A good open-air headphone comes in handy when you are on vacation. Music lovers want to enjoy their music anywhere. The question is where to find the best open-air headphones in 2024 that match your taste and budget.
In this post, we will discuss some of the best open-air headphones in the market for any budget. We will narrow down your search for you so that you do not have to struggle with window shopping for the best audiophile headphones in 2024.
For music lovers, headphones are literal lifesavers. If you also want to focus while working, a good headphone can help you listen to calming sounds and music that captures your attention allowing for great productivity.
Unfortunately, when you want to listen to music outdoors, things spiral down quite fast. There are a lot of noises and wind blowing all across. If you do not have good open-air headphones, you will not enjoy your best tunes.
What Are Open-Air Headphones?
Open-air headphones are also referred to as open-back headphones. These headphones are perfect when you are on a run, or when you are riding a bike. They are safe and comfortable for outdoor use without sacrificing the quality of sound.
The open-air headphones are made in a way that they allow air to flow freely through the back of the ear cups. This ingenious design prevents the sound from being trapped inside the headphone thus creating a more natural sound.
Professionals love these headphones because they provide a more accurate sound representation. Similarly, so music lovers love them because they offer a very immersive listening experience.
You can use open-air headphones for long hours without discomfort. They help your ears to “breathe” as you listen to your favorite music making them a must-have headphone for the music lover.
The question is, which are the best open-air headphones and where do you get them? Below is a list of our top picks that will guarantee a great listening experience.
The Best Open-Air Headphones:
1. Sennheiser HD 800 S
The Sennheiser HD 800 S headphone tops our list of the best open-air headphones of 2023 and beyond. This is because this headphone offers the best most immersive sound experience you would ever ask for. Bar none, this headset is the best open-air headset in the market.
One cool feature of this headset is that it has an improved transducer. This is a device that converts the audio signal’s energy into mechanical energy.
The headphone also has a damping material that helps to reduce reflections.
With the above features, you get to enjoy a more accurate sound that has minimal distortion.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S also comes with a detachable cable. This means that should the cable become unusable, you can easily replace it.
These amazing features from this German-made headphone make it worth every penny on its relatively high price tag. You will not regret paying that much for its quality.
- Open back, around ear, reference class dynamic headphone
- 56mm ring radiator transducers are the largest drivers ever used in dynamic headphones
- Innovative absorber technology reduces unwanted frequency response peaks allowing all the music nuances to become audible
- Unique ear cup design directs sound waves to the ear at a slight angle to create an impressively natural and spatial listening experience
- Includes two connecting cables: single ended 1/4 inches And balanced 4. 4 mm Pentacon cable
2. HiFiMan Edition XS
HiFiMan Edition XS is another headphone to consider. The Edition XS expands with several essential upgrades that make it one of the best headphones this year.
- A Major Upgrade of the Popular Edition X: The new Edition XS expands on its predecessor’s achievements with several essential upgrades. Featuring Stealth Magnet Technology and the company’s NEO supernano Diaphragm, the Edition XS produces a wide, natural soundstage that puts the listener in the best seat in the house. Edition XS from HIFIMAN brings the depth and range of well-recorded music to an affordably priced headphone.
- Acoustically Invisible Stealth Magnet: Unlike the sound waves created by a conventional magnet, the special shape of Stealth Magnets enables the waves to pass through the magnets without generating interference. HIFIMAN’s advanced magnet design is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence that degrades the integrity of the sound waves. The reduced distortion yields pure sonic output that is accurate and full-range.
- HIFIMAN’s NEO “supernano” Diaphragm (NsD): The new NsD is 75% thinner than previous designs, resulting in fast response and detailed imaging with lush, full range sonics.
- The Headband: The light weight, ergonomically accurate offers maximum comfort for hours of listening pleasure. The exterior is refined matte black material, and the interior features high-grade memory foam for the most comfortable fit and elasticity. The headphone’s structural design supports overall durability that retains its comfortable fit for years of enjoyment.
- The Cable: HIFIMAN’s new 3.5mm sockets are similar to those found on most common audio devices. The supplied 3.5mm cable is user changeable and replaceable.
3. Philips Fidelio X2HR
If you love listening to music outdoors, the Philips Fidelio X2HR headphone is a must-have. This headphone outputs awesome sound that is of high quality. You can even watch movies with it comfortably.
- Hi-res Audio Certified with extended response frequencies
- Engineered double layered ear-shells with pre-tilted speaker plates
- 50 mm high definition neodymium drivers with LMC diaphragm
- Acoustic open-back architecture
- Replaceable deluxe memory foam ear-pads with breathable velour finishing
4. Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2019
For gaming enthusiasts, the Astro A40 TR Headset is a dream headphone. It comes with MixAmp Pro 2019 giving the best of both worlds, quality sound and performance.
- Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, you may not obtain the correct sound qualities or call performance. Change the earbud tips to ones that fit more snugly in your ear
5. AKG Pro K712
If you are looking for good-quality headphones, the AKG Pro K712 is a great choice.
- Over-ear design maximum wearing comfort for long work sessions
- Sophisticated open technology for spacious and airy sound without compromise
- Improved low-end performance by 3dB for more powerful sound imaging
- Revolutionary flat wire voice coil for incredible impulse and treble response
6. Sennheiser PC38X
The Sennheiser PC38X open-air headphone is a great choice headset for long hours. It gives you great sound quality with some of the best frequency responses.
- Frequency response: 10Hz – 30000Hz.Microphone technology: Electret condenser.Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, you may not obtain the correct sound qualities or call performance. Change the earbud tips to ones that fit more snugly in your ear
- The next evolution in gaming headsets: An upgraded version of the crowd-favorite PC37X, our latest collaboration with Sennheiser is more comfortable, more detailed, and more stunning than the original. Featuring new drivers—the PC38X delivers higher fidelity and better frequency response
- Locational accuracy: a competitive edge: To put it simply, the PC38X helps you hear enemies and sense your surroundings more clearly. Thanks to the angled drivers and open-back design, it offers better stereo imaging and locational accuracy
- Venerable drivers: The drivers come from the same family as the Sennheiser GSP 500 and 600—two of the highest-quality gaming headsets on the market. They offer better low-end extension than the original PC37X, so your games and music feel more lifelike than ever before
- Clear ambiance-free communication The noise-cancelling microphone is designed for high-volume low-distance recording and is optimized to handle unpleasant pops and hisses—great for gaming Skype calls and video chatting
7. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are among the most affordable quality headphones in the market today.
- Open over-ear headphones, ideal for professional mixing, mastering and editing
- Perfect for studio applications thanks to their transparent, spacious, strong bass and treble sound
- The soft, circumaural and replaceable velour ear pads ensure high wearing comfort
- Hard-wearing, durable and robust workmanship – Made in Germany
- Practical single-sided cable (3.0m coiled cable)
8. Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X
Last on the list is the Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X. It is one of the best open-back headphones you can buy in 2022.
- Newly designed 53 mm drivers with CCAW voice coils reproduce remarkably natural sound, with deep, impactful bass and outstanding vocal projection
- Open-air headphones produce no sense of pressure on the ears, resulting in a completely natural sensation
- Lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing
- Self-adjusting 3D Wing Support Housing provides comfortable support for a more enjoyable listening experience
- Flexible raised-fabric earpads offer excellent wearing comfort and durability
Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X is a great choice if you’re looking for a comfortable pair of headphones. However, if you need noise cancellation or a mic/remote, you’ll want to look elsewhere. It is also wired which can cause slight inconvenience when moving around.
Takeaway
When it comes to enjoying music outdoors, you need a quality headphone with quality sound. Such a headphone should keep your ears relaxed while also letting you enjoy quality music.
Our top pick from the above list is the Sennheiser HD 800 S. It ticks all our features checkboxes for great open-air headphones. Although a bit expensive, this headphone is worth every penny.
However, if you are looking for great sound, style, and comfort but within budget, any of the above-listed headphones would be a great choice.
Hopefully, your search for where to Find the Best Open-Air Headphones in 2023 ends here. Let us know in the comments below which headphone tickles your imagination, and what your experience is with any of the above headphones.
