Best Semi Open Headphones

It might be confusing to choose the best semi open headphones since there is not much information about them on the web. So, I decided to check a few such units by myself in order to create my own summary about them.

Semi open headphones are not as popular as other models, however they do have a lot of benefits. For instance, closed back devices are usually not breathable since all the area behind is covered with some material.

Speaking of the headphones with an open design, they often leak sound and are not suitable for using outside. With regard to semi open devices, they are the middle way between these kinds of headphones.

Such appliances can provide a pretty wide soundstage. Their headphone drivers are not completely sealed which allows the air to come through. If you like listening to music with string instruments, semi open headphones will reproduce maximum accurate tunes.

Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro - best overall

In case you want to buy the best semi open headphones from the world's leading manufacturer, here they are. Let me tell you about this wired device with a pretty stylish design. One of its most impressive features is the frequency response since this model produces the sound in a range of 5 Hz - 35 kHz. You may be also astonished by the level of impedance which is 250 Ohm. The headphones terminated in a 1/8th-inch TRS plug, threaded for a 1/4-inch adapter which is used for high-end/high-output systems. When it comes to sensitivity, it is average — 96 dB.

I have to mention that this device weighs 295 g/10.4 oz which is not much for a pair of over ear headphones. They are pretty light and come with a carry case. The DT 880 Pro has a quite long audio cable — 300 cm/9.8 ft. This means you can move around your room without having a problem with a wire.

Sound

If you want to hear natural, open, and uncolored sound from a good set of professional headphones, Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro is perfect for you. Their semi open design offers an excellent sense of space. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, the headphones produce full-sounding, accurate low frequency response. This appliance manages to provide strong bass depth without inventing lows where they don't exist. If you want to get the most out of them, it makes sense to use an AMP.

Beyerdynamic T1 2nd generation - best premium

These are premium semi open headphones for real audiophiles who cannot imagine their life without quality music. You get this device with a hard carry case that is efficient in protecting the T1 2nd generation from damage. The mentioned model, as well as the previous one, has an extremely high impedance — 600 Ohm. However, there is another feature that is going to impress you. The frequency response of the headphones is 5 Hz - 50 kHz. The device has 102 dB of sensitivity.

The special thing about them is that the audio cable is shielded over its entire length. This provides powerful radiation and emission protection. Beyerdynamic T1 2nd generation has the most premium look and construction of the models on this list. It weighs 360 g and comes with a 1/4 adapter.

Sound

The considered headphones are much warmer and richer-sounding than a lot of other ones. The famous spike in the treble ranging up to 12 dB at 10 kHz makes listening very realistic. I was amazed by the T1s’ ability to render fine detail. Instruments are defined very well — these headphones capture the texture of instruments brilliantly.

AKG K240 STUDIO - best budget

Those who want to get a really nice looking pair of headphones for an affordable price should definitely pay attention to this model as it is budget-friendly and quality. The headphones have a golden-black pattern and come with a 3 m long audio cable. One of their benefits is the weight since the device has only 240 g/8.4 oz which is very light as for a pair of semi open headphones. The slim design has two suspended earpieces for flexibility.

Let's talk about the technical features of AKG K240 STUDIO. They have 55 Ohm of impedance and 104 dB of sensitivity. With regard to frequency response, it is 15 Hz - 25 kHz. The headphones are not equipped with a microphone which makes it impossible to take phone calls while listening to music.

Sound

AKG K240 STUDIO features very detailed and clean mids and highs. Imaging is great and airy. Speed and detail resolution on high notes are both absolutely fantastic. The soundstage feels as if it is floating around your head. The amazingly crisp highs, crystal clear mids, and pretty flat frequency response makes these headphones honest and lets them provide a natural sound.

What are semi open headphones

Lots of mixing and mastering engineers prefer to use exactly semi open headphones since they keep the sound from leaking out. Such a unit is more or less closed-back, but the ear cups there have small vents for air to pass through. Semi open vs closed back headphones have a number of advantages. A lot of mixing and mastering pros prefer less sound leakage than a typical open back device provides.

Some appliances with such an enclosure can be used even for traveling. However, most of them are mainly made for professional use such as mixing, studio monitoring, and mastering. Stereo listening with semi open headphones is great as well. Since normally the devices have an over ear design, that includes a self-adjusting headband with soft padding for comfort.

In addition, there is a quite high number of well-sounding and relatively cheap semi open headphones on the market. If you want to get the budget ones, some of them are shown above.

Semi open headphones pros and cons

Semi open vs closed back headphones

The thing is that semi open headphones allow for some sound leakage to offer a realistic experience. You are unlikely to ever get such a wide soundstage, as these devices provide, with a pair of closed back headphones. Moreover, half-open models are more breathable, so they would be a better choice for summer.

The frequency response of the headphones from my list offers you a very wide dynamic range and a high degree of sensitivity. Some affordable semi open models have nice features that inexpensive closed back devices usually do not have. For instance, mini XLR input.

Semi open vs open back headphones

Semi open device retains more of your music than open-back headphones and provides a better bass response. Compared to open back units, they can have a chamber to partially block out noise while letting some sound through via openings or vents. Semi open vs open back headphones often have a better outlook, so if you do care about the design, keep it in mind.