Best Open Back Studio Headphones of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Open back studio headphones are a type of high-quality headphones that are designed for professional use in recording studios, broadcasting, and music production. They are designed to deliver accurate and natural sound reproduction, which makes them ideal for mixing, mastering, and critical listening. Unlike closed-back headphones, open-back headphones allow sound to escape through the back of the ear cups, which creates a more spacious and natural soundstage. This makes them suitable for long listening sessions as they reduce ear fatigue. The headphones come in different models and brands, each with its unique features and specifications.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones Cover #TOP 1
beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Sennheiser HD 560S Open Back Headphones Cover #TOP 2
Sennheiser HD 560S Open Back Headphones
ftb score rating icon 9.7
AKG K702 Open-Back Studio Headphones Cover #TOP 3
AKG K702 Open-Back Studio Headphones
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Open Back Studio Headphones

#TOP 1

beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones

718173
black
80 Ohm
beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones Cover
beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Over-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones - Open-Back Stereo Construction, Wired (80 Ohm, Grey)

The DT 990 PRO Headphones are an excellent choice for professional mixing, mastering, and editing. With their open over-ear design, you can enjoy a transparent and spacious sound that enhances your listening experience. The strong bass and treble ensure that every detail is clear, making them perfect for both studio applications and home use. Additionally, the soft velour ear pads provide exceptional comfort, allowing you to wear them for extended periods without discomfort.

What We Like
Transparent, spacious sound
High wearing comfort
Durable and robust design
Great for various applications
#TOP 2

Sennheiser HD 560S Open Back Headphones

HD 560S
Black
Over Ear
Sennheiser HD 560S Open Back Headphones Cover
Sennheiser HD 560S, Open back reference-grade headphones for audio enthusiasts, Over Ear , Black

The Sennheiser HD 560S headphones offer a clean and natural sound that enhances your listening experience, revealing intricate details in your music. Their open-back design allows sound waves to expand naturally, providing depth and realism. With E.A.R technology, the angled transducers ensure you enjoy an ideal listening position every time you wear them. The headphones also deliver excellent detail with a fast and clear low-frequency range, making them perfect for discerning audio enthusiasts.

What We Like
Natural sound quality
Comfortable ergonomic design
Excellent low-frequency response
Wide frequency range

AKG K702 Open-Back Studio Headphones

AKG
K702
Black
K702
AKG K702 Open-Back Studio Headphones Cover
AKG K702 Open-Back Over-Ear Premium Studio Headphones, Reference Grade Sound, Airy and Spacious Soundstage, Precision Crafted

The AKG K702 Headphones deliver reference-quality sound, ensuring you experience phenomenal clarity and precision whether you're in a studio or enjoying music at home. The open earpieces create an incredibly wide and airy soundstage, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in your audio. You’ll appreciate the ultra-comfortable design with specially shaped 3D earpads that prevent fatigue during long listening sessions. With a broad audio bandwidth of 10 Hz to 39.8 kHz, these headphones faithfully reproduce the original sound, making them a top choice for both professionals and audiophiles.

What We Like
Exceptional sound clarity
Comfortable for long use
Wide, airy soundstage
True to original sound
Ideal for professionals
#TOP 4

Sony MDR-MV1 Open-Back Studio Headphones

MDR-MV1
Black
One Size
Sony MDR-MV1 Open-Back Studio Headphones Cover
Sony MDR-MV1 Studio Monitor Open Back Headphones - Wired for Mixing & Mastering, Precise Neutral Sound at 5Hz-80kHz, Spatial & Stereo Sound, Detachable Screw-Fit Cable, Superior Comfort, Black

The Sony MDR-MV1 Headphones are expertly designed for mixing and mastering, providing you with studio monitor sound that captures every detail. With a frequency range of 5Hz to 80kHz, you'll experience high-resolution audio that enhances your creative output. The open-back acoustic structure offers precise spatial sound positioning, making it easier for you to identify different elements in your mixes. Additionally, the headphones are crafted in collaboration with sound engineers, ensuring that they reproduce your artistic intent accurately in both spatial and stereo sound.

What We Like
High-resolution audio quality
Lightweight and comfortable design
Open-back for spatial sound
Replaceable earpads
Detachable cable for convenience

Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO 250 Ohm Studio Headphones

459038
Grey
250 OHM
Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO 250 Ohm Studio Headphones Cover
Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO Open Dynamic Studio 250 Ohm Headphones

The DT990 PRO Headphones are open-backed over-ear headphones designed for professional mixing, mastering, and editing. Their transparent and spacious sound with strong bass and treble makes them perfect for studio applications, allowing you to hear every detail in your audio. You will appreciate the high wearing comfort provided by the soft, circumaural, and replaceable velour ear pads, ensuring long sessions are enjoyable. Additionally, the robust and adjustable spring steel frame construction adds to their durability, making them a reliable choice for any studio environment.

What We Like
Excellent sound quality
High wearing comfort
Durable construction
Ideal for studio use
Replaceable ear pads
#TOP 6

Audio-Technica R70X Lightweight Open-Back Headphones

ATH-R70x
Black
Audio-Technica R70X Lightweight Open-Back Headphones Cover
Audio-Technica R70X Open Back Reference Headphone Black

The Audio-Technica R70X Headphones are designed for comfort and quality. Their lightweight build and 3D Wing Support system ensure you can wear them for long periods without discomfort. The dual-sided detachable locking cable keeps your audio signals accurate, preventing any unwanted stereo orientation issues. With high-efficiency magnets and a pure alloy magnetic circuit design, these headphones minimise distortion while offering an impressive high-frequency response. Additionally, the acoustically transparent aluminium honeycomb-mesh housings create a natural, spacious sound, making them perfect for critical listening.

What We Like
Exceptional comfort for extended use
Accurate stereo sound reproduction
Reduced distortion in audio
Spacious open-back sound
Wide frequency range support
#TOP 7

AKG K712PRO Premium Studio Headphones

AKG
2458X00140
Black
AKG K712PRO Premium Studio Headphones Cover
AKG K712PRO Open-Back, Over-Ear Premium Reference Class Studio Headphones, Sophisticated Open Technology, Revolutionary Flat Wire Voice Coil, Broad and spacious soundstage, Comfortable Design - Black

The AKG K712PRO Headphones are designed for critical listening, making them perfect for mixing and mastering audio. Their open-back design and carefully-selected transducers create a spacious soundstage, allowing you to discover every nuance in your music. You will appreciate the ultra-comfortable fit provided by the soft genuine leather headband and thick velour ear pads, which ensure fatigue-free listening during long sessions. Additionally, the headphones offer powerful sound imaging with enhanced low-end performance, making them ideal for discerning audiophiles and professionals alike.

What We Like
Exceptional sound quality
Comfortable for long use
Spacious soundstage
Great for mixing and mastering
Includes useful accessories

Sennheiser HD 660S2 Audiophile Headphones

700240
Black
one size
Sennheiser HD 660S2 Audiophile Headphones Cover
Sennheiser HD 660S2 Wired Audiophile Stereo Headphones with Deep Sub Bass, Optimized Surround, Transducer Airflow, Vented Magnet System and Voice Coil – Black

The Sennheiser HD 660S2 headphones offer a natural and relaxed sound, perfect for audiophiles who appreciate high-fidelity audio. With their ultra-light aluminum voice coil and 300-ohm impedance, you can experience an intimate sound with remarkable timbre. The 42mm high-performance transducers feature airflow optimisation, ensuring minimal distortion for clearer sound. You will feel the deep sub bass, letting you enjoy the lowest piano notes and the thump of a bass drum as if you were in the studio. Comfort is also a priority with plush ear cushions designed for extended listening sessions.

What We Like
High-fidelity sound quality
Comfortable for long use
Deep sub bass experience
Minimised distortion
Optimised airflow for clarity
#TOP 9

Austrian Audio Hi-X65 Professional Headphones

HI-X65
Black
One size
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 Professional Headphones Cover
Austrian Audio - Hi-X65 Professional Open-Back Over-Ear Headphones, Black

The Hi-X65 Headphones from Austrian Audio feature proprietary High Excursion technology, ensuring a linear frequency response and delivering high-resolution sound. This clarity aids you in error detection, making mixing and mastering a more enjoyable experience. Their metal hinges and bow provide maximum durability and stability, essential for long-term use. Comfort is paramount, as soft memory foam earpads and excellent ventilation keep you at ease during extended sessions. Additionally, the detachable cables allow for easy replacement, ensuring your headphones remain in top condition.

What We Like
High-resolution sound quality
Durable metal construction
Exceptional comfort during use
Easy cable replacement
#TOP 10

HIFIMAN HE400SE Open-Back Planar Headphones

He400SE
Silver,Black
HIFIMAN HE400SE Open-Back Planar Headphones Cover
HIFIMAN HE400SE Stealth Magnets Version Over-Ear Open-Back Full-Size Planar Magnetic Wired Headphones for Audiophiles/Studio, Great-Sounding, Stereo, High Sensitivity, Comfortable, Sliver

The HIFIMAN HE400SE Headphones offer a remarkable listening experience with their planar design, which significantly reduces distortion compared to traditional dynamic headphones. You will appreciate the acoustically invisible Stealth Magnets that allow sound waves to pass through without interference, ensuring pure sound quality. The durable connections protect the drivers, making them suitable for various devices. Additionally, the high sensitivity of the HE400SE makes it ideal for use with low-voltage sources, such as portable high-resolution audio players, enhancing your listening versatility.

What We Like
Low distortion sound quality
Durable and protective design
Compatible with various devices
Comfortable for long listening sessions
Ideal for portable audio players
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our open back studio headphones research, we found 84 open back studio headphones products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 212,147 customer reviews through our big data system to write the open back studio headphones list. We found that most customers choose open back studio headphones with an average price of £223.00.

The open back studio headphones are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of open back studio headphones, including beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, AKG, Sony, Audio-Technica. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 190 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.