Best Open Back Headphones for Gaming in 2023
Open back headphones are a popular choice for gamers who want a more immersive audio experience. They allow for better sound staging and spatial awareness, making it easier to pinpoint the location of in-game sounds such as footsteps or gunfire. Therefore, we’ve created a list of the best open back headphones for gaming with detailed reviews.
What is an open back headphone?
An open back headphone has holes or vents on the ear cups that allow sound and air to freely pass through the headphones. This design results in a more natural and spacious sound, allowing for sound leakage and less noise isolation. They are perfect for gamers who want to have an immersive gaming experience.
Factors to consider before buying an open back headphone for gaming
When buying an open back headphone for gaming, it is important to consider the sound quality, comfort, and build. Additionally, it is essential to remember that open-back headphones are unsuitable for noisy environments and may not be ideal for those who prefer privacy while gaming. It is also recommended to check if the headphones have a detachable cable for easy replacement in case of damage.
Sound quality
When it comes to gaming, sound quality is crucial for an immersive experience. Open-back headphones are popular among gamers because they provide a larger soundstage and better positional audio, allowing players to pinpoint the direction of in-game sounds. The only way you can get an idea of the sound quality of a headset without trying it first is by checking out specific specs like its drivers, frequency response range, and impedance.
Comfort
Another important factor to consider when choosing gaming headphones is comfort. Since gamers often wear headphones for extended periods of time, it’s important to find a pair that won’t cause discomfort or fatigue. You should look for headphones with ear cups that have a lot of padding and a headband that you can adjust.
Design & Style
In addition to comfort, design is also an important factor to consider when choosing gaming headphones. Aesthetics play a role in the overall gaming experience, and many gamers prefer headphones with a sleek and stylish design that complements their gaming setup.
Also Read: Best Wireless Headphones for Mac
Some headphones come with customizable LED lighting options that can add extra personalization to your gaming setup. Additionally, some designs offer features such as detachable microphones and easy-to-use controls for in-game adjustments.
Some of the best open back headphones for gaming
- Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
- Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3BK
- Samson SR850
- EPOS | Sennheiser GAME ONE
- Sennheiser HD 599 SE
- PHILIPS SHP9600MB
- Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X
- PHILIPS Fidelio X3
- GRADO SR80x
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Review
Wired: Yes
Cable Type: One 3m cable with 3.5mm Audio jack | 6.35mm (1/4″”) adapter
Microphone: No
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is an open back studio headphone that delivers great audio. Its open-back design means it provides a spacious soundstage and clear audio reproduction, making it a great choice among gamers and audiophiles alike. You can thank the speaker’s impedance of 80 ohms for the accurate sound reproduction. However, you also get the option to select a 250 ohm variant of the DT 990 Pro. Moreover, you can either select the gray or black Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphone.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro also has a wider frequency response range than most headphones in its price range. It goes from 5 Hz to 35 kHz. But unlike most other gaming headsets on this list, the DT 990 Pro lacks a microphone. So, for in-game communication, you need to invest in a separate microphone.
When it comes to the comfort and build of the headphone, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is a top contender with its velour ear pads and sturdy construction. The ear pads themselves are very comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions as they are soft. Also, they are easily removable, allowing you to quickly replace them if they deteriorate over time.
Overall, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is a great open back gaming headset. With its superb sound quality, you can easily hear other players in an FPS game, letting you react a lot faster.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Comfortable to wear
- Sturdy build
Cons
- No built-in microphone
Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3BK Open-Back Gaming Headset Review
Wired: Yes (Detachable)
Cable Type: Two detachable cables: 3m cable with 3.5 mm mic and headphone connectors | 1.2m cable with 3.5mm TRRS connector
Microphone: Yes
The Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3BK open back gaming headphones comes with a mic and features 45mm drivers, which deliver exceptional audio quality. You get a wide and expansive soundstage and clarity that lets you accurately hear every detail of your gaming sessions. In addition, the accompanying microphone is detachable and uses 3.5mm connector to pair with the headset. However, the main benefit offered by the ATH-GDL3BK is in the form of comfort and flexibility.
This headphone is extremely lightweight, weighing only 220 grams (0.48 lbs) when not taking the cable into account. This number is extremely low when most other headphones on this list weigh more. For instance, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro weighs 250 grams (0.55 lbs), while the ATH-GDL3BK weighs less even with a microphone that the DT 990 Pro doesn’t have. So, by making the headphones lighter, you can wear them for longer periods without feeling any discomfort or fatigue.
The padding on the earpads and headbands also contributes to the comfort level of the ATH-GDL3BK headphones. So, you won’t feel any discomfort on that end. The fact that the earpads and headbands on this Audio-Technica headphone are both replaceable is also amazing. So, if they are damaged or worn out, you can easily replace them without having to buy a whole new set of headphones. Overall, the comfort and the clarity of the sound, make the ATH-GDL3BK the best Audio Technica open back headphones for gaming.
Pros
- Detachable built-in mic
- Two audio cables
- Replaceable earpads and headband pad
- Extremely lightweight
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Weak bass
Samson SR850 Semi Open-Back Studio Reference Headphones Review
Wired: Yes
Cable Type: One 2.5m cable with a 3.5mm audio jack | 6.35mm (1/4″) adapter
Microphone: No
If you’re looking for cheap and good open back gaming headphones, the Samson SR850 is a great option. This open-back gaming headset has a 50mm high-performance driver with neodymium magnets that are housed in a round, acoustically tuned enclosure. This is impressive because headphones like the ATH-GDL3BK have smaller drivers at 45mm. Because of its drivers, the SR850 delivers deep bass and detailed highs. Its semi open-back design also allows for a wider soundstage and more natural sound reproduction. So, you’ll be able to listen to every in-game sound, like footsteps and gunshots, with great clarity and accuracy.
As for the build of the headphone, the SR850 uses lightweight velour earpads and a self-adjusting headband for maximum comfort during long gaming sessions. But Samson has cut a few corners in the build to keep the price of the headphones low. Though they haven’t used premium materials in its construction, they haven’t used cheap plastic materials either. Nonetheless, the non-detachable 2.5m cable is known to be flimsy and gets torn easily. The non-detachable nature of the cable makes it a nightmare to replace it. However, despite all of this, the Samson SR850 is one of the best budget open back gaming headphones on the market.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Wide soundstage
- Good sound quality
- Clear sound reproduction
Cons
- Non-detachable cable breaks easily
- No mic included
EPOS | Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset Review
Wired: Yes (Detachable)
Cable Type: Two cables: 3m PC cable with two 3.5mm audio connectors | 1.2m Console cable with 3.5mm audio connector
Microphone: Yes
The EPOS | Sennheiser Game One, like the Samson SR850, is an affordable and comfortable gaming headset and is well-liked by gamers. It has some awesome features like open and balanced sound reproduction, a great noise-canceling microphone with a flip-to-mute feature, and built-in volume touch controls in the right earcup.
One of the most interesting features is its microphone’s flip-to-mute function. So, if you flip the mic upwards and hear a click, it gets muted and if you flip it downwards until you hear the click, then you are back in the game.
Furthermore, this Sennheiser open-back headphone has an all-plastic build. This might be a cause of concern for those who prefer durability. But the headset’s plastic headband has a lot of padding, and the large earpads are covered with velvety soft memory foam to make your long gaming sessions very comfortable.
So, the plastic build should have made this headset lightweight, but the generous amount of padding on the headband and the earpads made it slightly bulkier. Despite it, this headset boasts a really comfortable fit and is perfect if you have a large head. It does have one of the widest headphone designs.
Overall, the EPOS Sennheiser Game One is one of the most comfortable open back gaming headphones. Also, it is one of the best open back gaming headphones under $100. And it is ranked among the top open back headphones because of its stellar sound quality, amazing noise-canceling microphone, and great fit.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Good microphone quality
- Flip-to-mute mic function
- Comfortable fit
- Built-in Volume touch controls
Cons
- Slightly bulky
- Open back design causes high sound leakage
Sennheiser HD 599 SE Around Ear Open Back Headphone Review
Wired: Yes (Detachable)
Cable Type: Two cables: 3m cable with 3.5mm audio connector | 1.2m cable with 3.5mm audio connector | 3.5mm to 6.3mm audio adapter
Microphone: No
The Sennheiser HD 599 SE is designed to be beginner-level audiophile-grade open-back headphones for gaming. The SE in the HD 599 SE stands for ‘Special Edition,’ and the only difference with the Sennheiser HD 599 headphone is the color. The HD 599 SE is the black version of the HD 599. Because these headphones have open backs, the soundstage is more open and natural, making them great for immersive gaming and music listening.
As for the build, the HD 599 SE boasts an average build quality with a plastic construction that may not be as durable as some other headphones in the same price range. But because they are lightweight and have soft velour earpads, they are great for long listening sessions. Also, the earpads themselves are removable, giving you added convenience.
Furthermore, the headphones come with two detachable 3.5 mm audio cables; one is 3m in length and the other 1.2m. And you also get a 3.5mm to 6.3mm audio adapter for use with high-end audio equipment.
The Sennheiser HD 599 SE open-back headphone performs more closely to the Sennheiser Game One gaming headset. However, there are a few points where it lags; the Game One has better sound quality and is at a lower price point. Overall, the Sennheiser HD 599 SE headphone is a solid choice for gaming and offers a wide soundstage and clarity.
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Two detachable cables
- 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Durability could be better
- Some distortion at higher volumes
PHILIPS SHP9600MB Open Back Gaming Headset Review
Wired: Yes
Cable Type: One 3m cable with 3.5mm audio cable | 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter
Microphone: Yes
Philips released the SHP9600 open-back headphones as a follow-up to their popular SHP9500 open-back headphones. But the SHP9600 and SHP9500 headphones are fairly similar in terms of how well they perform, with very few exceptions. Both headphones have a balanced sound profile and are good for wired gaming.
Also, their designs look very similar, but the SHP9600 has a slightly sleeker look than its predecessor. In fact, the main difference you would notice between the two is the lack of the somewhat tacky white text on the earcup grille of the SHP9500, which is completely missing on the SHP9600.
The standard variant of the SHP9600 doesn’t have a built-in microphone, but the SHP9600MB variant comes with a detachable microphone. Other than this, both headphones are similar in other functions and performances.
Although the entire headphone is made of plastic, the headband is reinforced with steel. This structure makes the headphones more durable and still remains surprisingly lightweight. However, the headphone’s ear cups tend to rattle when listening to something at a high volume slightly. Nonetheless, the SHP9600 is very comfortable to wear for a long duration, and the padding on the ear cups and headband is more generous than that of its predecessor. In addition, the Philips SHP9600 features a 50mm neodymium driver that delivers clear and accurate sound with a wide soundstage.
Although the Philips SHP9600 has a good sound profile and look, other headphones on this list, like the Sennheiser HD 599 SE, have a more balanced sound profile and a more stable fit. But the former is more affordable than the latter. All in all, the Philips SHP9600 can be regarded as among the best budget open back gaming headsets.
Pros
- Good sound profile
- Comfortable to wear
- Affordable
Cons
- The earcups tend to rattle
Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X Gaming Headset Review
Wired: Yes
Cable Type: One 3m cable with two 3.5mm connectors (microphone and audio)
Microphone: Yes
Another Sennheiser open back headphones with a mic on this list is the PC37X. This wired gaming headset allows for better soundstage and positional accuracy. This makes it easier to pinpoint the direction of in-game sounds. You can thank the open-back design of the headphones for this.
The PC37X has an adjustable headband that securely fits your head. Also, the headband and the earpads have soft velour padding that makes them comfortable to wear for long periods. It also has a volume control knob conveniently located on the right ear cup for easy access during gameplay.
The PC37X bears a striking resemblance to the Sennheiser Game One headset. This similarity is not surprising, as the PC37X is actually a collaboration between Sennheiser and Massdrop (now only Drop). Both the PC37X and the Game One boast somewhat similar features and designs. The most notable of them is the lift-to-mute feature of the microphone. It is where you can mute the microphone by simply lifting it up and unmute it by lowering it back down. As for performance, both PC37X and Game One share similar results.
However, the main difference between them would be the price point. The PC37X is more expensive than the Sennheiser Game One headset. Nonetheless, the Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X is a great pair of gaming headphones for your PC, PlayStation, and other devices. You would need two 3.5mm to one 3.5mm audio adaptors to connect your PC37X’s cable to your PC or PS4. Luckily, you’ll also have the option to get this adaptor with your headphone.
The one thing that holds this sightly headphone back is the lack of available sound customization options. There is no accompanying software that is common among other popular brands that would allow you to customize your audio settings according to your preferences.
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Great microphone
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Lack of sound customization options
PHILIPS Fidelio X3 Wired Open-Back Headphones Review
Wired: Yes
Cable Type: Two detachable cables: One 3m 3.5mm balanced audio cable | One 3m 3.5mm unbalanced audio cable | 3.5mm to 6.3mm audio adapter
Microphone: No
The Philips Fidelio X3 is the follow-up to the very popular Philips Fidelio X2HR. In terms of design and build quality, the Fidelio X3 is very similar to its predecessor, but there are some big improvements. Most open-back headphones show the inner parts of their earcups, including the X2, but the Fidelio X3 is different from them all. Its earcups are covered with a thin, dark gray Kvadrat fabric. This fabric is basically acoustically transparent and is still able to flow, giving it that immersive and spacious soundstage.
As for the build, the Fidelio X3 features a sturdy metal headband with a black Muirhead Scottish leather cushion. The Fidelio X3 is comfortable to wear but not as much as the other entry from Philips in this review, the SHP9600.
The Fidelio X3 also has 50mm drivers that make a balanced, natural sound. They deliver more accurate bass and midrange, but their treble response is uneven. All in all, the Fidelio X3 earned a spot on our list of the best open back headphones for gaming because of its good sound quality and soundstage. However, there are better options available that offer far better features, including comfort, at a lower or similar price point.
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Rich midrange
- Weell built
Cons
- Treble could be more balanced
GRADO SR80x Open Back Stereo Headphones Review
Wired: Yes
Cable Type: No-detachable 1.8m 3.5mm audio cable
Microphone: No
The same features that make the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, Sennheiser HD 599 SE, Samson SR850, and the other open-back headphones on this list the best for gaming also make the Grado SR80x the best. These headphones boast a unique, warm, lively sound signature that is perfect for audiophiles, music lovers, and gamers. It features the 4th generation ofGrado’s”X Serie” dynamic drivers, which deliver excellent clarity and detail.
The SR80x weighs around 240g, making it reasonably lightweight, and the headphones’ earcups can swivel. The headphones also come with a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, making them compatible with a wide range of devices.
However, the most interesting and surprising thing about the GRADO SR80x is that it is handmade somewhere in Brooklyn, New York. Especially when you consider that most American headphone brands have outsourced their production. This handcrafted approach gives the SR80x a unique and personal touch, which is not often found in mass-produced headphones. Additionally, the SR80x has received high praise for its exceptional sound quality and affordability, making it a popular choice among audiophiles on a budget.
Overall, the Grade SR80x is one of the best budget open back headphones for gaming that is also comfortable to wear.
Pros
- Great soundstage
- Very comfortable
- Detailed sound
Cons
- No microphone
Open back vs closed back headphones for gaming: Which is the better option?
First of all, before you go deep into this, let’s find out what open-back and closed-back mean. The open-back means the headphones’ earcups are exposed or open, and you can see the speakers inside. Meaning the speakers are not sealed. In closed-back headphones, the earcups are ‘closed,’ and the speakers inside are fully enclosed or sealed.
Both open-back and closed-back headphones serve different purposes. The open-back design allows air and sound to flow in and out of the headphones’ earcups. This gives you a more ‘natural’ and open sound. It is perfect if you are into critical listening or private listening because the open-back headphones have poor noise isolation. Whereas closed-back headphones usually have very good noise isolation and are much preferred in noisy environments.
However, gamers usually prefer open back headphones because they usually have a wider soundstage. This means you’ll hear sounds as if they’re happening in the room you’re sitting in. Also, they typically have great stereo imagining, meaning the sounds of the footsteps or gunshots will feel real, and you can feel where it is coming from.
The best open back gaming headset
The best open back headphones for gaming are those that provide a comfortable fit, clear and detailed sound, and a wide soundstage. Whether you play video games occasionally or professionally, investing in a good set of open-back headphones can significantly improve your gaming experience.
You can also go through our other blogs :
- Best AudioTechnica Over Ear Headphones
- Best Bose Wireless Headphones
- Best Open Back Headphones
- Best Wireless Headphones for Mac
