiful pieces of gear you will come across in audiophilia. CHECK LATEST PRICE AT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Also good:
ZMF Atrium
ZMF’s latest co-flagship, the Atrium, sports a revamped bio-cellulose dynamic driver and a proprietary damping system. The technical aspects of these headphones are impressive indeed, but what grabs immediate attention is their design. Wood, metal – these materials are prevalent in all of the ZMF headphones, and the Atrium is no different. The grille design is stunning with a Gothic architecture-inspired pattern. The leather headband and earpads, the sandblasted, machined-aluminum yokes, and the gorgeous cherry-wood cups give them a timeless demeanor. Treble has good extension with a sense of airiness rarely found in warm tunings. Staging is spacious and open with precise instrument positioning. In this particular aspect the Atrium is better than any of the previous ZMF releases from my experience. The primary caveats are the somewhat recessed upper-mids and the lower-treble emphasis that can be jarring at times. The Atrium are also not as resolving as some planar-magnetic and electrostatic headphones in this price bracket. They are gorgeous though, and exude an undeniable charm. CHECK LATEST PRICE AT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
RAAL-Requisite SR1A
Key features
Driver Type: Ribbon Impedance: 0.2 ohms Sensitivity: 91 dB/W Weight: 425 g Tonal Profile: Analytical Perhaps the best staging and imaging in headphones Highly resolving Exceptional treble rendition
RAAL-requisite is based in Serbia and the SR1A are the only headphones they have on offer at the time of this writing. These headphones are an anomaly compared to nearly every other headphone on the market. That makes the SR1A some ridiculously power-hungry headphones, requiring specific speaker amps to perform well. Also, the earcups can be rotated to vary the seal which can alter the sound signature. Finally, the deal-breaker for many would be the bass response which rolls off drastically in the sub-bass region. As a result, modern pop and hip-hop tracks are likely off the plate. The treble is extremely resolving with lighting fast transients, and the mids are revealing to mastering flaws. The design alone can be a conversation starter, and coupled with the proprietary driver tech and unique acoustic design, the SR1A are truly one-of-a-kind. CHECK LATEST PRICE AT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Sennheiser HE-1
Key features
Driver Type: Electrostatic driver Impedance: N/A Sensitivity: 114 dB/mW Weight: 550 g Tonal Profile: Neutral The best sounding headphones in the world Lifelike timbre and tonality Comes as a complete system with matching energizer and DAC
Sennheiser’s money-no-object headphones are considered the best of the best in the world of audiophilia. The HE-1 are stuff of legends. In every audio show, they attract a sizable audience, all pining for a 10 minute audition of a headphone system that is out of the reach for most. The exorbitant price-tag is matched by the sheer exclusivity of these headphones, as each pair is built upon order with a considerable backlog in place and requires specialized installation on-site. Once you go through that ordeal, you get in hand (or on your ears) the most natural sounding headphones one can acquire. The mids are breathtakingly realistic, and the lifelike timbre is intoxicating. It’s hard to judge the technical merits of these headphones like staging, imaging etc. as the music itself becomes the center-piece. If there exists a pair of legit end-of-the road headphones, the HE-1 would probably be it. The pinnacle, the end-game of an otherwise arduous hobby. CHECK LATEST PRICE AT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
