Best over The Ear - Wired Open Back Headphones

Jabberwocky on 05/03/2019 - 18:22
Last edited 05/03/2019 - 19:01

Calling out ozbargain audiophiles , to share their experiences about Open Back Headphones. This is not a discussion to say, how good $318 Bose QC35 or Sony Cans are and why we should consider them over these..

This is to discuss best open back headphones you have used which most of us can afford under $50 - $1000 (include the cans if you brought them even for an awesome deal under $1000.)

Why they are good ? And what have you compared them against.

I will start: (not ranked)

  1. Audio Technica ATH-R70x - $355 - Amazing Reference headphones, quite neutral and very comfortable.
  2. AKG 712 Pro sub-$300 - Amazing soundstage , very comfortable
  3. Beyerdynamic Amiron - pricey $700-800 but amazing sound quality, very controlled and easy to wear.

  4. Sennheiser 650 - Darling of the crowd…. very over-rated to me, as they sound more like closed cans instead of open ones. (better go with 6XX from Massdrop to save some $$$$)

  5. Hifiman HE4xx - Value for money , just bought them from Massdrop for $275 delivered, FUN headphones, build quality issues.

  6. Beyerdynamic DT990 - Another darling of the audiophile forums - Value for money - But too bright and treble forward I think.

………………..
Suggest the cans and I will add them to the poll

Please do not comment or vote if you haven't heard the cans

Thanks Ozbargainers

Poll Options expired

  • 1
    AKG 712 Pro
  • 1
    ATH R70x
  • 0
    Beyerdynamic Amiron
  • 2
    Beyerdynamic DT990
  • 0
    Hifiman HE4XX (HE400i)
  • 5
    Sennheiser HD650 (or HD6XX)
Electrical & Electronics AKG Audio Technica BeyerDynamic Headphones Sennheiser

Comments

  • Jabberwocky on 05/03/2019 - 18:29

    forgot to mention that ATH R70X are high impedance - low db cans, so definitely need a good amp to play them to their potential.

  • HardlyCharly on 05/03/2019 - 18:56

    I like to have warmth, and pair my headphones with a tube amp, I don't think Sennheiser can be beaten for that, from HD598's to HD6xx as mentioned.

  • sheepy on 05/03/2019 - 19:59

    STAX SR-L300 LTD
    Detail, transparency and speed.

    • Jabberwocky on 05/03/2019 - 20:45

      Never heard this model or know about it….will look these up and check if minidisc or addicted have it on display to check
      Thanks sheepy

  • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2019 - 20:17

    HD600/650/6XX.

    I have owned the AKG K712, hifiman HE400, Beyer DT990 (600ohm) and I still have both the 600 and 650.

    In that price category, the HD650 wins. Acceptable clarity, decent soundstage, good build quality and good comfort.

    The hifiman is the loser of the lot. Decent sound quality, decent sounstage, bad comfort (hot and heavy), requires a good amp.

  • jono1971 on 05/03/2019 - 23:34

    I love my DT990’s, the enhanced treble can be balanced out using an EQ. I use Waves NX to flatten them out and it works really well, can also cross feed the signal which creates a room listening environment.

  • DiceySlicey on 06/03/2019 - 10:28

    Philips fidelio x2hr, one that doesn't require an amp to drive it and sounds really great.

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