9 Best Open Back Headphones of 2019

1. Philips SHP9500

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

Are you in the market for a budget open back model that provides great audio and a comfortable fit? Then the Philips SHP9500 should be towards the top of your list as the value for money here is excellent. Read more to find out why this product made our list of the best open back headphones.

The audio of this headset is accurate and the level of reproduction is excellent. However, the bass quality is not as good as some competitors. If you’re used to headphones that deliver excellent bass that’s powerful, then you’ll feel as if something is missing here.

However, what is appreciated here is the massive soundstage, which contributes to a rich sound. This is what an open back design is all about, but make sure you use the headphones in a quiet environment. That’s because the open acoustics allow sound to leak in and also leak out.

The impedance is 32 ohms, the sensitivity is 101 decibels, and the frequency response is 12-35,000Hz. This means the quality of the audio experience is great and competitive in the budget open back headphone market.

The 1.5m cable isn’t the longest on the list, but good enough. Also the double layered headband is comfortable to wear. Another advantage of an open back design is that air ventilation is not a problem. This means sweat and heat build-up is not going to be a problem after multiple hours of use.

Philips is a reputable company and has already released some of the best budget headphones on the market. Therefore, they have experience in the industry and this product represents years of innovation.

To summarize, the Philips SHP9500 is an excellent budget option for those of you that have been struggling to find a pair of headphones that gets the job done at a relatively low price. The combination of a comfortable design and excellent audio reproduction means you’re getting a great deal. The only problem with this product is the implementation of the bass – it lacks the power you might experience with competitors.

2. Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

Audio Technica is a reputable brand that can be trusted to deliver a great product, and this headphone model will not disappoint you. The combination of the flexible raised fabric earpads and newly designed 53mm drivers are just some of the highlights to pay attention to here.

The large earpads exert no pressure on the ears and you will feel comfortable after multiple hours of use. The aluminum casing is rather light and means you’ll be able to not be weighed down by a heavy product. You can also adjust the headband so that a comfortable fit is achieved.

The 53 mm drivers have CCAW voice coils that reproduce the audio at accurately. The bass will be impactful and the clarity of the audio at all decibel levels is excellent. You can enjoy superb audio regardless of what you are using this product for.

The weight of the product is 235g and the cable length is 3m. Furthermore, the sensitivity is at an impressive 100 decibels and the maximum input power is 500 mW. All of these specifications combine to provide an audio experience that represents a bargain at the price point.

To conclude, the Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X is a top quality product for the budget buyer that doesn’t want to compromise on the quality of the audio. The 53 mm drivers and the comfortable fit means you’re getting a comprehensive product.

3. Grado SR80e Prestige Series Headphones

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

Another popular option in the budget category is the Grado SR80e Prestige Series Headphones that come at the price of just under $100. It’s got a clever design that will be appreciated by experienced headphone users and those fresh to the marketplace.

The soft vinyl headband is easily adjustable and makes contact with the top of your head with low pressure. This is a much appreciated feature because it greatly improves the comfort of wearing the headphones for an extended time. Also the large ear cushions contribute to the amazing comfort as they are over-sized and soft. Therefore, a minimal amount of pressure will be exerted on your head by the headphones.

Due to the sound leakage of the product make sure that you select an isolated environment as otherwise you might annoy people around you. However, the open back design leads to an immersive audio experience that adds a lot of quality.

What sets the Grado SR80e apart from the rest in the budget category is the quality of the audio at low, mid, and high tones. You can expect greater clarity and depth of detail when compared with headphones in a similar price range. It goes to show that you do not need to pay a premium in order to enjoy high quality audio.

However, the quality of the materials used and durability might not match higher priced headphones. It means you’ll need to sacrifice the practicality of the product for the great audio quality. Therefore, the Grado SR80e headphones are ideal for those who will be limiting their use to indoors.

To conclude, the Grado SR80e is one of the top choices for the budget buyers that interested in a top open back headphone product. The mix of the great audio and comfortable fit is all you really need that’s provided here. At under $100 you will struggle to find a better product that is capable of delivering an immersive audio price regardless of what type of audio you’re listening to.

4. Superlux HD 681

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

This is a semi-open back design, but it makes this list because of the excellent value for money. For the price of around $35, you’re getting good quality audio and a comfortable design. It’s designed for the budget buyer that doesn’t have a big budget but isn’t willing to sacrifice on the quality of the product either.

The self-adjusting headband is able to provide a great fit, but the durability of the headband is questionable. That’s because the materials used overall are not premium, but the fit is comfortable. Therefore, if you want to ensure this product is going to stand the test of time you need to be careful with it. Also the design is light, which means fatigue is not going to be a problem when you wear these for multiple hours.

The hi-fi quality audio is excellent and the bass response is great too. You’ll be able to enjoy a powerful sound, but also one that is not going to omit the various audio details other budget options do. The audio quality is excellent for the price point and you’ll struggle to find a better version at the same price.

Visually the product looks rather cheap, but if you’re not the type of buyer that cares about the aesthetics, then this is not much of a disadvantage. However, if you’re looking for a pair to wear while out and about, then you might want to look for another option.

To conclude, the Superlux HD 681 is an excellent choice for buyers that only have a budget for a cheap option. However, the comfort of the design and the quality of the audio does not let you down. The only problem is the cheap materials used as durability can become an issue sooner rather than later.