Open-back headphones come with a wide soundstage and offer better imaging for a satisfying gaming experience. When you have the best open-back headphones for gaming, you will be able to easily pinpoint the location of a gunshot or footstep in the game.
Thanks to their unique design, open-back headphones have an immersive listening experience. They greatly lower the sound isolation between your surroundings and yourself, they give a spacious soundstage which makes it feel like you are listening to speakers located in your room as opposed to listening via your headphones.
With the best open-back headphones for gaming, you will get a near-natural sound which makes the gaming experience even more exciting. If this sounds like what you would like to experience, then read on to find out which are the best open-back headphones for gaming to buy from the market today.
However, open-back headphones are known to leak a lot of noise even when you are listening at a low volume. This can be a distraction to those around you.
Advantages of Open Back Headphones for Gaming
The following are some of the merits that you will get from using open-back headphones for gaming as opposed to their closed-back counterparts:
– Expansive Sound Distribution
When compared to their closed-back counterparts, open-back headphones offers better audio quality. The closed-back headphones keep the sound locked into your ears but the open back headphones have an expansive soundstage.
In layman’s language, open-back headphones distribute the sound and make the sound like it is coming from all the directions. Also, the sound produced by open-back headphones is less distorted as compared to the closed-back headphones.
– Less heat to your ears
Another advantage of the open-back headphones is that they do not trap any sound on the ear muffs thus no heat will be produced. When closed-back headphones are worn for a long time, they start to get hot and uncomfortable, therefore, if you are a gamer who spends a lot of time gaming, that will be uncomfortable to you.
Since open-back headphones do not trap any sound on the earmuffs, there is no heat build-up near your ears. This means that your ears will remain cool and you will not get uncomfortable even after long gaming hours.
– Superb sound quality
There are a number of factors that determine the quality of the sound. However, sound quality is subjective depending on the gamer and the kind of game he is playing. But generally speaking, everyone loves near-natural sound quality.
When the sound is near-natural, the gamer will get the authentic sound which makes the game sound so real. Open-back headphones are known for their near-natural sound which makes the gaming experience so real.
Open-Back Gaming Headphones Buying Guide
When buying the best open-back headphones, there are some factors that you should take into consideration. They include the following:
– Wired or wireless
Whether you should purchase a wired or wireless headset depends on various factors. If you are looking for headphones that do not use a battery, then you should go for wired ones. This gives you the peace of mind of using the headsets for long hours without taking a break to recharge the headphones.
On the other hand, wireless headphones tend to have a shorter lifespan because the battery tends to degrade with continued use.
Besides that, wired headphones are versatile in their use. You can use them with more than one device. You can use them on your PS4, phone, laptop among other compatible devices.
– Sensitivity
When shopping for the best open-back headphone, their sensitivity is a paramount factor to consider. This factor will determine how the headphone will sound when you use on various devices.
The sensitivity of the headphone is measured in Db and it is an indicator of how loud the headphone will sound at a particular power level.
– Impedance
Equally paramount is the impedance of the headset. This is the resistance that the headphone has when an audio signal is passed through it. Both computers and smartphones come with inbuilt amps which help to amplify the sound of the headphone. When the impedance of the headphone is too high, the sound produced will not be loud enough.
– Boom Mic
This is a microphone that is attached to the headphone which you can plug into a gaming console. The merit of a boom mic is that you can detach it when you do not wish to use it.
A headphone that has a boom mic is better because the mic helps to ditch any poor mic or audio quality in favor of your headset.
Best open back gaming headphones
1. AKG K702
First up on our list is the improved version of AKG K701and it prides itself in more recent technology for better functionality. It comes with a flat wire technology which is driven by neodymium magnets. Besides that, there is a varimotion 2-layer diaphragm which is a patented technology.
One of the outstanding features of the AKG K702 is the detachable cable. This gives you the freedom to customize how you would like to use the headphones. For gaming, this is a great feature because you can decide either to use the headphone as wireless or wired.
The headset is made of high-quality plastic. The slides and ear cups are all made of plastic but they are of good quality so durability is guaranteed. What’s more, the headband of AKG K702 is adjustable. You can adjust the headband to suit your head size.
Besides that, the headphone is very comfortable. The headband and ear cups are covered with cushions for comfort. Moreover, they are angled which ensures that they hit the ear with a near-natural sound.
The earcups are well ventilated to ensure that there’s no heat buildup. That’s not all, the material used is highly breathable so you can wear them even during summer and you will not experience any heat discomfort.
The earpads of AKG K702 are removable. When you want to clean, you can detach the earpads for easy cleaning. They are also lightweight weight so you will not feel any weight even after long hours of gaming.
In terms of audio quality, the AKG K702 has an impressive soundstage. The soundstage is highly detailed, accurate, transparent, and well imaged. The bass quality, however, is not as good. If you are looking for a headphone with a highly competitive, full detail, and good sound separation, the AKG K702 is a good deal.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Detachable cable
- Exceptional soundstage
- Durable
- Uses a flat wire technology
- Removable earpads for easy cleaning
- Well ventilated to prevent heat buildup
Cons
- The bass quality is wanting
2. Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X
Although Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X is on the high-end in terms of price, it is the most amazing open back gaming headphone. It comes with crystal clear and powerful drivers – 53mm drivers, which are finely tuned for FPS. Therefore, the soundstage is exceptional and has a cutting edge over other headphones on our list today.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X has a 3D wing support which gives for flexibility and reinforcement of the soundstage like none other.
In terms of comfort, Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X is lightweight so you will not experience any fatigue even after long gaming hours. Also, it is padded for that extra comfort while playing.
That’s not all; the Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X comes with a microphone. The microphone has a noise cancellation ability to ensure that you can communicate with other gaming competitors.
There is also volume control. This allows you to adjust the volume to your desired level to suit your gaming needs. The gaming interface is also user-friendly so you will find the headphones very easy to use.
Also, Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X is wired which means it is compatible with other gaming devices.
Pros
- Wide soundstage
- Volume control
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Comes with a mic
- Compatible with other gaming devices
- User-friendly
- 3D wing support
- Well-balanced drivers
Cons
- Costly for a beginner
3. Sennheiser GSP 500
One of the well-known audio equipment manufacturers is Sennheiser. We now bring you the Sennheiser GSP 500 gaming headset with a booming noise cancellation microphone. Besides that, it comes with a sensitivity of 107dB and a frequency range of up to 30,000 Hz.
With these dynamics, you will be able to clearly hear the lows and highs with clarity and crisp. Also, the sound output is loud.
If you like communicating with your gaming competitors, the Sennheiser GSP 500 comes with a noise cancelling microphone. Therefore, all the unwanted sounds will be shut out as you enjoy crispy and crystal clear voice. However, if you would wish to mute the microphone, simply lift the mic.
The Sennheiser GSP 500 is made from a high-quality and breathable material which ensures there is no heat buildup. So, you can wear the headset for long gaming hours without experiencing any discomfort.
That’s not all; the earcups are hinged to allow you to adjust them to comfortably sit on your ears. On the right earcup, there is a volume control which allows you to adjust the volume to suit your gaming needs.
Also, Sennheiser GSP 500 is wired and the cable is datable to give you the freedom to choose whether to use it as wired or wireless.
Thanks to the adjustable headband, you can adjust it to suit your head size. Therefore, Sennheiser GSP 500 is lightweight and comfortable. It is one of the best open-back gaming headphones in the market today.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Noise cancelling mic available
- Detachable cable
- Breathable material to prevent heat buildup
- Compatible with other gaming devices
- Volume control
- Wide soundstage
Cons
- Not very comfortable for long hours
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4. Phillips SHP9500
Are you looking for a headphone with an audiophile? Well, we bring you the Phillips SHP9500 with a pocket-friendly price tag. They are available at below $100 price.
One of the outstanding features of the Phillips SHP9500 is the 50mm neodymium drivers which help this headphone to deliver a wide soundstage.
Besides that, they are wired and the cable is 1.5 meters long which gives you freedom of movement. Also, it is compatible with most gaming devices.
The headband of Phillips SHP9500 is adjustable so it can fit any head size. Apart from that, it is made of highly breathable material which ensures there is no heat buildup even after long gaming hours.
They are lightweight and comfortable so you will not experience any discomfort for wearing them for long gaming sessions.
What’s more, the Phillips SHP9500 has a frequency range of up to 35,000 Hz. This ensures that you will get high-quality audio.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Wide soundstage
- Compatible with other gaming devices
- Comfortable long gaming sessions
- Adjustable headband
Cons
- None to note
5. HIFIMAN HE-400I
This is an entry-level gaming headphone from the Hifiman company but it is worth our attention among the best open-back headphones for gaming this year. It comes at an affordable price which is ideal for those on budget.
In terms of design, the HIFIMAN HE-400I is made of a mixture of metals and plastic. The ear cups are made of high-quality plastic and surrounded by a shiny metal. Therefore, durability is a guarantee.
The grill is made of metals and they are removable if you would like to upgrade them. The headband is made of metals but they have a lining of soft leather for comfort.
What’s more, the headband is adjustable to suit any head size. The earpads are padded for comfort and they are removable. Also, the HIFIMAN HE-400I is wired but the cable is detachable thus you can decide on how to use them.
Moreover, the HIFIMAN HE-400I is lightweight and comfortable making it suitable for long gaming sessions. In terms of sound quality, the bass is wanting but decent depending on the kind of game or music you are playing.
But the soundstage is crispy clear with well-balanced mids and treble. The sound is near-natural, detailed, and lively.
The sensitivity of HIFIMAN HE-400I is 93dB and an impedance of 35 ohms which ensures that you get good sound separation. It also uses planar magnets which improves the sound imaging.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Adjustable headband
- Padded earpads
- Crispy clear sound
- Wide soundstage
- Good imaging
- Durable
Cons
- The bass quality is wanting
6. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
Last, on our list, today is the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro open-back headphone. There are 3 variations of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro but for gaming purposes, we recommend the one with an impedance of 250 ohms.
In terms of sound quality, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro comes with a well-balanced soundstage to ensure you get a near-natural audio quality. Apart from that, there is impressive bass response. The bass is rich and warm which allows bass lovers to enjoy their game or music to the fullest.
It is wired which makes it compatible with most gaming devices. The cable is detachable which gives you the freedom to choose how you would like to use the headphone. Also, the cable is reinforced at the connection point to ensure that it does not get cut easily.
What’s more, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro has an open back that allows you to hear what is happening around you. Thus, you will be able to hear when someone talks to you.
That’s not all; Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro has a high impedance and a well-balanced soundstage to ensure you enjoy a near-natural gaming sound.
Also, the headband is padded and adjustable to ensure it fits into any head size. The earcups are also cushioned to increase comfort. Even if you wear the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro for long gaming hours, you will not experience any discomfort either from weight or heat buildup.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Well-balanced and wide soundstage
- Adjustable headband
- Impressive bass response
- Detachable cable
- Compatible with other gaming devices
Cons
- Costly
- Too much background noise can be heard