There are 3 categories of headphones- Open-back, Closed-back, and Semi-open. Open-back headphones are open from the back of the earcups and hence, leaks more music and also the outdoor sound easily comes into the headphone.

The second category is the Closed-back headphones with the back of the earcups being closed and this kind is able to block more outdoor environment sound as compared to the open-back headphones. Also, these headphones generate amazing bass at low frequencies.

The last kind is the Semi-open headphones as the name is already implying, something falls in between the open-back and the closed-back.

This is the only definition of semi-open headphones and to be more precise, semi-open headphones can partially block the outdoor environment sound but to some extent, the sound enters the headphones through vents.

In this post, we’ll be discussing all about open-back headphones and also listing the best open-back headphones under $150- $200.

Best Open Back Headphones under $150- $200

Before listing the top picks under $150- $200, let me tell you about the company that has launched the open-back headphone in this world. Well! It’s Sennheiser and the company has introduced its first HD414 on-ear open-back headphone in 1968.

Time to dive into the list of the 5 best open-back headphones under $150 – $200

1. Philips X2/27 Fidelio
2. Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro
3. Sennheiser HD598
4. Grado Prestige SR225e
5. AKG K612 Pro

1.Philips X2/27 Fidelio

Philips, a brand so popular in the world of electronics. X2/27 Fidelio is available on Amazon at a price value of $159.99 in black color. The brand ensures high durability and affordability as it’s considered one of the best headphones under $200.

If you still want something more good in Philips only then you can either prefer to go with X2 Fidelio that costs $20 extra over $200 but I really don’t think it would be that expensive if you’re more of a quality person. However, X2/27 is no less.

Philips is well known for assuring quality and this X2/27 Fidelio offers you amazing performance and is actually the most selling headphone on Amazon.

With Philips X2/27, you get a 50mm driver that produces a wonderful sound quality using its large frequency response, i.e. 5Hz- 40,000Hz. To be honest, this X2 series is well-liked by all.

After the launch of its X2/27 model, Philips has gained another level of marketing and the brand literally ruled over the entire market. No doubt, this is literally the best headphone to get picked to your bucket.

The headphone has no compatibility issue and works really well with your smartphone. Also, with its low impedance of 30 ohms, you really need not get an extra amplifier or DAC.

Its bass quality is superb and the sound representation is also no less. What’s most attractive about this headphone is its quality of not overpowering other low frequencies. Basically, it has a controlled bass and treble.

Philips X2/27 weighs 380 grams, though it’s quite heavy in weight but as per the specifications and features it worth it. To be honest, Philips should focus more on weight.

There’s one more thing I would like to mention, most of the people use this headphone especially for gaming purposes but it’s not recommended as the headphone is quite heavy in weight that can give muscle strain on your neck.

The only drawback with Philips X2/27 is its weight, the rest of everything is fine and literally, it’s the best headphone on the list. Once you’ll get hands-on with it, you gonna love it.

Key Terms-

• 50mm neodymium drivers
• Wired connectivity
• Dual-layer ear shells
• Cable management clip
• foam ear pads

2.Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro

Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro is well known in the market for providing next-level comfort. The headphone will give you feel as if you’re literally wearing a cloud on your ears.

DT990 Pro is so light in weight and is ideal for gaming as well as there is no muscle strain on your neck as compared to the above listed Philips X2/27 Fidelio.

Well! Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro is considered one of the best headphones in terms of comfort, it could also be said Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro has the most comfortable earpads. With this headphone, you won’t feel uncomfortable at all and really there’s no point of exertion at all.

The headphone is available on Amazon at $179. There are two kinds of impedance available in 80 ohms and 250 ohms. Also, there are two color choices you get with Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro- Black and Gray.

The over-ear Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro has a unique design and gives you a professional look. It’s so good in looks that I really wonder if there would be anyone who refuses to go with this headphone seeing it even only for once.

Coming on to its looks, the headphone is similar to Shure SRH1840 in terms of outer appearance but there’s a huge price difference between the two. Also, that Black color is actually the limited edition so to all the black lovers, just go and order it soon. That black limited edition is actually lit.

One more thing, Black edition sometimes is available even at a lower price than the normal one. With Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro, you’ll get some grilled look on the back of the earcups as well as the exposed wiring that makes it completely different from others.

If you go with the 250 ohms edition, you need to buy an external amp or a DAC. There is no compulsion to buy an external amp, you can either enjoy the music without it also. Honestly, you won’t even notice that much difference.

Key Terms-

• Over-ear
• Gives a professional look
• Extra soft foam ear pads
• Comfortable for long recording sessions as well as for casual listening
• Durable
• Portable
• Robust

3.Sennheiser HD598

Sennheiser HD598, another best open-back headphone on the list. Sennheiser has a separate fan following as this is the brand to introduce the open-back headphones in this entire world. So, definitely, it was supposed to be on the list of the best open-back headphones under $150- $200.

When Sennheiser launched the first open-back headphone to this world, there was literally no match as but obviously, as we all know technology keeps on evolving and that’s what exactly happened with this too.

That time also the brand has opened up keeping the first open-back headphone in budget and today also, they have maintained that thing.

Sennheiser HD598 is currently available in Black and Ivory, which is actually a unique combination in itself. With its light color, it brings a different kind of freshness to it.

It has wired connectivity and you’ll get a 3-meter cable that is detachable. Sennheiser HD598 is no doubt amazing in its design and looks already and then its stunning build quality is like the cherry on the cake.

In terms of comfortability too, Sennheiser HD598 is no less. It actually comes with velour pads and these pads are much more comfortable than ordinary leather pads.

The headphone’s impedance is 50 ohms along with its frequency response of 12Hz- 38500Hz, this frequency does not overpower other frequencies.

Just to mention one more important thing, Sennheiser HD598 uses its own EAR technology i.e. Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement that is responsible for transmitting the sound directly to your ears rather than around the earcups.

Not only this but also the Sennheiser HD598 almost has all the specifications as its upper model HD600 that requires an external amp.

However, the headphone is not that bulky, it weighs 294 grams but still, you’re all recommended to take breaks in between to prevent muscle strain to your neck.

Key Terms-

• Lightweight
• Extremely comfortable
• Comes with a detachable 3mcable
• 2-years warranty

4.Grado Prestige SR225e

Grado is one of the oldest brands almost around 64 years in the world of electronics. The brand is actually known as the holy grail of open-back headphones.

Grado is well popular for providing value for money to its consumers. The goodwill it has gained is next level. Customer satisfaction and priority is something they believe in.

There’s no compromise with quality when you’re going with Grado. Also, one more thing, all the headphones, be they in low budget or high budget are handmade.

Grado Prestige SR225e has still the same old-school design. Basically, they have maintained their signature design so far and are still on the go competing with many of the latest models.

There’s nothing fancy, it’s all about its wonderful vintage kind of style and design that makes it even more handsome and a must to go in the bucket.

As there’s a saying too, ‘Simple living High Thinking’. Not exactly the same but here it’s somewhere like that only, the headphone is quite simple in looks but has really a high-end brand value.

Its simple leather pads making it so light in weight and its adjustable antennas are so easy to use and control.

Along with the package, you’ll get a thick strong cable and there’s no need to be worried about any kind of damage to the cable. Grado Prestige SR225e is so light in weight and simple in design that you’ll actually need some time to get used to its simplicity.

The sound quality is next level and you can really feel each and every single beat clearly, be it a high pitch, low note, or mid details. The music beats and the stereo audio can be differentiated very well.

Grado Prestige SR225e is majorly loved by the ones who like to listen to rock, acoustic, some jazz, or cello music. Also, you won’t even feel any kind of cringe when it comes to the pop and bassy songs as compared to other ordinary headphones.

Last but not least, Grado Prestige SR225e works on a high-end frequency and offers you distortion-free music even at high volume.

Key Terms-

• Four options to go with- SR60e, SR80e, SR225e, and SR325e
• Available in Black color
• Weighs 280 grams

5.AKG K612 Pro

AKG K612 Pro, the last open-back headphone in the list of the best open-back headphones under $150- $200. This headphone has a design that can be as more powerful as a heart throbbing and as low as something to be hated.

This over-ear headphone is available on Amazon at a price value of $174.49 and also there are a total of 5 variations- K612 Pro, K701, K701, K712 Pro, and K812 Pro.

AKG, the brand is something that it can hit on anybody in just first look or it won’t hit at all, there’s no in-between. Also, all the headphones of this brand AKG are actually out of reach for average customers. Basically, AKG is majorly taken by the Reference studio headphones.

This is actually one of the best headphones falling in this range. The packaging of AKG K612 Pro is really so cute, you gonna love it for sure. You’ll have another level of experience of unboxing this headphone.

Actually, there are a total of 2 boxes i.e. box-in-box. The internal box has something written in words, ‘EXPECT’. And then there is a black box with a velcro opening that contains the K612 Pro inside it.

Also, there’s a disadvantage too, you won’t get any kind of accessories along with this K612 Pro and that’s really sad.

Coming on to its design, AKG K612 Pro is similar to Audio Technica ATH-AD700X in looks. Its velour padding is the most appealing factor and this is the same padding also used in the Sennheiser HD558.

There’s no detachable cable with AKG K612 Pro and this kind of headphones are more likely to damage. Overall, what matters is the sound quality and that’s absolutely fine in this budget.

Key Terms-

• Over-ear
• Patented varimotion
• Diaphragm technology
• Impedance- 120 ohm
• Frequency Response- 12Hz- 39kHz
• 101 dB SPL/V
• Weighs 238 grams

Summing Up

This is all about the best open-back headphones under $150- $200. All these 5 headphones have been tested by our Experts team and have gone through Quality Assurance and then finally come up in the Top 5 open-back headphones.

All the headphones are best in their own. Now it’s completely up to you what you wanna go with as per your budget and preferences. Hope you’ve had a happy reading!