Best open back headphones for gaming? Why do headphones even matter?
If you’re serious about gaming, you must be aware that headphones can play a vital role in improving your overall gaming skills. Hence we’ve listed the best open back headphones for gaming.
While you can practice your shots or skills, but if you are not able to hear the opponent, you are setting yourself up for defeat.
A good open back gaming headphone can give you a competitive edge over your competitors. Apart from the gaming benefits, it also provides you with the most realistic experience while gaming.
Overall, your gaming sessions become more immersive.
Top 3 Best Open Back Headphones For Gaming
1. Sennheiser HD 800 S
What We Like
- 3D sound
- Detailed audio
- Immersive gaming experience
What Is Missing
- Amp needed
2. Sennheiser HD 650
What We Like
- Bass is good
- Well balanced sound
- Great channel separation
What Is Missing
- Amp needed
3. Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X
What We Like
- Amp not needed
- Wide soundstage
- Mic is clear and blocks background noise
What Is Missing
- Sound Leaks
7 Best Open Back Headphones For Gaming
- 1. Sennheiser HD 800 S
- 2. Sennheiser HD 650
- 3. Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X
- 4. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
- 5. HIFIMAN HE-400I
- 6. Philips SHP9500 HiFi
- 7. ASTRO Gaming A40 TR
- 7 Best Open Back Headphones For Gaming
- 1. Sennheiser HD 800 S – Best Open Back Headphones For Gaming
- 2. Sennheiser HD 650 – Best Open Back Headphones Under $1000
- 3. Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X – Best Open Back Gaming Headset
- 4. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO – Open Back Headset For Gaming
- 5. HIFIMAN HE-400I – Best Open Back Headphones Under $500
- 6. Philips SHP9500 HiFi – Best Open Back Headphones Under $200
- 7. ASTRO Gaming A40 TR – Best Open Back Headset For Gaming
- Quick Recap On 7 Best Open Back Headphones For Gaming
1. Sennheiser HD 800 S – Best Open Back Headphones For Gaming
Sennheiser HD 800 S
Sennheiser HD 800 S is by far the best open back headphones for gaming till date.
These HD 800S are premium with smooth controls to get the perfect fit while wearing these headphones. The ear cups are soft and comfortable, which makes it ideal for long gaming sessions.
The build quality of these headphones is durable and lightweight that provides the best gaming experience.
Moreover, the HD 800 S needs an amp to get the best sound experience. The better the Amp or DAC, the better the sound experience since these headphones cannot be plugged in directly.
While using these headphones, it is advisable to look for amps with high impedance since these headphones are heavy-duty and need high power.
Music on these Sennheisers with the right amp provides the best music experience. The sound stage is wide and the overall experience with these headphones is unique.
However, once you bump up the bass and treble a bit, the overall gaming experience becomes way better, making these headphones one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
Sound Quality
The HD 800 S provides 3D sound while gaming which provides an immersive experience.
Besides, these headphones are highly versatile and nuances that are not evident with regular headphones are detailed and precise.
The headphones do take some work to get the best sound quality since they need to be tweaked, but once that is done, these headphones are the best open back headphones for gaming.
The audio fidelity on these headphones is bright and well balanced.
In case the songs are not recorded well, even those details on these headphones become evident, thereby providing an accurate sound representation.
If you are looking specifically for Sennheiser headphones for gaming, check our post on the best Sennheiser headphones for gaming.
Although they are priced at a premium, they are yet highly popular because of their stunning music quality which competitors even at this price range aren’t able to do so.
Pros
- 3D sound
- Detailed audio
- Detachable cord
- Premium build quality
- Earcups are comfortable
- Immersive gaming experience
Cons
- Amp needed
- Priced at a premium
2. Sennheiser HD 650 – Best Open Back Headphones Under $1000
Sennheiser HD 650
The Sennheiser HD 650 is by far one of the best open back headphones for gaming in 2020 because of their premium audio quality.
These headphones are highly lightweight and the earcups are comfortable, which makes these headphones ideal for regular use.
Besides, the HD 600’s include metal grills on the exterior that makes these headphones highly durable.
The headphones do leak audio at high volume, which is common in open back headphones.
The frequency response of the HD 600’s is 10 Hz to 41,000 Hz, which is highly impressive, making them one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
For the best performance, you will need an amp for these headphones.
Sound Quality
These headphones have a good punch on the mids without any distortion.
The instrument separation on these headphones is evident because of which they are considered one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
The Sennheiser 650 provides great channel separation, which is why these headphones are so popular.
Gaming on these headphones can be exciting since it has a wide soundstage.
The padding on the ear cups is plush, which these headphones ideal for gaming for long hours.
The headphones include detachable cables which increase the lifespan of the headphones.
The detail on these headphones is premium which is why these headphones are one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
While gaming with these headphones, background noise is quite clear, that provides a clear indication of your opponent’s position as well, which is an added advantage.
The treble on these headphones is smooth without being too loud.
Pros
- Bass is good
- Premium sound
- Detachable cables
- Well balanced sound
- Great channel separation
Cons
- Amp needed
- Sound leaks on full volume
3. Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X – Best Open Back Gaming Headset
Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X
Audio Technica is one of the common headphones gamers use because of its premium sound quality at affordable pricing.
What makes these headphones unique is that they are open back which creates a natural sound.
Apart from that, these headphones are much lighter than closed back headphones.
The frequency response on these headphones is 5 Hz to 35,000 Hz, which is stunning, providing a wide range of detailed sound.
It includes a standard 3.5 mm cable like any other headphones.
Since these headphones are lightweight, they can be used for long gaming hours without experiencing any sound fatigue, which is common while wearing bulky close back headphones.
The headphones are highly breathable, which eliminates sweating or ears getting warm while gaming with these headphones for long hours.
The microphone on these headphones are clear, eliminating background noise which is impressive.
Sound Quality
In terms of sound performance, these headphones are plush proving detailed mids and lows without any distortion which makes these headphones one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
Besides, they provide sharp and crisp mids along with balanced bass, which provides a unique experience.
However, you can still tweak the sound settings with the help of an equalizer.
The sound stage on these headphones is wide and airy.
These Audio Technica’s can be used for hearing music as well since these headphones have a premium sound signature.
Since these headphones are open back headphones, they do provide background noise which helps you remain aware of the things happening in your background.
Apart from that, these Audio Technica’s do not come with a travel case which can be a let down for some users.
In case you do not want the background noise, you can opt for the same versions in closed back version, which makes it convenient for the users to choose accordingly.
The earcups are comfortable and big, which makes these headphones one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
Pros
- Clear mids
- Comfortable fit
- Amp not needed
- Wide soundstage
- Highly breathable
- Mic is clear and blocks background noise
Cons
- Sound Leaks
- Case not included
4. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO – Open Back Headset For Gaming
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
These headphones released by Beyerdynamic are one of the most famous headphones in the gaming community because of the quality sound it has to offer.
The ear cups of 990 Pro’s are comfortable, which makes it ideal for long gaming sessions.
The DT 990 Pro’s do leak sound at high volumes which is common in open back headphones.
Also, these headphones can be worn for long hours without accumulating sweat on the ears since these headphones are highly breathable.
Moreover, the 990 Pro’s are wired and the cable cannot be detached, which can be a let down for many users since if the cable gets spoiled, the headphones will be of no use.
The headphones are lightweight and comfortable; however, since these headphones are 250 Ohm, you will need an external amp for best sound quality.
The build quality of these headphones is premium which makes these headphones one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
Sound Quality
The bass and treble of the headphones are well balanced, which provides an enjoyable experience.
The bass provides an oomph without overpowering or distorting the mids which is worth mentioning.
The treble and mids in these headphones are clear without any screechy noise at high frequencies which is impressive.
These DT 990 Pros are one of the best open back headphones for gaming available in 2020.
Furthermore, these headphones provide a clear natural sound and wide soundstage that makes the whole gaming experience highly immersive.
The highs on these headphones are crisp and clear, providing every detail such as background noise, opponent footsteps and gunshots which makes the whole experience plush.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Wide soundstage
- Highly comfortable
- Premium earcups
- Crisp and clear highs
- Ideal for competitive gaming
Cons
- Amp needed
- Detachable cables
5. HIFIMAN HE-400I – Best Open Back Headphones Under $500
HIFIMAN HE-400I
These headphones released by Hifiman are one of the best selling headphones in the gaming community.
The Hifiman headphones are highly comfortable, which makes them ideal for long gaming sessions.
In addition, these headphones are lightweight due to which you can use these headphones for regular use.
The earcups are soft and well padded that provides a comfortable experience.
Furthermore, these headphones are geared towards providing a realistic sound experience without highlighting the bass or mids.
Another added advantage with these headphones is that you do not necessarily need an external amp which is worth mentioning.
Sound Quality
The bass on these headphones is well balanced without overpowering the mids due to which background noise, opponent footsteps become clearing audible while gaming.
The mid-range on these headphones is detailed, which makes it ideal for gaming.
These Hifiman headphones are detailed and precise on high frequencies as well, which makes these headphones one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
The soundstage is wide, which provides a rich experience while gaming.
The planar magnetic drivers installed in these headphones are responsible for the impressive soundstage and spatial imaging.
The 3.5mm cable is detachable, which increases the overall lifespan of the headphones.
Overall if you are looking for a realistic gaming experience, then these headphones are your best bet.
Pros
- Detailed sound
- Detachable cord
- Realistic experience
- Impressive soundstage
- Planar magnetic drivers
- Comfortable and Lightweight
Cons
- Sound leaks
- Cable is short
6. Philips SHP9500 HiFi – Best Open Back Headphones Under $200
Philips SHP9500 HiFi
These headphones released by Philips are one of the few headphones that offer way more than their price due to which they are highly popular.
These open back headphones do not need an amp and can be plugged directly into your gaming machine.
The Philips headphones are padded and well foamed, which provides a comfortable experience.
The ear cups of these headphones are soft and cushioned, which makes these headphones ideal for long gaming hours.
The 3.5mm cable is detachable, which makes these headphones highly durable because if something goes wrong with the cable, you can get another.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of these headphones is premium with a good punch of bass. The highs do feel a bit recessed but it is not very evident.
However, the highs are clear and detailed. The headphones are geared towards providing high-quality mids.
The sound effects such as background noise, footsteps are highly detailed, which does provide a competitive edge over your opponent.
The vocals on these headphones are rich, which makes it one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
The bass on these headphones is quite evident without overpowering the vocals. The sound stage for music on these headphones is impressive.
Minute details such as instruments, gunshots and ambient noise are highly evident, making these headphones one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
The imaging on these headphones while gaming is highly noticeable due to which these headphones are highly popular.
In addition, these Philips headphones are one of the best budget headphones for gaming which is why these headphones are so popular.
The sound of these headphones can be tweaked with an equalizer. In case you have an amp, the sound quality on these headphones would only get even better and detailed.
Overall if you are looking for high-quality headphones and you have a limited budget then these headphones are the best bang for your buck.
Pros
- Premium build
- Amp not needed
- Detachable cable
- Vocals sound good
- Imaging is impressive
- Breathable headphones
Cons
- Bass is a bit low
- Highs sound a bit recessed
7. ASTRO Gaming A40 TR – Best Open Back Headset For Gaming
ASTRO Gaming A40TR
Key Highlights
- Clean and detailed audio
- Natural sound experience
- Sound settings can be customized
These Astro headphones include a premium build quality with an inbuilt mic for gaming.
The company also provides accessories such as earcups, mic, which makes it easy to replace and customize these headphones as per your preference.
The Astro headphones are highly breathable, which makes it ideal for long hours of gaming.
Besides, these Astro headphones include a 3.5mm detachable cord which can be replaced if they get spoiled. The microphone is detachable as well.
Furthermore, the microphone of the headphones is clear and natural, eliminating most of the background sound.
These gaming headphones provide an open and wide soundstage which makes the gaming experience highly immersive.
Moreover, the amp that comes along with the headphones includes four presets which can be tweaked as per your preference.
Sound Quality
The audio on these headphones are well balanced with a good punch of bass that makes the whole gaming experience enjoyable.
The vocals on these headphones are high resolution which makes these headphones one the best open back headphones for gaming.
The footsteps and enemy position on these headphones are highly evident.
Additionally, you can also increase the mids from the command centre, which makes it easy to detect opponent position.
The highs on these headphones are plush without any screeches, thereby making these headphones one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
While using these headphones for long gaming sessions, there was no sound fatigue which is why these headphones are worth the buck.
The tournament mode is something we found the best mode to play, where the headphones eliminated the background noise heavily.
To get the best performance from these headphones, you would have to tweak the settings since the headphones have a realistic sound experience.
Overall these headphones can be considered as one of the best open back headphones for gaming.
If you are looking for headphones that can be used for gaming, working out and daily use, check out our post on the best over ear headphones for working out.
Pros
- Detachable cord
- Premium build quality
- Clean and detailed audio
- Natural sound experience
- Sound settings can be customized
- Mic eliminates background noise
Cons
- Sound needs to be tweaked
- Amp needed for best experience
Quick Recap On 7 Best Open Back Headphones For Gaming
- 1. Sennheiser HD 800 S
- 2. Sennheiser HD 650
- 3. Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X
- 4. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
- 5. HIFIMAN HE-400I
- 6. Philips SHP9500 HiFi
- 7. ASTRO Gaming A40 TR
Ending Thoughts On Best Open Back Headphones For Gaming
This post was an in-depth review of the best open back headphones for gaming.
Although there are many headphones available for gaming, we find these headphones to be the best open back headphones for gaming in 2020.
It all comes down to individual need and preferences, however in terms of gaming experience and getting that competitive advantage to improve your gameplay, we found these headphones to be the best.
If you prefer closed back headphones, check our post on the best closed back headphones for gaming.
Most of these headphones can be tweaked and customized from accessories to sound, which provides a customized experience.
All the headphones mentioned in the post are ideal for gaming. However, we found the Sennheiser Hd 800 S to be the best open back headphones for gaming.
Let us know your views about the best open back headphones for gaming in the comment section.
Check out our recent content on headphones, soundbars, speakers and earphones.
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