8 Best Open Back Headphones Under 200

To decide which headphones to buy is one of the toughest jobs these days. I, for one, had to spend three days looking at the online stores to get the ideal headphones that match my requirement and fall in my budget. And this is the very reason why I am penning this essay down to help you get rid of the trouble I had to endure. Here, you will know about the best open-back headphones under 200 with all the features, pros, and cons. Headphones are the need of the hour. We have shifted to online life. Any in everything requires headphones now. For instance, if you are a student, you need to take lectures all day long at your home. And to listen to your stuff while being aware of what’s happening around, open-back headphones are an ideal appliance.

Quick Answer: Top-Rated Best Open Back Headphones Under 200 in 2021

1. Best Overall: ATH-AD700X Open Back Headphone
2. Best Budget: Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR
3. Philips Audio Philips SHP9500
4. Best Rated: Samson Technologies SR850
5. Best Over-Ear: GRADO SR80e Open-Back Headphone
6. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
7. Sony MDR7506 Headphone
8. Beyerdynamic 459038 DT 990 Pro

Best Overall: ATH-AD700X Open Back Headphon

Ratings: 4.4/5

Design

The 3D wing help precisely controls the position of each person's head, thanks to its ideal design. The straight cord on the left earpiece finishes in a small socket with a 1/4 inch connector included. A massive 5-30,000Hz frequency response renders the ATH-AD700X headphones the best alternative for artists and music lovers of all sorts.

Performance

These headphones won't let you down if you're listening to acoustics, pop, music, or some other kind of tone, with an impedance of just 38 ohms, you don't need to use any extra amperes. The soft earpads don't pressurize your ears, and the round shape of the ear pads fits comfortably to any size of the ear. 

Specifications

Drivers:	53 mm drivers – to produce the best treble and bass
Coils:	CCAW coils that are bobbin-wound
Wing support:	3D wing support for balance and adjustment
Boxing:	Includes connector (gold-plated, 1/8”) and adapter (6.3mm) wires
Impedance:	45 Ohms
Connector Type:	3.5 mm

Best Budget: Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR

Ratings: 4.6/5

Design

Philips Fidelio X2HR headphones are designed to provide precise detail and smooth, polished sound from every audio medium, from MP3 to high-resolution recordings. Headphones credited with the Hi-Res Audio logo must have a bandwidth of 40 kHz. 

Performance

The self-adjustable featherweight hammock incorporates an airy 3D mesh that is not only breathable but versatile enough to guarantee optimal fit — always. The acoustic open-back design prevents the build-up of air pressure behind the engine, giving the diaphragm sufficient free travel, significantly improving sound clarity and smoothing the expanded high frequencies.

Specifications

Drivers:	50 mm drivers – to produce high-frequency bass, treble, and mid-range
Hammock:	A hammock with 3D mesh and self-adjustment features
Connector Type:	3.5 mm Stereo
Impedance:	30 Ohm
Weight:	0.91 lbs

Philips Audio Philips SHP9500

Ratings: 4.6/5

Design

The SHP9500 driver is 50 mm, which is that. The frequency response is excellent at 12-35,000 Hz, which is 1500 Hz short of the Hi-Res area. There is an impedance of 32 ohms. For the PS4 game, 32 ohms is small enough for the controller to power the headphones with the screen volume adjusted to full. The DAC may be used, but it is not required.

Performance

These headsets are a real treat for the size. They should be sold at a much higher price than they are now, but are only available at low prices because they are discontinued. The headphones sound fantastic with all the components brilliantly tucked in. Of definition, the sound is going to be changed and, of definition, extremely noisy. 

Specifications

Drivers:	50 mm drivers – to produce high-frequency bass, treble, and mid-range
Headband:	Headband made of steel
Material of drivers:	Neodymium magnetic drivers
Cable in the boxing:	1.5m cable for free movement

Best Rated: Samson Technologies SR850

Ratings: 4.4/5

Design

If you want a budget headset, it's great for you because it's a fair and high-quality product accessible at such a low price. With a dual metal band construction, they are incredibly lightweight. These models of headphones have a semi-open back construction, and they are just between the closed back and the open back style. The Velar lined ear cups are convenient enough that you can use them for a longer period. The overall sound quality of this product is not the same as the other products in the same price range. 

Performance

Samson is known for quality products and supreme performance. These headphones can be anything but uncomfortable. If you really want a touch of friendliness and comfort, these are for you.

Specifications

Impedance:	The impedance of 32 ohms
Drivers:	Drivers with earth magnets
Headbands:	Self-adjustable headbands that allow proper fitting

Best Over-Ear: GRADO SR80e Open-Back Headphone

Ratings: 4.4/5

Design

The headphone is sleek and the ear cups are thick to ensure that they are immune to drops. You can adjust the headphones to suit the ear properly. The middle is fine and well defined as well. The shaking sounds painful and can damage the ears if the sound is strong. 

Performance

The drivers have a concrete casing with a width of around a penny. They are firmly center installed on the acrylic ear bits. Yet it is really long-lasting. The SR80 uses 4 conductor connecting cables and wider ear cushions, resulting in a more flexible point. The sr80 has better bass distortion, which enhances overall performance.

Specifications

Coils used:	Standard coil and connecting cord made of copper
Plug:	A mini-plug with 1/4” adopter
Sleek design:	Grille at the back

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Ratings: 4.5/5

Design

The competent ATH M20x display headphones are a perfect addition to the widely lauded M series. New architecture and high-quality fabrics combine to create a relaxed listening environment, improved performance, and efficient insulation. A perfect alternative for recording and blending.

Performance

The headphones offer rich and warm tones with supreme quality. Inbuilt or output, the headphones lack nowhere and are perfect for the listeners.

Specifications

Cable:	Single-side cable exit that makes it convenient
Adapter:	An adapter is included in the boxing
Performance:	Low-frequency audio performance that is ideal

Sony MDR7506 Headphone

Ratings: 4.7/5

Design

Sony MDR7506 Headphones are suitable for tracking sound in music studios, TV, film making, video, electronic news gathering-and practically every application where high-quality sound is needed. 

Performance

The closed-ear configuration of the MDR-7506 is extremely common in pro and home recording studios. It includes a rugged build, versatile folding structure, 40 mm driver modules, gold connections, and a professional-quality OFC (oxygen-free copper) chain. The Sony 7500 Series headphones provide a realistic selection of solutions for anyone, from casual customers to studio professionals.

Specifications

Drivers’ manufacture:	Neodymium magnetic drivers for excellent power-handling
Capacity:	40mm drivers
Cord:	9.8-foot coiled cord
Boxing:	Uni-match plug included in the boxing

Beyerdynamic 459038 DT 990 Pro

Ratings: 4.6/5

Design

The pads are one of the excellent aspects of this DT990 Model. You can hardly get a headphone with velour pads in this price range. The cloth covers the memory foam that gives a fluffy feel to your ears.

Performance

Accessible in two trendy shades, these headphones are even airier than closed-back headphones. For the right Studio software, they are suitable for advanced mastering sound recording and mixing. 

Specifications

Cable:	Single-sided cable
Headband:	Spring steel headband
Ear pads:	Soft, replaceable and circumaural ear-pads

THE BUYER’S GUIDE

Different headphones are needed for different applications

It is the first step towards buying a headphone. Different needs ask for certain headphones. For clarification, you better not use the daily-use headphones for professional audio recording. When you're monitoring in the lab, you're going to have different needs than if you want to control and tune a live headphone mix. When you play drums on a track, your needs would be entirely different than if you're singing in a well-designed vocal booth. These instructions are for professionals. If you want headphones for gaming or online classes, the criteria are not that strict and common open-back headphones will probably do. 

Some basics you need to know!

Headphones come in different styles and designs. A layman may think that these designs are only for the appeal. However, it's not the case for the majority of the time. If you are asked to choose between open-back and closed-back headphones, you need to make a wise choice based upon knowledge and not just visual appeal. Let's have a look at the terminologies you need to know before heading out to buy a headphone.

• Circumaural headphones: These are the types of headphones you will see the most around you. Circum standing for around means these cups cover your ears in entirety. And because of its size and structure, these are referred to as full-size headphones. With these headphones, you can get the ideal isolation you need. No air, no external sound, complete seal. Large ear-pads (sometimes hard, sometimes soft) support these cups and are usually circular or ellipsoidal in shape. The latest noise-canceling headphones' abilities are also their offspring.
• Supra-aural headphones: Supra-aural headsets are compact and lightweight. They're lying on the mouth instead of covering it fully. These headphones allow air to circulate. They are also portable because of their size. They're not blocking external speech. They are also used for casual purposes. These are also ideal for areas where outside noise cannot be overlooked. However, it may not be able to provide trivial sound details but still delivers good sound quality. These features make it suitable for casual use. In all those situations where you cannot ignore the surrounding voices, the solution is supra-aural.

Closed vs Open back headphones.

These headphones can be circum- or supra-aural and all have their perks and limitations. Summarizing it all, we have:

	TYPE OF HEADPHONE	PERKS	DRAWBACKS
CIRCUM-AURAL	Open back	Magnificent sound quality	Bulky, heavy to ears, causes a headache, no acoustic isolation
Closed-back	Proper isolation, Strong response	Heavy to ears, accumulates the sound in your head
SUPRA-AURAL	Open back	Smaller, easier to carry and wear, spacious sound	No acoustic isolation, allows air to come in that can exert pressure on ears
Closed-back	Good response, smaller, and provides isolation	Isolation is not as ideal as circumaural, pressure applied to ears

Open-back headphones

Open-back headphones, typically, have vents or grills to allow air to flow freely around fluid, electrostatic, or flat conductors. These vents also enable the sound waves to travel from the outside to the speaker. These are ideal if you cannot avoid the outside noise. Except for noise cancellation, these have groundbreaking features that make it individual for use. These features are:

1. Better sound quality than the closed-back

The driver’s ability to breathe unhindered by friction, coupled with a typically more out-of-the-head and accessible listening environment, tends to bring accessible-back headphones closer to actual Hifi speaker systems than their closed-out relatives.

It's a really special airy and spacious sound that you will hear here, while a closed-back headphone usually has a boxer tone with softer bass response.

2. No sweaty ears!

By utilizing an open-back headset, you're going a long way to the heat build-up and experience longer, more relaxed listening sessions.

The vents and grills on the back of these headphones are not only venting the passengers, but they are also venting the mouth. This provides for the simplicity of heat dispersion and passive cooling. 

3. Less heavy, less mess

Closed-back headphone makers, to counter unnecessary echo in the chamber, add additional content or materials in the back of your headset to provide sound dampening. This weight, in this scenario, is even more spread from the hands to the exterior of the cups, suggesting that they are heavier and stronger than they are owing to the principle of leverage. Open-back headphones experience no such problems.

4. More designs and diversity

In opting to buy an open back headphone, you are freeing up to be able to select from several styles and innovations that are much more advanced, for example, planar and electrostatic designs.

What do we look for in the best open-back headphones under 200?

We have kept in view several factors that are enough to choose the best open-back headphones. Other factors, apart from these are also considered as drivers, type of headphone material, etc. But for a naïve buyer, these factors sum-up the basic needs.

• Cost: buying a headset depends largely on how much are you willing to pay. However, you need to understand that not all that glitters is gold. Paying a humungous amount for a low-medium quality is useless. Quality headphones can be bought at $200 and hence, this guide features the products that are under the threshold amount.
• Sound quality: The material and drivers of the headphones mainly decide the quality of the sound you are hearing. Also, the volume offers matters equally. 
• Air pressure: the built of the open-back headphone is crucial. The ear cups must be designed in such a way that air pressure is minimum and not in a negative direction. It must be supportive and balanced out to keep your ears fresh and healthy.

SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are these noise-canceling headphones?

No, since these are open-back headphones, none of these provide total isolation. However, some products like audio Technica and Sony minimizes the extra noise.

Are these foldable?

Yes, the Sony products are compact and foldable making them more portable but some of these headphones are not portable

Are the drivers compatible with the studio and at-home?

The majority of the products have 50mm drivers that require less amplification and hence, provide efficient compatibility wherever you are. However, with some products, drivers are not ideal for use at home.

Are open-back headphones really better than closed-back?

In terms of air pressure and flow, yes, the former is definitely better than the latter. Also, the circumaural designs in this category provide efficient (not total) noise isolation.

Can we replace the cords and ear-pads?

You cannot do it to all the products but can choose the products that allow you to replace the cords as well as the pads.