Are Open Back Headphones Worth It?

If you’re not familiar, open-back headphones have ear cups designed to let air — and sound — pass freely through. This means they intentionally leak sound both in and out, creating a more natural, spacious listening experience. Of course, this comes with its own set of pros and cons, which I’ll get into below.

To most people, open-back headphones seem like the opposite of what headphones should be. Aren’t they supposed to isolate you and your music from the outside world? Why would you ever want sound to leak in and out?

If you’re coming from the world of consumer audio, this reaction makes perfect sense. Open-backs are not meant for outdoor use or for places like libraries where sound leakage would disturb others — at best, it’s inconvenient; at worst, it’s downright rude.

The idea behind open-back headphones is to eliminate some of the acoustic compromises that closed-back designs face. With closed-backs, manufacturers have to work around the sealed ear cup’s walls, trying to control unwanted reflections and resonances. Many models fall short in this regard, which is why most of the best-regarded headphones in audio history are open-back. In fact, even some entry-level open-backs can outperform much more expensive closed-backs.

The good news is that open-back headphones are more accessible than ever, with plenty of affordable options on the market. That said, being open-back doesn’t automatically make a headphone good — it’s just one part of the recipe for great sound.

Here are a few strong entry points:

• Hifiman HE-400se (~$100)
• Hifiman Sundara (~$200)
• Sennheiser HD 6XX (~$200)

Keep in mind that these models perform best with a dedicated headphone amplifier.

As great as they can be, open-back headphones aren’t for every situation. Their biggest limitation is that they’re only really suited to quiet environments when you’re alone. Anyone in the same room will clearly hear what you’re listening to, and you’ll also hear the surrounding environment. If privacy is important to you, that’s a potential deal-breaker.

Another common trade-off is bass response. The same design elements that give open-backs their sense of openness and clarity — the free flow of air — can also reduce low-end impact. The good news is that this can often be compensated for with EQ (equalization).