Best Open Back Headphones Under $300

Remember the last time you were checking out the headphone prices and could not choose which of them would be the best open back headphones under 300 for you? It turns out that there are lots of models that provide decent sound and do not cost that much, so you should not try to keep head above water after buying them. Here I am going to show you two devices that seem to be a perfect choice for everyone who loves music and wants to hear every detail of a sound. They are made by pretty famous manufacturers and you can buy any of them for a good price.

Why did I choose this kind of headphones? An open design prevents the buildup of sound pressure by allowing sound to pass through the back of the ear cups. This means you do not only get great audio but also the pair of headphones you buy will be very breathable. So, you will have no problem using the device in summer when the weather is hot and those who have closed back units are sweating. Let's take a look at other advantages of open back models!

Philips Fidelio X2HR - best overall

These headphones from a Dutch brand are the best open back headphones under $300 since they are not too bulky as many other ones, have a wide frequency response, and come with a 300 cm/9.8 ft long audio cable. Cable entry is placed on the left ear cup and uses a flush-mounted 3.5mm TRS jack — aftermarket cables can be accommodated with no problem. If the mentioned features matter for you, then keep reading.

This device provides a sound in a range between 5 Hz and 40 kHz. Its impedance level is 30 Ohm, while the sensitivity of the Fidelio X2HR is 100 dB. These features make the device even more attractive since the lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power.

The headphones feel quite sturdy, their weight is 380 g/13.4 oz. They feature a leather-covered metal headband, metal cups, and reliable metal gimbals. You can wear these Philips headphones for a long time with no issues. The 50 mm neodymium drivers ensure they are pretty weighty but not heavy.

Sound

The sound of the Fidelio X2HR is led by some meaty but crystal clear mids, backed up by a satisfactory balance of high and low frequencies. You have to know that the bass offered by these headphones is super tight and accurate, restrained, however, also powerful and well-detailed. Overall, there is a decent bass performance for an open-backed dynamic driver headphone. The upper mids are exactly where the listener gets a sense of the space from the sound. The soundstage is wide and adds great liveliness to the sound.

GRADO SR225e

Here you will find some useful info about this pair of ultra-light on ear headphones that weigh only 280 g/9.9 oz. They are moderately portable and not bulky at all. This device provides a sound in a range of 20 Hz - 22 kHz. The headphones have a nice adjustable headband and 3.5 mm jack for an audio cable. Their impedance is 32 Ohm, while the level of sensitivity is 100 dB. GRADO SR225e is one of the fastest dynamic driver headphones I have heard.

Speaking of the outlook, the model SR225e looks perfect just like all their predecessors in the SR line have done before these headphones. The strap not only looks nice but also can easily stretch to fit a wide variety of head sizes. The mentioned headphone model has an innovative diaphragm and copper wire voice coil that were designed for increasing bass response and making the sound stage larger. Sound

Music flows through this device organically and believably. Imaging is just amazing and lets you precisely recognize instruments whilst letting them sufficient space for resounding clarity. The highs have that special GRADO sparkle. The SR225e offers the detail in high-res audio with impressive accuracy.