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If you're here for purchasing advice, here are some data and community supported recommendations.

Open-back headphones typically perform better than closed back alternatives, but don't block out environmental noise. They usually struggle to produce enough deep bass. There are many well tuned and low-cost open-back headphones knocking about, but be aware that that value usually comes from cutting corners in build quality and comfort.

For the best headphone experience possible, use a software equalisier like Peace APO or hardware equalisation in any format to correct frequency response deficiencies in most comfortable, best built headphones you can afford.
Headphone
PPR
Price
Format
Cup
Driver
Notes
Sennheiser HD800S with Parametric Equalisation
100
1750
CA
Open
Dynamic
Essentially the most premium headphone platform in the world, equalise a pair of HD800, HD800S, or HD8XX for outstanding comfort, build quality, and sonic performance. EQ Settings
Focal Elex with Parametric Equalisation
99
1050
CA
Open
Dynamic
Focal also produce extremely comfortable and high quality headphones that make prime candidates for equalisation. EQ Settings
Hifiman Edition XS
87
500
CA
Open
Planar
Although more expensive than the Sundara for an inferior tuning, the Hifiman Edition XS are likely to feel like a much superior solution for many users due to their much larger front-volume which aren't prone to the squish factor of the Sundara's medium/small circular front volume
Hifiman Sundara (2020)
95
350
CA
Open
Planar
Very well regarded for a recent entry, the 2020 revised Hifiman Sundara have examplary tuning and solid build quality. Non-swivelling cups and medium-small front-volume may cause discomfort for some user, but they have a nice suspension strap and solid build quality.
Sennheiser HD600
91
300
CA
Open
Dynamic
HD600s are legendary headphones with excellent tuning. A medium oval front-volume and time tested design these have been popular since 1997.
Sennheiser HD560S
91
160
CA
Open
Dynamic
By making compromises in the build quality of the HD600 line of headphones the HD560S offer unparalleled price to performance while remaining sturdy and wearable enough to rely on. These are a go-to budget recommendation.
Hifiman HE400se
89
150
CA
Open
Planar
For a well-padded circular cup headphone on a budget the HE400se are an excellent option, build quality isn't fantastic so you will need to be careful with them!
Beyerdynamic DT880
86
140
CA
Open
Dynamic
If you prefer a larger cup and front volume for comfort Beyerdynamic have a range of excellent headphones in that format. Of these the DT880 have the most universally agreeable tuning, but also consider the Tygr 300R and DT990.
AKG K702
86
140
CA
Open
Dynamic
If you prefer a larger cup, front volume, and a suspension strap for ergonomics AKG have several excellent offerings. Among these the K702, K701 and K612 stand out.
Koss KSC75 with Yaxi Earpads
79
55
SA
Open
Dynamic
If you want non-occluding headphones that are decently well tuned on the cheap, pray to the hidden god and augment KSC75 with Yaxi Pads.

All Headphone Data (506 Entries)

PPR
Price