Index
- Best quality-price open headphones
- How to choose open headphones
- Frequency response
- Impedance
- Sensitivity
- Diet
- Audio channels
- Built-in microphone and controls
- Wired vs wireless
- Other features to evaluate when choosing open headphones
Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO
The product in question is the Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO , a pair of semi-open studio headphones, characterized by an over-ear design and a gray color. This model, produced by the renowned Beyerdynamic brand, stands out for its exceptional audio performance and comfort.
The DT 880 PRO headphones feature wired connectivity technology, which ensures stable and interference-free sound transmission. The 250 Ohm impedance ensures high sound fidelity, making these headphones ideal for use in professional settings, such as the recording studio or mixing and mastering.
One of the most notable aspects of this model is its frequency response, which varies from 5 Hz to 35,000 Hz. This wide range allows you to perceive every sonic detail, from the lowest to the highest frequencies, with impressive precision. Furthermore, the total harmonic distortion is less than 0.2%, ensuring a clean sound free from unwanted distortions.
The DT 880 PRO headphones do not have active noise control, but thanks to their over-ear shape, they offer effective passive isolation. This means that, while they don’t completely eliminate external noise, they manage to significantly reduce them, allowing you to concentrate on your music.
The average pressure on the ear is 2.8 N, a value that indicates a good balance between comfort and stability. These headphones are in fact designed to be worn for long periods of time without causing fatigue or discomfort.
In terms of design, the DT 880 PRO present a professional and sober look. The gray color gives a touch of elegance, while the sturdy structure guarantees long life. The quality of the materials used is evident to the touch and appearance, confirming the attention to detail typical of the Beyerdynamic brand.
The DT 880 PRO headphones therefore represent an excellent investment for those looking for a high quality product, capable of offering excellent audio performance and superior comfort. Whether you’re a music industry professional or a music enthusiast looking for the best possible sound, these headphones are sure to meet your needs.
PreSonus HD7
The product in question is the PreSonus HD7 , a pair of professional monitoring headphones with a half-open design. This model stands out for its excellent sound quality, thanks to the presence of high-resolution neodymium drivers and a patented, precision-tuned acoustic chamber.
The main feature of the PreSonus HD7 is definitely its wired connectivity technology . This technological choice allows for purer sound and less subject to interference compared to wireless models. Furthermore, the cable is single-sided and detachable, a detail that significantly improves the convenience of using the headphones.
Another strong point of the PreSonus HD7 is its headphone sensitivity of 98 dB and impedance of 32 Ω. These values indicate a great ability to reproduce sounds, both higher and lower. In fact, the headphones feature low frequency extension, thus guaranteeing a full and enveloping sound.
The half-open design of the PreSonus HD7 is a further distinctive element. This feature allows for more natural and less tiring listening, ideal for those who use headphones for prolonged periods of time. Furthermore, the on-ear design guarantees good acoustic isolation, while maintaining a certain degree of permeability to external sounds.
The color of the headphones is black with blue details, a choice that makes them elegant and suitable for any context. The model is also equipped with a 3.5mm jack, which is standard for most audio devices.
The PreSonus HD7 headphones are also suitable for younger people, as suggested by the age group described as “children”. This does not mean that they are not suitable for adults, but simply that they have been designed with use by children in mind, with a comfortable and safe design.
AKG K712 Pro Open Back
The product in question is the AKG K712 Pro Open Back, a pair of high-quality over-ear headphones, designed for listening, mixing and mastering with great precision. This model, produced by AKG, stands out for its exceptional technical and functional characteristics.
Design and comfort : The AKG K712 Pro Open Back features an open-back design that allows for natural and spacious sound reproduction. The lightweight construction, along with the genuine leather headband and thick velvet ear pads, ensure optimal comfort even during extended listening sessions. Furthermore, their over-ear shape ensures effective noise isolation, allowing you to concentrate fully on the music.
Audio performance : The strong point of the AKG K712 Pro Open Back is undoubtedly the sound quality. Thanks to carefully selected transducers, these headphones offer a powerful and precise sound image. The 3dB increase in low-end performance, combined with an audio bandwidth ranging from 10Hz to 39800Hz and 105 dB SPL/V, makes it possible to discover every nuance and detail of the music, making them perfect for critical listening, mixing and mastering.
Connectivity and accessories : The AKG K712 Pro Open Back are equipped with a 3.5mm jack and an XLR connector for a wired connection. They also come with a 3m straight cable, a 5m coiled cable and a 1/4” adapter, offering flexibility and convenience in use. Finally, the quality carrying bag included in the package allows you to take your headphones with you safely and conveniently.
P&R Howard Superlux HD-681
The product in question is the P&R Howard Superlux HD-681 , a high-quality pair of over-ear, semi-open headphones. This model, produced by the renowned Superlux brand, stands out for its sober and refined aesthetics, with an elegant design in black.
One of the most appreciable aspects of the Superlux HD-681 headphones is certainly their on-ear form factor . This feature ensures exceptional comfort during use, thanks to the headphones’ ability to adapt perfectly to any head size. Furthermore, the integrated noise isolation system allows you to enjoy an immersive listening experience, reducing external noise to a minimum.
The Superlux HD-681 headphones feature an industry-standard 3.5mm jack, allowing for quick and easy connection with a wide range of devices. Despite being wired, these headphones offer great freedom of movement thanks to the long and durable cable included in the package.
Another strong point of the HD-681 model is its excellent sound quality. These semi-open dynamic headphones boast incredible sound characteristics , as confirmed by the positive ratings of millions of users. The sensitivity of 98 dB/mW and the frequency of 10 – 30,000 Hz guarantee clear and powerful sound, with deep bass and clear highs.
Furthermore, the Superlux HD-681 headphones offer a perfect fit in the ear , ensuring high comfort even during prolonged listening sessions. This makes these headphones ideal for both music enthusiasts and industry professionals.
Finally, it is important to highlight that the HD-681 model is suitable for all ages, including children. Thanks to its versatility and ease of use, these headphones can be used by anyone, regardless of their level of audio experience or expertise.
Sennheiser AURICULARES HD 560S
The Sennheiser HD 560S is a pair of high-quality over-ear headphones that offer an excellent audio experience. These headphones are made of aluminum , a light and resistant material, and are available in black. The over-ear shape of the headphones ensures an excellent fit and high comfort during use, while the wired type of connectors guarantees a stable and reliable connection.
One of the strengths of the Sennheiser HD 560S is its ability to deliver clean, natural audio that reveals the details of your music. The headphones feature open earcups that facilitate the natural expansion of sound waves, offering unparalleled depth and realism . Furthermore, Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (EAR) technology uses angled transducers positioned in the capsule to recreate the ideal listening position every time you wear it.
The Sennheiser HD 560S is also characterized by excellent detail retrieval and fast, clear low frequency response . With a sound pressure level (SPL) of 110 dB (1 kHz, 1 Vrms), these headphones deliver powerful, immersive sound.
The headphones come with some special features, such as sports and training compatibility, Fast Charging function and volume control . These additional features make the Sennheiser HD 560S even more versatile and suitable for different listening situations.
Among the other components included in the package, there is the Camera Body , which allows you to use the headphones even in noisier environments or during plane, train or bus trips.
JVC Full Size Open Stereo Headphones
The JVC Full Size Open Stereo Headphones are a high quality product that offers an exceptional audio experience. These over-ear headphones, with an elegant and refined design in gold colour, stand out for their inclined structure in line with the ear canal, a special feature that guarantees a more powerful and immersive sound.
The main material used to make these headphones is aluminium, an element that ensures robustness and durability over time. The weight of the item is only 194 grams, making the headphones light and comfortable to wear even for prolonged periods.
The JVC Full Size Open Stereo Headphones come with a 3.5mm jack and a 3.5m cable with a gold-plated plug, offering reliable, high-quality wired connectivity. Furthermore, thanks to Wi-Fi wireless communication technology, these headphones allow you to enjoy your favorite music without movement restrictions.
Another strong point of this model is water resistance, a feature that increases the versatility of the headphones, allowing you to use them in different situations, even in the presence of humidity or light rain.
These headphones are primarily designed for multimedia use and are compatible with mobile phones, allowing you to easily manage your calls and music. The presence of a multimedia control makes using the headphones even simpler and more intuitive.
The JVC Full Size Open Stereo Headphones do not require the use of batteries, as the power supply is AC/DC. This means you won’t have to worry about charging your headphones, being able to enjoy your music uninterrupted.
Finally, the standard package in which the product is supplied includes, in addition to the headphones, a 6.3mm plug adapter, giving you everything you need to start using your new headphones straight away.
OneOdio Monitor 80
The OneOdio Monitor 80 are professional studio headphones, ideal for mixing, DJing, mastering and audio post-production. This flagship model from the OneOdio brand stands out for its high performance and versatility.
One of the most notable aspects of the Monitor 80 is their 40mm driver . This component uses a high-precision multi-composite engraved diaphragm that ensures clear and natural sound quality. The open earpiece design with aluminum honeycomb structure helps make the sound field wide and sound details rich.
Another strong point of these headphones is their nominal impedance of 250 Ohms . This feature allows the Monitor 80 to produce a stable, solid and powerful sound. The headphones can be connected directly to home studio and Hi-Res audio equipment, offering excellent reproduction of instrumental details.
Comfort is a key element when it comes to studio headphones, and the Monitor 80 do not disappoint in this respect. They are very light and have soft-touch velvet earcups. The headband is adjustable and offers plenty of room for ventilation, ensuring a great fit without causing pressure on the head. These features make the Monitor 80 perfect for prolonged use.
The OneOdio Monitor 80 are equipped with 3.5mm and 6.35mm jacks, which together with a standard 3.5mm audio cable and a 1/4″ stereo adapter cable, offer great flexibility for music creation and daily use. However, it is important to note that, given the high impedance of the headphones, they may benefit from use with an amplifier. In fact, a device with too low power could reduce the sound quality of the headphones.
Roland RH-A7 Monitor Headphones
The Roland RH-A7 Monitor Headphones are a high-quality product that offers a superior audio experience. These headphones, with an open design and equipped with 40mm drivers, produce a natural and rich sound, ideal for modern digital instruments such as the Roland line of pianos.
The first aspect that catches the eye is their elegant and refined design. The black color gives a touch of class and makes them suitable for any environment, be it a professional recording studio or the room at home dedicated to music. The over-ear construction ensures a secure fit on your ear, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the sound without external distractions.
A strong point of the Roland RH-A7 Monitor Headphones is certainly comfort. Their lightweight, breathable construction ensures a comfortable fit even during the longest music sessions. The soft suede finished earcups offer a pleasant feel and do not cause discomfort even after hours of use.
Wired connectivity technology ensures stable and seamless sound transmission. The tangle-free cable avoids annoying knots and facilitates the use of headphones. Additionally, the 3.5mm jack allows you to connect the headphones to a wide range of devices.
One of the most appreciated aspects of Roland RH-A7 headphones is their wide dynamic range. These headphones are not only suitable for playing musical instruments, but also for high-quality audio playback. Whether you’re listening to music, watching a movie or playing a video game, Roland RH-A7 headphones will always give you an immersive and detailed audio experience.
Another advantage of the Roland RH-A7 Monitor Headphones is the open format that allows students to listen to the teacher’s instructions during music lessons. This feature makes these headphones particularly suitable for use in educational contexts.
Audio-Technica Pro R70X
The Audio-Technica Pro R70X is a reference pair of professional open-back headphones, ideal for music enthusiasts looking for a high-quality sound experience. These headphones feature an open-back design , which allows for more natural sound and better ventilation than closed-back models.
The predominant color is black, with a sleek gold accent on the Audio-Technica logo. The structure is made of aluminium , a material known for its lightness and resistance. The headphones weigh just 600 grams, making them comfortable to wear even for extended periods.
The connectivity technology used is wired , with a 3.5 mm jack. The cable is removable , a detail much appreciated by users because it facilitates replacement in case of damage. Furthermore, the headphones are equipped with volume control, to easily adjust the intensity of the sound without having to interact with the connected device.
One of the most important aspects of the Audio-Technica Pro R70X headphones is their high fidelity . This means that they are able to reproduce sound with extreme precision, without distortion or loss of quality. This feature is made possible through the use of high-performance magnets and pure alloy magnetic circuit design.
The Audio-Technica Pro R70X headphones are compatible with all devices equipped with a headphone jack, making them extremely versatile. They don’t require the use of batteries or batteries, so you won’t have to worry about recharging them or replacing batteries.
Despite their high performance, these headphones maintain a discreet and refined profile. The design is clean and minimalist, with no superfluous elements that could distract from the sound experience. The over-ear headband is adjustable, allowing you to adapt the headphones to the shape of your head for optimal comfort.
How to choose open headphones
Now that we have reviewed some of the best models on the market, allow me to explain how to choose open headphones by analyzing the various features to weigh before reaching for your wallet.
Frequency response
Frequency response indicates the range of frequencies that the headphones can reproduce and this parameter is measured in Hertz (Hz) . A wider range means the headphones can reproduce a wider range of sounds, from deep bass to crystal-clear highs. Quality open headphones often offer a frequency response ranging from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz , covering the entire human audible spectrum. However, some models can go beyond these values, offering an even more detailed sound experience.
Impedance
Impedance , measured in Ohms (Ω) , is relative to the resistance that the headphones offer to the passage of the audio signal. Lower impedance headphones (16 to 32 Ohms) are easy to drive and can be used with portable devices such as smartphones and MP3 players . Higher impedance headphones can reach up to 250 Ohms and require a dedicated amplifier to express their full potential, but generally offer superior sound quality.
Sensitivity
Headphone sensitivity , measured in decibels per milliwatt (dB/mW) , indicates how efficient they are at converting the electrical signal into sound. Higher sensitivity means the headphones can produce louder sound using less energy. For use with portable devices, a sensitivity between 95 and 110 dB/mW is definitely excellent.
Diet
Let’s now move on to the nutrition chapter . You should know that open headphones can be powered in two main ways: passively , i.e. via the cable connected to the playback device or actively , therefore via an internal battery or an external amplifier (this is the case with wireless headphones for example). Passive headphones are easier to use and don’t require charging, while active headphones can offer additional features like active noise cancellation (though less common in open-back headphones) and greater sound power.
Audio channels
Like all headphones, open ones can also support different audio channels . Most open-back headphones offer stereo sound , with two distinct channels to create a spatial effect. However, some advanced headphones can support surround sound , simulating a more immersive sound environment. This feature is especially useful for video games and movies, where the directionality of the sound can enhance the overall experience.
Built-in microphone and controls
Many modern headphones come with a built-in microphone and controls for managing music playback and calls. This feature is useful for those who use headphones with portable devices, allowing you to answer calls and adjust the volume without having to take out your phone. However, in high-end open headphones, these features may be absent to keep the audio quality at the highest level.
Wired vs wireless
Open headphones can be either wired or wireless . Wired headphones generally offer superior sound quality and minimal latency, ideal for high-fidelity listening and studio use. Wireless headphones offer much better freedom of movement and are ideal for everyday use, thanks to Bluetooth technology which allows a stable connection with mobile devices. When deciding whether to buy a pair of wired or wireless open headphones you need to evaluate the main use you will make of them.
Other features to evaluate when choosing open headphones
Finally, there are many other features to consider such as comfort and the quality of the materials. Open-back headphones should have well-padded earcups and an adjustable headband to ensure prolonged use without discomfort.
High quality materials , such as velvet or leather, can improve the experience of use and the durability of the headphones, although this could translate into a greater financial outlay during the purchase phase. Additionally, the availability of additional accessories such as carrying cases and spare cables can be a nice added bonus (which again usually comes with a higher purchase price).
Conclusion
When shopping for the best open headphones in 2024, it’s important to consider factors such as sound quality, comfort, and durability. By investing in a high-quality pair of open headphones, you can enjoy a truly immersive listening experience that is unmatched by closed-back designs. Whether you’re a casual listener or a professional audiophile, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs and budget. So, do your research, compare different models, and find the perfect pair of open headphones to elevate your listening experience to the next level.