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What are open-air headphones?

Matt Avatar By: Matt | Last updated September 17, 2020

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Open back headphones, or open-air headphones have completely different types of features compared to the closed back headphones. Open back headphones are designed to allow any outside noise to interact with the sound you’re listening to. This means that there is no noise cancellation feature, like with most closed back headphones, and the design will allow the sound to leak. This doesn’t mean that you won’t get the premium sound quality, from bass to high frequencies. It just means that you will have to use them in a closed, isolated environment or studio.

Open headphones, as the names imply, have the open back design meaning that there is no barrier between the drivers and the outside world. This feature brings more natural sound to the listeners. It is also called a wider soundstage effect and it represents a volume of sound that is created in a three-dimensional space, creating a high-quality experience. The sound will just open to the space creating an ambient sound. While listening, you will be the subject between two worlds interfering with one another. 

When you’re listening to music on open back headphones, not only that the outside noise will interfere with the sound you’re listening to, but everyone around you will also hear what you’re listening to at the moment. At the same time, you will hear yourself talking with your colleagues in the studio or your business partners. Many people enjoy using them on work while listening to music because the open sound will not completely isolate you from your work environment because you have to stay involved in current events.

Open back headphones are excellent for mixing music, audio and listening and consuming the music overall. Because of their design, open back headphones are usually lighter than closed back headphones. Long term use is also possible due to the lack of heat retention. The open back design of ear cups is letting the air pass and your head and ears breathe. These two features are great for professional use, for everyone who is using these headphones for several hours in the studio, but will also improve your gaming experience giving you the best comfort there is.

To conclude: if you’re in an indoor acoustic space, like the studio, open back headphones are the perfect choice for you. Your sound will not be mixed with the outside noise, but at the same time, you will have a wider, more ambient experience. If you want headphones that you will use in the outside world, street, bus or using a metro, open back headphones are not the best choice. The main advantages are open, free and much wider sound quality – you will be under the impression that you are surrounded by the full home stereo system. On the other hand, if you want to minimize external noise, open back headphones are best for a studio environment and not the noisy outdoors. These types of headphones will reduce the claustrophobic feeling in the closed space allowing you to be a part of a much wider experience while letting the outside world interfere. 

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