Open-back Headphones reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 362 Reddit reviews across 11 subreddits and 99 posts to rank the best Open-back Headphones brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/HeadphoneAdvice, r/mixingmastering, r/edmproduction, r/NeuralDSP, r/pcmasterrace. Top-rated brands include Sennheiser (4.5/5), Hifiman (4.6/5), Beyerdynamic (4.3/5).
Stats
Reviews362
Subreddits11
Posts99
Brands26
Products98
362 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Sennheiser
4.5
(121)
"I HEARTLY recommend the HD 490 pro, or the plus for whatever that has the extra cables."
"I have the 490 Pro and they are fantastic. Comfort is top notch and the sound is perfect for me."
"I have used HD650’s for like 12 years and haven’t even considered changing once."
"Not only is it an improved 560s which is very competent in its own right but it also has one of, if not the, best comfort designs ever."
"I can certainly say this blows the pants off of my former gaming headset."
"I've heard a lot of good things about the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro with Mixing Pads for gaming."
"Hd560s or Edition XS are probs the best budget ones"
"You can get Sennheiser HD 650 at a very good price nowadays."
"The most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn in my life."
"Nice flat response curve with not too much bass fall off, and very very comfortable."
#2
Hifiman
4.6
(69)
"If you’re okay with EQ, HiFiMan Edition XS and Ananda Stealths are, in my opinion, the best at this price point."
"Ananda Nanos. My daily driver atm."
"* HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version."
"The HiFiMan Arya are $500 USD at the HiFiMan store."
"Hifiman Ananda Nano. Leaves you speechless."
"I bought the Hifiman Arya Stealth for $1300 and think they are amazing headphones."
"I haven’t heard an open back headphone I like more than that (under $2000)."
"Arya Stealth or Edition XS imo, but not the Ananda."
"Hifiman Arya gets my vote. Good all-rounder and was breathtaking to play Elden Ring with."
"I'd recommend the Ananda over the Edition XS for comfort reasons within your budget."
#3
Beyerdynamic
4.3
(40)
"Beyerdynamic 1990 are the way for me <3."
"Both are incredibly comfortable for use for long sessions."
"They are very very good for the price and to get an actual upgrade from them you probably have to spend double what they cost."
"I can highly recommend the DT990pro."
"Common consensus is the TYGR 300 R are unmatched for gaming at their price point."
"I got DT 990 pros. Fucking fantastic."
"I love my beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X"
"Common consensus is the TYGR 300 R are unmatched for gaming at their price point."
"Beyer dynamic 900 pro x is my personal favorite."
"DT900 Pro X."
#4
Philips
4.3
(28)
"For under 200, you cannot beat the x2hr."
"Phillips shp9500, 96000."
"I have had a PHILIPS Fidelio X2HR Over The Ear Open Back Headphone for several years and love them!"
"Simply incredible and underpriced."
"I got to agree with the Philips X2HR. The sound profile is amazing."
"In general I found myself reaching for the Phillips more often."
"Phillips Fidelio H2XR ? I absolutely love mine."
"SHP9500."
"X2hr would work for that price."
"Phillips X2HR."
#5
AKG
4.4
(22)
"Ive used AKG K712 Pros for a long time, still love them."
"I love my 712 Pro’s for music and gaming."
"The AKG K712 Pro would be a great sounding, well built choice and are soundwise superior to the Sennheiser HD599."
"Fell free to also check out: AKG K702, AKG K712 Pro, Sivga Luan, Sivga SV023, Hifiman Edition XS, Hifiman Ananda Nano, Hifiman Arya Stealth, Meze Audio 109 Pro, Focal Hadenys"
"I’ve had them 4 years and still really enjoy them for gaming and music."
"Of all of these, the K702 has the most immersive experience."
"AKG K712 Pro sounds perfect."
"K371s (wired) are pretty great."
"I think the K371’s would be better for a reason most people don’t talk about."
"AKG K702. Natural sound. Very good and big soundstage."
#6
Meze
4.8
(11)
"The Meze 109 Pro is my favorite headphone and I have ... a lot."
"The Meze 109 Pro would be an excellent choice for non-competitive gaming and movies."
"Extremely comfortable, solid tuning but potentially most importantly for your use case, they are extremely sensitive."
"Meze. easy. Get something that lasts and is built properly."
"Save up and get the meze 109. Be done with it and stay out of the rabbit hole."
"Meze 109 Pro."
"Meze 109 pro for sure. They sound amazing."
"The Meze 109 Pro is a great option."
"Meze 109 pro no doubt."
"Meze is industry leading in build and comfort."
#7
Audio-Technica
4.3
(10)
"Please check out the Audio-Technica ATH-R70X, a classic."
"Audio Technica ATH r70x."
"The ATH-R70x are one of the best if not the best in this price bracket hands down."
"For gaming, I would go with an ATH-R70XA if you want that precise imaging and a decent soundstage."
"ATH R70x if you enjoy FPS shooters."
"Quite cheap, sounds great"
"Great sound, known for their imaging, and definitely cheaper than 400."
"Audio Technica ATH-R70X. Great sound, known for their imaging."
"Audio-technica ATH-GDL3, basically easier to driver R70x with a detachable mic."
"I own the R70x and I can totally recommend it."
#8
Audeze
4.4
(9)
"The Audeze LCD-2 Classic is another option that will provide exceptional bass."
"Audeze LCD-2 Classic. My favorite for metal."
"Used LCD-2 Classic or LCD-X."
"Definitely this one: [Audeze Maxwell Wireless Headset](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audeze-Maxwell-Wireless-Headset-Playstation-Black/dp/B0BNGT66Y5?th=1)"
"I found the Audeze LCD-2 to be a good intersection of value and performance."
"Maybe the Audeze iSine 20."
"My favorites are LCD-2(fazor, lambskin, 2021), Arya(non-stealth)."
"Audeze LCD-2 classics."
"Audeze LCD4 and LCD3 are sublime."
#9
Koss
3.9
(10)
"My favorite overall portable open back is still my KSC-75 Yaxi Pads on Partsexpress headband."
"I would try Koss porta pro's first."
"Massdrop x Koss porta pro x"
"Can vouch that if they're anywhere near the regular portapros they breath really well."
"They're dirt cheap, discreet, and sound fantastic."
"Koss KSC75. They're dirt cheap, discreet, and sound fantastic."
"Koss KSC75s"
"Some Koss (KSC75 with their clip thingies?) if you want to try first."
"The KPH30i is also great, but less comfortable due to lack of swivel."
"The KPH30i is also great, but less comfortable due to lack of swivel."
#10
Focal
4.8
(8)
"Focal Clear?"
"Focal Elex if they’re still on sale. Big step up from my Hd600’s."
"Focal Elex."
"Easy, Focal Clear OG (the silver one)."
"Another vote for the og focal clear here."
"I’d go with Focal Clear in this situation."
"Focal Clear og - good bass for an open back."
"The Ananda might sound better with an amp than without an amp."
#11
Aune
4.0
(6)
"Aune AR5000 - warm tonality, good bass extension."
"I’d go with either the Aune AR5000 or the edition XS"
"For easy listening, balanced and warm mids, I recommend the Aune AR5000."
"The newer Aune Audio AR5000 that seems to be getting solid reviews."
"Aune AR5000 and add the Meze Boom Mic if you want to chat on PS5."
"I upgraded to Aune AR5000."
#12
Audio Technica
4.3
(4)
"I can highly recommend Audio Technicas ATH-R70x they are very neutral with a little warmth."
"Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro (X), Senheiser HD 560s, Audio Technica ATH-R70X."
"Have you considered the Audio Technica ATH-R70x?"
"My vote is the Audio Technica ATH R70x."
#13
Grado
4.0
(4)
"There's the Grado GW100x, but they're about 284 euros."
"I can use them wired or wireless... I up the bass slightly."
"I really like the Grado SR80x."
"I really like the Grado SR80x"
#14
Sony
4.3
(3)
"I've just ordered the new MDR-MV1 open-backs because they are the hot newness from Sony."
"Have you heard of or considered the Sony MDR-MV1?"
"Checkout the new SONY MDR MV1."
#15
Fidelio
4.5
(2)
"I would add another recommendation for the Fidelo X2HR. Stunning sound and great budget."
"Could also suggested the X2HR, they are open back and below 200."
#16
Massdrop
4.5
(2)
"Highly recommend the hd6xx. They are a mass drop version of hd650’s."
"Massdrop/drop + Sennheiser HD58x."
#17
HarmonicDyne
4.0
(2)
"Have the R70x and the HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite."
"Well if you can find the Harmonicdyne Zeus Elite slightly used I’d recommend those"
#18
Sennheiser HD560S
4.0
(2)
"I think I'm kinda sold on them."
"If you're doing mixing, I'd take a look at the AKG K702 and Sennheiser HD560S."
#19
HIFIMAN
4.0
(2)
"Hifiman Ananda Stealth."
"The only wireless open back I know is the Deva Pro Wireless."
#20
Neumann
5.0
(1)
"Neumann NDH-30"
#21
Fiio
5.0
(1)
"I would put the open back (350 ohm version) Fiio FT3 on ur headphone list."
#22
FiiO
5.0
(1)
"I would personally buy the Fiio FT5 though. Excellent headphones for music."
#23
Thieaudio
4.0
(1)
"Thieaudio Ghost, FiiO JT1."
#24
Samson
4.0
(1)
"Second suggestion is Samson SR850s."
#25
AKG K702
4.0
(1)
"If you're doing mixing, I'd take a look at the AKG K702 and Sennheiser HD560S."
#26
Fostex
4.0
(1)
"Have a look in to Fostex TH or TR series (closed backs)."
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