Open back headphones are a more powerful alternative to closed back gaming headphones but they are not common. They provide a more spacious and open sound and it also makes your music sounds bigger, wider, and deeper. Also, open back headphones gives you a more true stereo system when compared to closed back headphones or other simple earbuds. In this article, I’ll be sharing with you the 8 best open back headphones for gaming in 2021.
1. Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X
Although it’s a bit pricey at over $200, the Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X is one of the best open back headphones you can get for gaming right now. It features powerful and crystal-clear 53mm drivers, fine-tuned for first-person shooter games where quality gives you an edge over the opponent.
As known with Audio-Technica, it has 3D wing support that is now reinforced and more flexible which makes it very comfortable.
As for audio, this headphone comes with a built-in microphone that supports noise cancellation.
2. Sennheiser Game ONE
This Sennheiser headset is one of the best open back headphones if comfort is your priority. Sennheiser Game ONE has a great comfort quality targeted at gamers.
The cups are powered by Sennheiser’s celebrated drivers, also it has an impedance of 50 ohms which will deliver a stunning gaming experience. It also features a noise-canceling mic that will let you communicate with your teammates perfectly.
The headset comes with a 3.5mm audio and mic jack which means you’d need an audio/mic splitter if your computer only has an audio jack.
Priced a bit above $100, Sennheiser Game ONE is a great option if you need an open back headphone for gaming.
3. Samson Technologies SR850
If you’re on a tight budget then the Samson SR850 is one of the best open back headphones for gaming you can buy.
It comes with 50mm drivers in the cups which offer a neutral sound quality, it is not the best in the gaming headphones world but below $70, this is the best you can get.
It has semi-open structure that allows for clear audio soundstage effects, with great noise isolation. It offers a great bass response that enables you to hear your opponent’s footsteps and faraway gunfire.
4. Sennheiser HD 599 SE
Sennheiser HD 599 SE is one of the most balanced open back headphones for you to buy right now in 2021. Although, it’s not the most affordable option in the market, the Sennheiser HD 599 SE offers you lots of amazing specs for gaming.
Priced at around $200, the Sennheiser HD 599 SE comes with the classic Sennheiser design. The design is simple, yet very efficient for both recording and gaming sessions.
With a 50 ohms impedance, the HD 599 SE is a great option for you as a gaming headset. However, to get the best value out of them you will need a decent audio setup.
5. GRADO SR80e
Due to its build quality, the GRADO SR80e used to be ignored when talking about the best open back headphones you can get for gaming. However, the plastic features a polymer that neutralizes redundant distortion.
Priced below $100, the GRADO SR80e features 40mm drivers that articulate a solid bass range. The sound reproduction is of high quality in first-person shooter games.
The 4-conductor cable allows you to make the most of the frequency response since it has 2 extra taped wires for highs and mids generally found in more expensive headphones.
One of the downsides here is that there’s no noise isolation as it’s too “open back”. Overall, for below $100, it’s a great option.
6. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
The DT 990 Pro is another nice set of open back headphones that makes this list. We’re talking specifically about the DT 990 Pro headphone with the 250-ohm, which is the most optimized for gaming setups as there are other variations.
The 45mm audio drivers produce a pronounced bass range which is great enough for gaming. This headphone has great metal & steel build quality which will surely stand the test of time.
However, it allows background noise in which can be both good or bad if the background noise overwhelms the game audio.
The 3m cable is equipped with a standard ¼” connector and a screw-on 3.5mm jack.
Although, it’s a bit pricey, the DT 990 Pro offers you a great balance between durability and good sound reproduction.
7. Audio Technica ATH-AD700X
Audio Technica is one brand that consistently provides high sound quality in any of their headphones. At around $100, the Audio Technica ATH-AD700X is a great open back headphone for you to buy.
It features the popular 3D wing from the manufacturer with support for a snug fit. The pair provides a spatial soundstage, especially in story-based games where there are cinematic parts in it.
The ATH-AD700X comes with 53mm giant drivers that reproduce clear mid responses. However, it has a feeble bass response.
As for connectivity, the cable has a ¼” connector and also a 3.5mm detachable jack for seamless cross-platform connectivity.
Overall, this pair of headphones offers a great audio experience when gaming and it’s a great deal for its price.
8. Sennheiser GSP 500
With this pair of headphones, Sennheiser prioritized comfort and bass quality which are the top things that matter in a gaming headphone. The punchy bass here helps you to identify various gunshots or car engines in your gameplay.
With an impedance of 28 ohms, this headphone is also good for use with low-power devices. The driver’s sizes are not specified but the headphones have a noticeable weight.
The Sennheiser GSP 500 has a standard 3.5mm audio output so you can use it with different devices provided they have the 3.5 mm audio jack. For in-game voice chat, the GSP 500 features Sennheiser’s noise-canceling microphone that supports the flip-to-mute technology.
Close to $200, the Sennheiser GSP 500 is a pair of headphones with great bass quality for you to buy.
