Best Open Back Headphones Under 200 in 2022

Are you a music lover? Do you want to replace old-fashioned headphones and get the best open back headphones under 200 in 2022? Well, this article is intended to answer all these questions.

Open back headphones are ideal to avoid ear fatigue. If you are new to the concept, let me explain the difference between closed back headphones and open back headphones.

Headphones come in two types

closed back headphones and Open back headphones. You can choose either according to your mood or the environment around you.

Closed back headphones

 Closed back headphones are used when you want to listen to just music, without any noise from the environment. They create isolation between 

They create a seal around the nose and separate the inside audio from the outside. 

Open back headphones

As the name employs, open back means the back of the headphones has open ear cans. There are no barriers between the driver and the outside world. Open back headphones are built to let sound in and out of the headphones. People around you can listen to this sound, which means no isolation from the outside world. People around you will be able to hear what you are listening to. The design is such that you can see through the headphone internals. It sounds like the music is being played in the room instead of your head.

Now, if we talk about the history of these headphones, Sennheiser was the first company that has credit to introduce open back headphones to the world. The company launched its HD414 on-ear headphones in 1968 that was small-sized and one of the best open back headphone of its time.

Is it worth getting the best open back headphones under 200?

The answer is yes. Open back headphones give a sound that is less enfolded, natural and clear. They will make me feel more immersed in music. You feel you are in a room where musicians are playing the music. This feature makes open back headphones an enjoyable experience.

What are the features of the best open back headphones?

Comfort level: The most straightforward and fundamental criterion to choose an open back headphone is comfort. Specifications such as weight, stiffness; contact pressure; earpad shape, and material play a key role in defining the comfort of a headphone. Consider heat emission from the earcups during longer listening sessions may affect your ear. Open back headphones, overall, give you a more natural experience than closed back headphones.

Impedance: your headphones should be compatible with different audio devices. High-end circumoral headphones are recommended. You can easily incorporate these headphones into your setup.

Frequency Response:  Best open back headphones can produce a full audible spectrum from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz(the human ear can detect sound in this range of spectrum).

Wireless capabilities:  this feature is an additional benefit since they are more comfortable and convenient to use.

I have a list based on my personal opinion. I listed one of the Six best open back headphones under 200, which give the best fit and are available at an affordable price.  

1: Audio Technica

Specifications: 

Audio Technics is one of the audio pioneers. Audio Technica ATH-AD700x is identical to the previous model in terms of sound properties as their previous AD 700. The new ones are improved designs designed to give an ultra-comfortable sound experience.

What I like about these headphones is that there are many audio leaks. That means you can hear what is happening around you in your environment.

Weight: they are lightweight, weighing only 265 grams which means they are not that small.

Design: it has aluminium honeycomb ear cups with the Audio Technica logo.

Ear cushions: the large ear cushions are very comfortable and deep. This feature helps you avoid ear contact with the inner cap. Ear cups are massive.

Headband: it comes with a fantastic headband. It has a very open design that allows your head to breathe. It has a 3D-Wing design that is something different from traditional headbands. This design automatically adjusts around your head.

Cons: headbands are loose.

2: Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro 

Technical Specifications: 

One of the best open back headphones under 200 is the DT-990 pro. They are becoming increasingly popular among the gaming community. I have checked if the hype is real or if it’s just a brand deal turned into fat.

Design: iconic black color with the white reel inside of which dynamic is known. These are super comfortable. The thing that makes DT-990 Pro one of the best open back headphones under 200 is they don’t get heat-up during an extensive gaming session. The headband contains an excellent clamping that gives a perfect fit. The top of the headband has replaceable leather.

DT-990 Pro comes with a leather pouch that has a handle. It has nothing but soft padding that is perfect for travel days.

3: Sennheiser HD 599

If you are looking for comfort best sound at an affordable price, these headphones are the best investment to make. The Sennheiser HD 599 are the best open back headphones that come with a fantastic performance at an affordable price.

Technical Specifications:

The list is incomplete without adding this pair to my list.

Sound Quality: The sound is natural and deep, making it one of the best open back headphones. The Sennheiser propriety transducer technology produces only sound. It has an Ergonomic acoustic refinement design that channels the audio signal directly to the user.

Cable: It comes with a 3-meter cable with a 6.35mm plug and a 1.2-meter cable with a 3.5mm straight plug. The same sum feature is collected within the $200 range. 

Comfort level: comfort level of these headphones is unbeatable. Even after listening to music for hours, your ears don’t get hurt. You can enjoy a long, long listening session with these headphones.

4: AKG K612 Pro

Technical Specification: 

Description:

These headphones are placed in the best open back headphones under 200 because of their accurate audio production. 

Let’s see what they offer in the description below.

Frequency: these headphones deliver a natural audio reproduction. The frequency is high and ranges from 12 Hz-39,500 Hz. 

Design: excellent drivers with an open design to offer wide stereo images. The design is very simple and classic. 

Cables: Fixed 3-meter cable. It is quite thick and has strain relief on the plug.

Weight: K612 is very lightweight. It weighs only 235g. 

That is very low weight–size ratio. 

Headband: the headbands are very flexible. 

Comfort: Due to their lightweight, these headphones are comfortable to wear. The fit is quite secure. 

Headband: It has a broad headband. It doesn’t require any specific adjustment. These are easy to take off and put on. 

5: Philips SHP9600

These headphones are classic and impressive open back headphones under 200. Philips SHP9600 is an upgraded version of SHP9500. These are some of the best open back headphones. Why? Because these headphones have high Quality and low price.

Technical Specifications:

This headphone is very reasonable to use for an extended period. This headphone is exceptional, especially for the price. It does have its gripes, but it can be circumvented with relative ease. It is an upgraded version of SPH9500. Philps 

Drivers: 50mm driverswith earcups in these are enormous.  

• Pad material: Pad material is not good. 
• Cable: Detachable 3.6 mm cable. It is made up of entirely rubber, not an exceptional feature to have.
• Comfort: 9600 are extremely comfortable, just like their predecessors, 9500 and 9500s.
• Earcups: earcups are quite massive, which can be a good fit for anybody. The form is nice and plushy enough.
• Weight: SHP9600 are lightweight and comfortable.

Cons:

• build is cheap. It’s mostly plastic with a steel headband
• We can’t say it’s exceptional. 
• The build quality feels so flimsy, especially how the cups seem to rotate on just 2 tiny swivels. 
• The redesign. It doesn’t look good, compared to the nice industrial look of the 9500s.

You can also check this: 10 Best Bluetooth Speakers Under 150 in 2022

6: Philips Fidelio X2HR

These are over-ear headphones with a good passive soundstage performance. 

Headband: the headband is automatically adjustable that has a comfortable fit. These headphones are good for a long listening session. The sound profile is very neutral and balanced, reproducing vocals and leading instruments very accurately.

Build: Build is very good. 

Cable: Detachable cable. This makes it easy to replace the cable if it gets damaged. 

They are more durable than their predecessor, 9500. It means they can withstand fair amounts of drops without being damaged. 

Earcups are well padded.

All these qualities make Philips headphones for neutral sound listening. They have overall sleek and have a premium look.

 PROS

• A well-balanced sound profile.
• Comfortable.
• they are affordable.
• Premium, durable look and feel.

CONS

• Bulky design.
• Due to bulky design, it’s not an easily portable device.
• Open back design results in poor noise isolation and leakage performance.

7:  Grado Prestige SR225e 

This list of best open back headphones under 200 is incomplete without adding this legend to the list. This brand is the holy grail of open back headphones. Grado presents premium quality headphones. The popular Grado SR225e features Grado’s trademark old-school radio headphone like design with no big changes in all these years. This headphone is part of a family with all the models of over-ear open back headphones.

Technical specifications: 

Headband: it is thin with no fancy leather padding. This helps it be more light in weight. These antenna like headbands are very easy to use and adjust.

Cable: The cable is thick and strong. This makes them more durable.

Sound Quality: the sound quality has improved over the years, making it the best choice to make. It has a very fantastic Soundstage. In overall performance following are the pros and cons that I experienced.

Pros:

• Tight bass
• Nice impact
• Comfort is excellent
• Clarity is outclass

Cons:

• A 3.5mm jack is too big and thick for most larger phone cases.
• A non-detachable cable is a negative 

The final word is these headphones are a fantastic investment in terms of sound quality.

I hope you liked this list, and it will help you choose one of the best open back headphones under 200 in 2022. So go and shop for these headphones and get addicted to them. You would love to use these headphones. Also, follow safety measures to use these gadgets. Keep yourself up-to-date and safe at the same time.

Please share your experience with these headphones in the comment section below.