Best Open-back Headphones for 2024

While other types of headphones may excel for isolation or bass response, open-back headphones are uniquely qualified to deliver a transparent listening experience. And whether it’s a natural soundstage or a relatively flat mix reference you’re trying to achieve, any of the following open-back and semi-open headphones can get you there. Open-back headphones offer a wealth of possibilities for clear, dynamic, and natural sound, whether you’re interested in casual or critical listening, mixing or multipurpose studio use, or gaming or on-the-go playback. In this article, we surveyed our current headphone offerings — from long-standing staples to new releases — to determine the best open-back headphones for 2024. Check it out!

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Best Open-back Headphones for ListeningBest Open-back Headphones for MixingBest Open-back Headphones for GamingBest Open-back Headphones for Studio UseBest Open-back & Semi-open Headphones Under $300Best Open-back Wireless Headphones

Best Open-back Headphones for Listening

Sennheiser HD 600 Open-back Audiophile/Professional Headphones

Hi-fi playback for comfortable, critical listening

Sennheiser was very deliberate in naming its HD 600 open-back audiophile/professional headphones, pulling no punches in its design to make sure listeners get exactly what’s promised. Computer-optimized neodymium ferrous magnet systems and lightweight aluminum voice coils work in concert to deliver superlative audio quality while keeping weight down for a comfortable listening experience. Sounds are natural, transparent, and clearly articulated across a broad frequency range, ensuring you never miss a beat. What’s more, the ultra-durable Kevlar-reinforced cable is completely detachable, making for easy storage, and a 1/4-inch cable adapter lets you connect to any source!

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Sennheiser HD 650 Open-back Audiophile and Reference Headphones

Full-range performance with flexible connectivity

Compared to their series sibling, the Sennheiser HD 650 open-back audiophile and reference headphones apply the same expertise but with an additional emphasis on studio-quality playback and connectivity. Its robust frequency range and exclusive transducer are designed to maximize one of the central tenets of open-back headphones: to retain the naturality of sound while maximizing clarity, as much so in the details of the mix as the highlights. Plus, its tight production tolerances ensure consistent playback, while the rugged, Kevlar-coated connectors easily interface with your hi-fi equipment regardless of playback format, guaranteeing superlative quality reproduction of all your favorite recordings.

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Focal Clear Mg Open-back Headphones

French finesse for a lifetime of listening

Focal’s dedication to uncompromising audio is on full display with its Focal Clear Mg open-back headphones; the company distilled decades of multimode aural mastery into this pair of high-fidelity circumaural headphones crafted to last a lifetime. The innovative, M-shaped magnesium domes have been precisely engineered to bolster sound retention for clarity and detail that’s nearly impossible to re-create otherwise. Microfiber earpads are paired with a leather-bound aluminum headband, carefully constructed to blend reliable positioning with top-class comfort, making long-haul listening an enriching experience that won’t fatigue your ears. What’s more, these headphones ship with flexible connectivity options. Not only are the Y cables detachable, but you also receive two sets: one with a standard 1/8-inch connector (and 1/4-inch adapter) and one with a 4-pin XLR connector, guaranteeing premium performance in virtually any setting.

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Best Open-back Headphones for Mixing

Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X Open-back Studio Mixing Headphones

Superlative sound and comfort to boot

Mixing is an art form like no other, demanding a careful balancing act between technical know-how and a subjective ear for quality, all wrapped up in personal taste. This is where the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X open-back studio mixing headphones come into play. Plush earpads ensure comfort for even the longest studio sessions, and the onboard STELLAR.45 drivers maintain uncompromising, full-spectrum quality that will supply detailed audio as you grow from home and bedroom studios to the big leagues.

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Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro Open-back Studio Reference Headphones

Full-suite, studio-grade detail

The feather in Beyerdynamic’s open-back cap has to be these DT 1990 Pros. These are true reference-grade headphones with a handsome open-back design. Each set is powered by Beyerdynamic’s 45mm Tesla neodymium drivers, which capably reproduce frequencies as low as 5Hz without weighing you down throughout a session. These are a great option for anyone mixing, producing, and even mastering themselves away from the comforts of a control room and familiar studio monitors. The drivers sound refined and natural even prior to any burn-in period, and they continue to bloom and mature in sound after around a dozen hours of use. Factoring in a deluxe hardshell case and two premium cables, the DT 1990 Pros are the remote mixer’s dream come true.

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Focal Clear Mg Professional Open-back Reference Studio Headphones

Say “bonjour” to reference-grade monitoring technology

Mixing on headphones is a double-edged sword: for the details afforded by your proximity to the sound, it risks being an unrealistic representation of how the music will be heard in an open setting, typically through speakers or monitors. Fortunately, the Focal Clear Mg Professional open-back reference studio headphones combine the best of both worlds. Focal’s illustrious history as a designer and purveyor of premium monitoring technology means it has the expertise needed to bridge the divide; the company utilizes its proprietary M-shaped magnesium domes to serve up crystalline clarity and exacting detail, allowing you to master any mix.

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Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Open-back Dynamic Reference Headphones

Flagship engineering with transparent clarity

The Audio-Technica ATH-R70x open-back dynamic reference headphones mark the company’s first foray into open-back designs, and it’s abundantly clear that Audio-Technica’s research team spared no effort in crafting a premier pair of audiophile-quality headphones. Unlike conventional designs, the ATH-R70xs feature A-T’s distinctive 3D Wing construction, alleviating physical fatigue while securing their placement for most listeners. Pure alloy magnetic circuitry eliminates distortion to provide crystalline clarity across an impressive frequency range. Carbon composite resin bolsters the structural rigidity of the headphones, which — alongside the aluminum honeycomb-mesh housing — reinforces clear, natural sonics with nuanced transients, making long-haul listening an enjoyable, enriching experience for any studio.

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Neumann NDH 30 Open-back Studio Headphones

Exacting standards of circumaural excellence

When you’re making critical mix decisions, especially during the final phases of a mix, high-precision monitoring is crucial. Neumann NDH 30 open-back headphones were designed specifically for those situations, and they exhibit exceptional linearity and transient response, unmatched resolution, and solid stereo imaging. Long listening sessions are more comfortable with circumaural memory foam ear pads. Plus, the NDH 30 headphones have a detachable, internally balanced cable with a 1/4-inch adapter, and they fold down for safe and easy transport. NDH 30s leverage their open-back design to deliver an impressive level of sonic accuracy, making them a great choice for producers, broadcast professionals, and mixing and mastering engineers.

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Best Open-back Headphones for Gaming

Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3 Open-back Gaming Headset with Mic

Versatile connectivity and uncompromising output

Whether you’re competitively or casually playing on a console or a PC, crystal clear audio is imperative to quality gaming. The Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3 open-back gaming headset offers the versatility to meet the needs of any setup, drawing upon decades of studio-grade engineering and expertise. Supple earpads, a mesh exterior, and robust 45mm drivers supply uncompromising, full-spectrum audio without fatiguing the ear. The left earcup features a mute switch and volume control to manage communication and playback without the need for you to take your eyes off the screen. Plus, the detachable microphone and dual headphone cables easily accommodate any gaming arrangement, allowing you to plug straight into compatible controllers, eliminating any hindrances to your range of motion while playing.

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Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R Open-back Gaming Headphones

Studio-caliber expertise enters the world of gaming

As the first-place recipient of 2022’s PC Games Hardware’s headset category, the Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R open-back gaming headphones are clearly doing something right. Well, a lot of things, in fact. Start with their immense frequency range and sound localization. You’ll experience an immersive and reactive 360-degree perspective with uncompromising aural clarity, while the velour earpads and open-back airflow ensure long hours of play won’t wear out your ears. These headphones come hard-wired to maintain signal integrity, and the gold-plated connectors ensure the highest quality of audio at all times. Flexible compatibility makes these great for PC or console gaming, and the included 1/4-inch adapter lets you plug straight into any setup.

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Best Open-back Headphones for Studio Use

Shure SRH1840 Open-back Mastering and Studio Headphones

Natural, spectrum-spanning sound

Officially labeled as mastering headphones by Shure, these SRH1840 open-back studio headphones certainly deliver the goods in terms of accurate staging and frequency reproduction for critical-listening applications. But what the marketing won’t tell you is that these open-back headphones are really, really fun to listen to. We’ve found ourselves making playlists just to see what these headphones reveal in familiar mixes. Both the earcups and the headband are rated for hours of comfort. And with large-format and lightweight 40mm neodymium drivers, the Shure SRH1840s are the kind of open-back headphones you’ll find yourself returning to year after year.

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Sennheiser HD 599 Open-back Around-ear Audiophile Headphones

Unwavering quality optimized for endurance

With its 500 series, Sennheiser has meticulously engineered these headphones to optimize balanced, natural sound with immensely detailed playback. The Sennheiser HD 599 open-back around-ear audiophile headphones live up to their namesake promise: they supply audiophile-worthy sonics. Thanks to the large plush earcups, you can rest assured knowing that marathon studio sessions will be a breeze, eliminating any chance of listening fatigue as you work through track after track. Plus, they’re crafted around Sennheiser’s proprietary transducer technology. Their E.A.R., or “ergonomic acoustic refinement,” design streamlines playback by angling the signal directly to your ears to ensure clear, natural spatial performances.

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Sennheiser HD 400 Pro Reference Headphones

Decades of mastery refined for the studio

Whether you are working exclusively on headphones or need a reliable, high-quality reference alternative, the Sennheiser HD 400 Pro reference headphones are optimized to supply detailed, natural sound. Their distinctive transducer design is paired with a high-power drive magnet and damping system to ensure that the bass is deep, the treble is defined, and the mids are carefully articulated — all with uncompromising clarity. Moreover, the HD 400 Pros’ lightweight yet durable housing is complemented by luscious velour earpads, maximizing longevity without the risk of listening fatigue.

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Best Open-back & Semi-open Headphones Under $300

AKG K240 Studio Semi-open Pro Studio Headphones

Light on the wallet, heavy on sonic integrity

From the long-standing leader in semi-open headphones comes the AKG K240 Studio semi-open pro studio headphones, now available at a more affordable price. But don’t let the price tag deter you; we’ll pit our K240 Studios against just about any sub-$100 option in this category. Sweetwater customers consistently praise these headphones for being comfortable, accurate, and reliable. And, given their new price, they’re great for gifts and for stocking up.

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Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro 250-ohm Semi-open Reference Studio Headphones

Adaptable, dynamic, and full-spectrum sound

The velour embrace and full, open response of the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro reference studio headphones provide an unforgettable listening experience. We love these headphones for long mixing sessions in the studio and for enjoying music and movies at home. The semi-open design helps fight bleed inside and outside the listening stage. And, with their deep-reaching, 5Hz–35kHz 45mm drivers, these headphones can handily reproduce the deepest bass and the sweetest highs. As with the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pros below, the secured, coiled cable on these headphones makes sure you don’t have to worry about faulty or loose connectors.

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Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250-ohm Open-back Studio Headphones

Precise sound and superlative immersion

Listeners looking for true open-back response should consider the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro open-back studio headphones. The DT 990s have been major players in the open-back-headphone space for decades. Producers, hobbyists, musicians, and mix engineers all have good things to say about the quality and performance of these headphones. And, considering the DT 990s’ value and serviceable parts, you don’t have to treat them gently between mixing and listening sessions.

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AKG K240 MKII Semi-open Pro Studio Headphones

Studio-grade details and hi-fi playback

The latest iteration of AKG’s best-selling semi-open headphones is this pair of K240 MKII headphones. Notable upgrades include soft, sweat-resistant velour cups (versus the original’s leatherette cups) and an additional, detachable coiled cable (versus a single straight cable). And apart from these few cosmetic upgrades — though, we’ll admit, the blue-on-black look of the MKIIs is more on brand with the rest of AKG’s headphones — the same drivers, frequency response, and self-adjusting comfort headband you’ve come to know and trust are also included.

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Best Open-back Wireless Headphones

Yamaha YH-WL500 Wireless Headphones

Comprehensive listening with on-the-go flexibility

Open-back headphones are often preferred for their ability to produce natural, transparent sound, and Yamaha YH-WL500 wireless headphones put this to the test by cutting the cord and letting you liberate your sound. Their 40mm dynamic drivers are brimming with clarity, boasting exceptional details across the spectrum. The 7-hour battery life ensures unrelenting quality for the entire duration of use. The detachable cable gives you the option to go direct and keep your workflow moving, while Bluetooth connectivity lets you connect to up to eight simultaneous devices so you don’t miss a beat — in the studio and beyond.

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Ready to Open Up Your Sound?

It can’t be overstated how big a difference the right headphones can make for your listening experience, whether it’s casual enjoyment, on-the-go playback, long-haul studio sessions, competitive gaming, or anything else! These open-back headphones are some of our favorites for 2024, but this is hardly a comprehensive list. In fact, maybe you’re undecided between open-back or closed-back headphones. That’s why our Sweetwater Sales Engineers are here to help you navigate your sonic odyssey. If you’re interested in learning more about any of the headphones on this list, other alternatives, or different styles altogether, then we’ve got you covered. Call one of our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700to get started today!
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