Best Open Back Headphones Under $500

How much money are you ready to spend on a good pair of headphones? Nowadays, online shops are full of different devices each of which seems to be worth buying. If you aim to get the best open back headphones under 500, here is plenty of useful info for you. I am going to help not only those who simply love music and want to hear their favorite tracks with amazing quality but also those who work in the music business and need an appropriate pair of cans for mixing.

There have been lots of different open models I used in my life, and the most impressive ones are represented here. They are not cheap but remember the quality of the devices will let you use them for years and years. Open back headphones are famous for the very wide soundstage and spacious sound. Probably they are not perfect for the office or long evening walk but if you are going to enjoy music at home, take a look at the list below. The perforations/grills on open back appliances allow air and sound to pass freely through the ear cups.

Sennheiser HD 650 - best overall

These are the best open back headphones under $500 here since they combine incredibly comfortable earpads covered with soft velvety material and awesome audio reproduction. They are a nice pair of modern headphones for at-home use. When you hear how such headphones sound for the first time, it will be almost impossible to go back to closed devices.

Firstly, pay your attention to the level of impedance which is 300 Ohm. However, there are other features that make this appliance ideal for critical listening. Instead of feeling like you are right there in the studio booth, it feels like the musicians are playing around you, right there in your environment playing. Every audiophile knows about the importance of a wide frequency response. In the case of the Sennheiser HD 650, you will definitely not be disappointed. They provide sound in a range of 10 Hz - 41 kHz. Moreover, their sensitivity is 103 dB.

You will get a pretty long cable with this device — 300 cm/9.8 ft. All the benefits of this length can be felt when you need to get something in another part of the room and do not have to stop enjoying your music in order to do it. It has to be mentioned that the weight of the headphones is 260 g/9.1 oz. They are exceptionally light as for over ear headphones and don't put a lot of pressure on the head.

Sound

The HD 650 is remarkably smoother and warmer than other open back units. In addition, they have much deeper bass. You will be amazed by the beautifully accurate mid and high tones. The headphones are made not only for music lovers but for professional use as well. There are no peaks or valleys in their response at all and I have to say that they are exceptionally smooth. The perceived depth gradation is also really good with this model.

HIFIMAN SUNDARA

Want to get a reliable pair of headphones for a pleasant listening experience? Let me tell you about HIFIMAN SUNDARA. You will hardly find a device with the same wide frequency response — 6 Hz - 75 kHz. Speaking of other technical characteristics, the headphones have 37 Ohm of impedance and their sensitivity is 94 dB.

HIFIMAN SUNDARA cannot be folded but the device has many more benefits than disadvantages. Its audio cable is detachable and has 150 cm/4.9 ft. You get a quarter jack converter as an additional accessory. The mentioned headphones are not as light as the previous ones but they are not heavy. The appliance weighs 372 g/13.1 oz and feels pretty comfortable on the head.

Sound

Realistic soundstage and imaging are something you will love these headphones for. The mids of HIFIMAN SUNDARA are really smooth and not fatiguing at all. They provide a beautifully balanced, laid-back, airy sound. The SUNDARA treble is well detailed and simply gorgeous. When it comes to soundstage, it is natural, with great instrument separation and quite precise imaging. These headphones must be absolutely perfect for such genres as classical, ambient, and drone.