Best Open Back

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Rankings are calculated based on verified user reviews, recency of updates, and community voting weighted by user reputation score.

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Best 1 Sennheiser HD 800 S
Sennheiser HD 800 S
From $3000

The Sennheiser HD 800 S remains a benchmark for open-back headphone performance. Featuring a unique planar magnetic driver design, it delivers an incredibly wide and detailed soundstage with exception...

9.8 Brilliant
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2 Audeze LCD-X 2023
Audeze LCD-X 2023
From $1099

The Audeze LCD-X 2023 is a refined version of a beloved audiophile headphone. Utilizing Audeze's patented planar magnetic technology, it delivers exceptional bass extension and detail retrieval. The 2...

9.6 Brilliant
3 Audeze Maxwell
Audeze Maxwell
From $599

The Audeze Maxwell delivers unparalleled audio fidelity thanks to its planar magnetic drivers, offering a wide soundstage and exceptional detail retrieval. Featuring Bluetooth 5.0 and low-latency 2.4G...

9.6 Brilliant
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4 Sony MDR-7506
Sony MDR-7506
From $99

The Sony MDR-7506 is the ubiquitous workhorse of the recording industry. You will find these in almost every professional studio in the world, primarily used for tracking and monitoring. They are famo...

9.5 Brilliant
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5 HIFIMAN Arya Stealth
HIFIMAN Arya Stealth
From $1,599

The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth is a planar magnetic headphone renowned for its exceptional comfort and balanced sound signature. Featuring a sleek, minimalist design and a comfortable earcup construction, i...

9.4 Excellent
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6 VASAGLE Ladder Bookcase
VASAGLE Ladder Bookcase

The VASGLE Ladder Bookcase mimics the look of a traditional library ladder with its angled back and open sides, saving floor space in tight corners. Constructed from high-quality wood veneer over part...

9.3 Excellent
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7 Sennheiser HD 650
Sennheiser HD 650
From $349

The Sennheiser HD 650 is arguably the most famous pair of studio headphones in history. Known for its incredibly natural and smooth midrange, it is the go-to reference for many engineers when balancin...

9.3 Excellent
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8 Meze Audio 100 V2
Meze Audio 100 V2

The Meze Audio 100 V2 is a dynamic headphone known for its warm and engaging sound signature and striking design. The V2 version improves upon the original with enhanced bass response and a more refin...

9.0 Excellent
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9 Koss Porta Pro
Koss Porta Pro

The Koss Porta Pro is a cult classic that has remained virtually unchanged since 1984. These open-back, on-ear headphones offer a unique, airy soundstage that is impossible to find in closed-back mode...

9.0 Excellent
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10 Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
From $599

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is a high-end closed-back studio headphone known for its neutral sound signature and excellent noise isolation. It's ideal for musicians, producers, and audiophiles who req...

8.9 Very Good
11 Final A8000
Final A8000

The Final A8000 is a dynamic headphone praised for its exceptional detail retrieval and natural imaging. Its meticulously engineered drivers deliver a wide frequency response and low distortion. The o...

8.8 Very Good
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12 Sennheiser PC38X
Sennheiser PC38X

The Drop + Sennheiser PC38X is widely considered the best open-back gaming headset on the market. By allowing air to pass through the ear cups, it creates a natural, expansive soundstage that makes it...

8.8 Very Good
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13 Grado SR60x
Grado SR60x

The Grado SR60x is the entry point into the world of true audiophile sound. These handmade, open-back headphones are famous for their 'Grado sound'a forward, energetic, and detailed presentation that...

8.8 Very Good
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14 Dan Clark Audio Aeon X Reference
Dan Clark Audio Aeon X Reference

The Dan Clark Audio Aeon X Reference is a modular planar magnetic headphone offering a customizable listening experience. Its unique design allows users to swap out earpads and faceplates to tailor th...

8.7 Very Good
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15 Shure SRH1840
Shure SRH1840

The Shure SRH1840 is a professional-grade open-back headphone designed for critical listening and mastering. It features individually matched drivers that provide a very consistent and neutral frequen...

8.7 Very Good
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16 Focal Clear MG
Focal Clear MG

The Focal Clear MG is a highly dynamic and engaging headphone that excels at bringing music to life. Using a magnesium dome driver, it offers a fast, punchy, and detailed sound that is incredibly fun...

8.7 Very Good
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17 Sennheiser HD 560S
Sennheiser HD 560S

The HD 560S is an open-back headphone designed for critical listening. Because it is open-back, it doesn't build up heat, which is a huge plus for glasses wearers who often find their ears getting hot...

8.6 Very Good
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18 Grado SR80x
Grado SR80x

The Grado SR80x is a classic open-back headphone known for its distinctive retro design and surprisingly detailed sound. Utilizing a dynamic driver, it delivers a lively and engaging listening experie...

8.5 Very Good
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19 HiFiMAN Sundara
HiFiMAN Sundara

The Hifiman Sundara is widely regarded as the best entry-level planar-magnetic headphone for studio use. It offers a fast, detailed, and neutral sound that is far superior to most dynamic headphones i...

8.5 Very Good
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20 Hifiman Arya
Hifiman Arya

The Hifiman Arya is a high-end planar magnetic headphone that offers an incredibly immersive and detailed listening experience. Its large, egg-shaped ear cups provide a massive soundstage, while the p...

8.4 Very Good
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21 Audeze LCD-2
Audeze LCD-2

The Audeze LCD-2 is an entry-level planar magnetic headphone offering a taste of Audeze's renowned sound quality. It delivers a warm and engaging sound signature with a wide soundstage. While not as r...

8.2 Very Good
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22 Audeze LCD-1
Audeze LCD-1

The Audeze LCD-1 is an entry-level planar magnetic headphone offering exceptional detail and accuracy. Its open-back design provides a wide soundstage and natural sound reproduction. Planar magnetic d...

8.2 Very Good
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23 Hifiman HE400SE
Hifiman HE400SE

The Hifiman HE400SE is a planar magnetic headphone offering exceptional sound quality at an incredibly affordable price. Featuring planar magnetic drivers, these headphones deliver a detailed and accu...

8.0 Very Good
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24 Audio-Technica ATH-R70x
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x

The Audio-Technica ATH-R70x is a dynamic headphone designed for studio monitoring and critical listening. It offers a detailed and accurate sound signature with a wide soundstage. The ATH-R70x is know...

7.8 Good
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25 Drop TH-901
Drop TH-901

The Drop TH-901 is a unique planar magnetic headphone known for its distinctive design and detailed sound signature. It features a beryllium driver and a wood housing. The TH-901 delivers a wide sound...

7.7 Good
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26 Superlux HD681
Superlux HD681

The Superlux HD681 is a legendary budget headphone that has introduced countless people to the world of high-fidelity audio. These semi-open headphones offer a bright, detailed sound that is surprisin...

7.6 Good
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27 Grado GW100x
Grado GW100x

The Grado GW100x is a unique beast: the world's first open-back wireless headphones. Because they are open-back, they offer a wide, airy soundstage that is impossible to replicate with closed-back mod...

7.6 Good
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28 AKG K812
AKG K812

The AKG K812 is a flagship open-back headphone designed for the most demanding professional applications. It features a large 53mm driver that provides an incredibly detailed and accurate sound. The o...

7.5 Good
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29 Koss KSC75
Koss KSC75

The Koss KSC75 is a unique clip-on headphone that is widely considered one of the best-sounding headphones under $50, let alone $100. These open-back, ear-clip headphones offer a surprisingly detailed...

7.4 Good
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30 AKG K702
AKG K702
From $399.00

The AKG K702 is famous for its incredibly wide soundstage and flat, analytical sound. These headphones are designed for precision, making them an excellent choice for mixing and editing where you need...

7.3 Good
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