There are a lot of questions, doubts, and worries brooding in the mind of every gamer; ranging from trying to ascertain the difference between open back and closed headphones to trying to get the best headphones for gaming. It has always been a matter of getting what is right, the best, and obtainable.
Open-back headphones are specially designed headphones that have their audio drivers placed on the outside, slightly visible so that you can see them. Open-back headphones are designed in such a way to provide full sound delivery, as well as allow air into your ear. It is built in a design that allows air into the ear cups, eliminating the possibility of pressure built upon the ears.
Open-back headphones have been a great gaming choice not just because of their rich sound delivery, but because you can wear them for a long interval without feeling pain, worn, or tired from excessive usage.
However, getting the best open-back headphone for gaming remains the dream of every gamer and we ensure to help you in achieving this goal.
Constructed to a dimension of 6.70 x 7.90 x 3.90 with 50mm neodymium magnetic audio drivers, Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Over-Ear Headphones are built with an ergonomic design that allows user comfortability even after long hours of usage.
It is structured with a frequency range of 12-35000 Hz, a sensitivity of 101dB, an impedance of 32 ohms, an open acoustic system, and a speaker diameter of 50mm.
Its low impedance is built to provide great sound quality, with pure transparency, and clear and smooth high frequencies without the need for a sound amplifier.
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Over-Ear Headphones are designed with a steel frame and headband which enforces durability, and they are fitted with soft breathable ear cups that assure long usage without pain.
This headphone consists of a 1.5m (4.9ft) removable cable and a 3.5mm audio jack. Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Over-Ear Headphones remain the best choice for gaming, as it doesn’t just provide maximum user comfort but its 50mm neodymium magnetic audio drivers achieve a full sound immersive experience.
The ATH-AD700X Open-Air Headphones are designed with a 53mm audio driver which delivers clear treble and midrange and an open back design (open-air) design that permits the entrance of air eliminating the possibility of mounting pressure on the ears while achieving a natural ear feel.
This open-back gaming headphone is developed with a lightweight aluminum honeycomb frame with an acoustic build ensuring durability, strength, and long-lasting feature.
This Open-Air Headphone from Audio-Technia is constructed to an 11.00 x 5.00 x 88.00 dimension, with a self-adjustable 3D wing support that offers a full ear fit.
It also includes a Gold-plated stereo 1/8” (3.5mm), connector with ¼” (6.3mm) adapter, and a high conducive OFC single-faced cord with a tangle-free elastic TPE sheath.
The Audio-Technia ATH-AD700X Open-Air Headphone is built to a sensitivity of 100 dB/mW, a frequency response of 20-20, 00Hz, 3.55mm connector, an impedance of 45ohms
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3. Sennheiser HD 599 SE Around Ear Open back Headphone
SPECIFICATIONS
Connections: Wired.
Color: Black.
Weight: 0.57lbs.
High performance is always a major standard for open-back headphones. Sennheiser HD 599 SE around Ear Open back Headphone is built with a dual detachable cable system that consists of a 6.3mm audio jack which is combined with a 3m cable, and a 3.5mm jack which is combined with a 1.2m cable to provide optimal sound performance.
This headphone is enhanced with the Sennheiser proprietary transducer technology which features an ergonomic acoustic refinement design that produces a high-class level of sound delivery.
It is structured with large ear cups which are supported with plush velour ear cushions and a padded headband.
Sennheiser HD 599 SE around Ear Open back Headphone is constructed with Aluminum voice coils to produce high-grade sounds, efficiency, low distortion, and master dynamics.
This 7.20 x 6.10 x 3.20 open-back headphone is built to a lightweight design for user comfort and is also supported with a 2-year warranty to assure durability.
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4. AKG PRO Audio K702 Over-Ear Open Back Headphone
SPECIFICATIONS
Connections: Wired.
Color: Black.
Weight: 0.51lbs.
Built to an item dimension of 4.45 x 7.83 x 8.53, AKG PRO Audio K702 over-ear Open Back Headphone is constructed as a masterpiece of accurate sound response and delivery, comfortability, and durability.
The AKG PRO Audio K702 Over-Ear Open Back Headphone is designed to specifications that include; an Open-type headphone, headphone sensitivity of 105dB SPL/V, 62Ohms Impedance, 3m cable length, replaceable ear pads, and an audio frequency bandwidth of 10-39800Hz.
Its replaceable ear pads are designed to be a 3D-shaped pad with genuine leather material which makes them achieve perfect fitting.
To achieve great sound delivery, This AKG PRO Audio K702 Open Back Headphone is built with flat-wire voice coils and Varimotion two-layer diaphragm which are built of a revolutionary standard that ensures master delivery of sound quality.
AKG PRO Audio K702 over-ear Open Back Headphone includes a pro-mini XLR connector that helps you easily replace the cable.
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5. Sennheiser HD 660 S-HiRes Audiophile Open Headphone
SPECIFICATIONS
Connections: Wired.
Color: Black.
Weight: 9.17oz.
Sennheiser HD 660 S-HiRes Audiophile Open Headphone consists of 150-ohm impedance transducers which are matched to a ±1dB tolerance which ensures high audio performance and full sound immersion.
This headphone is built to dual para-aramid reinforced detachable cables with highly conductive OFC copper which consists of a 6.35mm stereo plug coupled with a 3.5mm adaptor and an advanced 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced stereo plug, all combined to deliver a full HD 660 S performance.
Sennheiser HD 660 S-HiRes Audiophile Open Headphone is designed with large ear cups which are shaped to the design of a human ear to offer perfect fitting. These soft velour ear cups are combined with a thick headband padding which eliminates pressure from the head and ears of the users.
Sennheiser HD 660 S-HiRes Audiophile Open Headphone is structured to achieve a diffuse field equalized frequency response of 10-41,000Hz(-10dB) and a sound pressure level (SPL) of 104sB (1Khz/1v=Vrms), 150 ohms Impedance, and a total harmonic distortion and Noise of <0.04% (1 kHz, 100dB).
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What’s the point in using open-back headphones?
By now, you must have learned the clear difference between open-back headphones and closed-back headphones. But what is the point really, in using headphones with open-back.
It is simple, actually.
If you are more concerned about a more natural and clear sound, then using open-back headphones for gaming is worth it. It allows air to pass through the ear cups from the rear of the speaker driver and that is why many high-end headphones for gaming have open-backs.
When it comes to games that require critical listening, or you are engaged with mixing and mastering activities or listening to high-quality audio files, it is ideal to use headphones with open back. It is the ideal kind of headphones for at-home listening.
However, if you examine open-backed headphones, you will notice that there is a high chance of moisture getting into the sensitive electronics of the headphone easily, which is unfortunately not water-resistant.
In other words, if you are going to use any open-back headphones, you should have the issue of fragility in mind, which calls for your extra care and proper handling than closed-back headphones.
In addition, it is not the best choice to get isolation or privacy. There are places and scenarios where you don’t want to use open-back headphones. For example, Commuting, Blocking outside noise, Listening on the plane, Listening at the office, or Listening at the gym.
This is because not only will you be able to still hear noise around you, there are also leaks of the audio contents you hear from the open-back headphone. It doesn’t seem like a cool headphone to use in the above-mentioned places if you ask me.
Are open-back headphones better for bass?
The bass of a video game is also something many gamers consider. It determines, to a reasonable extent, how well you enjoy your game even in the lowest low. Many gamers also enjoy the vibration and premium audio quality that bass offers.
But will you be denying yourself all these by using open-backed headphones? The short answer is no. Open-back headphones can certainly have good bass quantity and very good quality.
However, they usually tend to have less impact than closed headphones. Since a closed headphone traps the air in a confined space, the offers more sound and bass impact than open-back headphones.
Conclusion
So far, we have been able to go through a list of the best open-back headphones for gaming and their outstanding features. We have also been able to look into the essence of wearing a certain type of headphones as a gamer to suit your audio needs.
Bottom line, your choice depends on where you play your game, the environment, the kind of game you play, and of course, your preference.
But, if you are already convinced that an open-back headphone is what you need to spice up your gaming experience, then I hope this post has been able to direct you to choose the best product for you without future regrets.
Matt Connor is a Senior Editor at TechBeastz. He is an experienced writer, creative, editor, and journalist with a deep passion for all things tech and gaming. He spends a lot of time researching about tech devices, gadgets, and software. He specializes in gaming, security, and consumer technology. Matt has reviewed more than 500 products and can be found in front of the computer screen writing product reviews, how-tos, buying guides, and deals news.
