8 Best Open-Back Headphones Under 150 in 2022
If you have never tried open-back headphones, it might be a bit confusing when buying a pair of headphones. However, one should know for what purpose he/she is buying the product and should know the details of that specific product. Therefore, I’m going to introduce you to open-back headphones and going to explain how they work.
Open-back headphones have either vents or openings that allow sound to come in from the outside world and sound to go out in the outside world. Now, this can also be bad if you are surrounded by too much noise, or if you are on public transportation like a bus or plane, where other people can hear your music.
However, if you are in your home, sitting and it’s a quiet environment, one should probably go with the open-back headphones. And the reason for that is honestly going to come down to the sound quality. Hence the open-back headphones are generally regarded as just sounding better.
Also, there are a few reasons which are applied to certain headphones but not others. But I will give you the general reason because of the properties of open-back designs and generally they put all of their efforts into what the driver itself can reproduce. And when it comes down to echo and versus actual reproduction of a low note or a high note from the driver, you can tell the difference.
Also one does sound a lot cleaner and a lot more natural than other traditional headphones. So you can say that open-back headphones have more natural sound than closed back.
Now the other reason for added clarity and added depth of an open-back headphone is because you get these kinds of micro echoes from the sound leaving and hitting the surfaces around it and it gives a feeling of a little more real-to-life experience to the listeners.
Now I think after reading this all you might have an idea about what you are going to purchase. So let’s come to the main topic of this article which is the 8 best open-back headphones under 150. I’m listing down the best top 8 open-back headphones which are super affordable and efficient. Do consider them.
List of 8 Best open-back Headphones under 150:
1. GRADO SR80x:
Harmonic Color and Pro Features:
Firstly, we are having a look at the grado, one of the most iconic headphones brands in the world. Their prestige series has been extremely popular with five models at an affordable price. One of them is the SR80x. Grado headphones are known for their warmth and harmonic color. Rich Full-bodied vocals, excellent dynamics and an ultra-smooth top-end. These headphones give you realistic sound quality more than anything.
Removable Earpads:
Besides, this pair of headphones has high sensitivity and low impedance and are easy to drive. Interestingly, the Grado headphones have replaceable ear pads. So in case your ear pads get muddy and damaged, you can remove and replace them with another pair of earpads. That’s a pretty much cool idea! No, you don’t have to buy whole new headphones, you can just replace them with new ones.
Adjustable and Reliable Headphones:
This model uses an infinitely adjustable system for the ear cups that allow you to turn the cups so they lay flat and make them easy to transport. Moreover, those ear cups are made of great quality plastic which is reliable. On the first floor, it’s a special polymer design that has virtually zero resonance to keep your sound pure and clean.
Gold-plated Mini-plug and Adapter:
Further, All the models of the Grado are redesigned and they are developed with new drivers as well. Also, the GRADO SR80x features multi-conductor cables These headphones come with a gold-plated mini-plug and a full-size gold-plated adapter in the box that also works great with the amp.
8 Conductor Design Cable and Upgraded Drivers:
Now that we have done the features and designs, let’s move on to the improvements.
The SR80x gives the users several improvements as compared to the other series. For instance, it comes with a cable with an 8 conductor design with a very high-quality design.
Furthermore, the voice coil uses what Grado calls HPLC wiring. This is basically a high-quality long crystal, oxygen-free copper wire. Grado then takes these drivers and puts them through a distressing process. It gives you the sonic benefit of revealing small changes in volume easier. Also gives you a better sense of all those little details and makes music interesting and 3D.
Deep Bass and Detailed Sound Quality:
Moving up to the bass, the SR80x will provide a bit more extension at the top and bottom than you get with the other series. As well as an increased sense of dynamic contrast. The bass is deep yet suitable nuances are easier to hear and give you a real live feeling like you are in a room or studio.
Bottom Line:
The Grado is one of the most iconic headphones brands in the world. The SR80x is one of the improved series of the Grado which comes in a classical design made of superb quality with a light headband and removable earpads. The SR80x will provide a bit more extension at the top and bottom than you get with the other series. As well as an increased sense of dynamic contrast.
The bass is deep yet suitable nuances are easier to hear. Moreover, It gives you the sonic benefit of revealing small changes in volume easier. Also gives you a better sense of all those little details and makes music interesting and 3D.
2. Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR:
Leather Coated and Comfortable Headphones:
These are high-res certified open-back headphones with a 50 millimeter, 32 ohms and 100 DB sensitivity dynamic driver which you will get in a friendly budget under $150 in the U.S. it’s fair to say that headphones are pretty big that can fit into anyone’s head easily and are reasonably comfortable.
Despite this, the suspension headband is very soft and comfortable. The main part of the headband is leather coated rail system around the outside it is stamped with the Philips Fidelio logo in the middle.
Lateral Rotation:
Next, the ear cups are quite large and made of plastic and the back is a metal grille which is actually nice and stiff so it shouldn’t dent particularly easily. The ring on the ear cup is also made of metal and they have a lateral rotation from the yoke.
However, the headband is so flexible, that it does have plenty of movement. Besides, the earpads are also nice big and deep with a plush foam that seems like memory foam. Interestingly, the earpads themselves are removable.
2 in One Cable with Adapter:
Now, the headband is supplied with just one cable which is a 3-meter long braided affair cable. The cable is stiff which really holds the kinks. The end of the cable has two 3.5 cables that connect up to the left-hand earcup on the single side of the headphones and it does stay nice and tight.
At the other end of the cable, you will have a push on a quarter-inch adapter supplied. Moreover, the cable also has a cable management clip that is clipped onto the cable at the end.
Nice Soundstage:
Now let’s get to know about the sound quality. You might hear some negative comments about the sound quality but it’s not true. The sound stage is pretty good and the first thing you will notice is how open they sound which is really good.
On the other hand, imaging is also great. Most people buy these headphones because they have a 3.5 mil connector. You could connect something like a v-Moda boom pro to these and use them as a gaming headset.
Bright and Deep Bass Performance:
Now onto bass, they have a really good bass performance for an open-back headphone. In Fact, in many ways, the bass is the party piece of this headphone. It’s big, full and has plenty of authority. Besides. Mids are also interesting. Where the mids really get interesting is a large shouty bump at around 1.6 kilohertz.
Whilst the vocals are quite forwards on this headphone. In fact, these headphones from Philips have a very bright tilt and muddy sound that you will enjoy for sure. The reasonably articulate bass makes the songs enjoyable for the listeners.
Bottom Line:
This pair of headphones is a good choice for the listeners. You will have all the pro features and specs at such an affordable price point. they have a really good bass performance for an open-back headphone.
In Fact, in many ways, the bass is the party piece of this headphone. Overall the look of the headset is pretty classical with two flexible headbands and large ear cups with lateral rotation which makes them comfortable and easy to wear.
3. Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X:
Approachable Set of Headphones:
These audio Technica ATH-AD700X are open-back over-ear headphones with 53-millimeter drivers. I would also mention these are a really approachable set of headphones because they don’t need a high-end amp and DAC to drive them.
You can run them off your phone and still get a reasonable listening experience. Also, if you want to use your PC’s integrated audio or maybe you have something like the sound blaster g6, that’s a really easy way to get quite a lot of the headphones.
But that’s not to say that a high-end amp and DAC won’t be able to make the experience a bit better, it certainly will. But they are very approachable, with fairly low impedance which means you don’t need a powerful amp to drive them. So you can use anything you want.
Built Cable With Quarter-inch Adapter:
Another thing that really makes them easy to use is actually the cable. Now, you can use a 3.5-millimeter jack as standard and then include a quarter-inch adapter in the box. This means, if you want to use them with a fancy DAC which uses a quarter-inch jack then you can. And if you wanna use them with a standard phone or pc, that’s already built into the cable.
Fantastic Listening Experience:
For the listening experience, these are fantastic. As someone who comes from fairly standard sets of headphones, these just are worlds apart. Listening to songs in this will blow your mind with how much extra clarity, and how much extra detail it has that you won’t expect.
The fact that it’s so clear, so crisp and so true to life, makes it a very nice listening experience.
The other thing is that because these are open-back, they have an incredibly wide soundstage. That means you get the impression that the artists are playing the song around you rather than having it piped into your ears.
Light Headband:
The headband has basically two pads that rest incredibly lightly on your head and won’t be painful. This means they are also comfortable. The clamping pressure is super light as well.
Besides, you will get soft cushions for your ears and when you will wear them, you will actually feel nothing on your ears or head.
Which I think is pretty cool. For me, these are an excellent choice for someone who isn’t overly interested in high-end audio but should get a taste of legitimately good-quality audio.
Best For Streaming and Gaming:
If you are wondering about playing video games, it’s just nice. Actually, you can use these for streaming and can hear perfectly what’s going around you. Moreover. You will also be able to hear yourself speaking. Interestingly, It has an effect that will return your voice back to you that will make you aware of your tones.
Bottom Line:
For me, these are an excellent choice for someone who isn’t overly interested in high-end audio but should get a taste of legitimately good-quality audio. These are a really approachable set of headphones because they don’t need a high-end amp and DAC to drive them.
Besides, Listening to songs in these headphones will blow your mind with how much extra clarity, how much extra detail it has that you won’t expect at this price point.
4. Sony MDR7506:
100 Hertz to 2 Kilohertz Frequency:
These headphones are immensely popular amongst live sound guys and sometimes even find them in some studios. Now, let’s know why MDR7506 sounds like it does.
First of all, it’s safe to say that this Sony headphone isn’t known for its bass. The low-end starts to roll off at 50 hertz. Which does not mean that you will be missing much of the music.
However, for serious studio use, it is insufficient. Besides, 100 hertz to 2 kilohertz shows good linearity with minimum channel differences.
Industry Standard Pair of Headphones:
All in all these headphones would be rather great headphones if it was not for the over-hyped highs. The MDR7506 not only becomes precise but also euphonic. You can actually enjoy listening to some tracks on it.
These headphones are simply industry-standard pairs of headphones. They are relatively flat but that doesn’t mean they sound bad. On the contrary, they sound pretty amazing. The bass is there but not overpowering and not boosted or emphasized.
Compact and Comfortable:
They are meant to be reference headphones, not audiophile headphones. Besides, Sony is totally over-the-ear headphones means they are comfortable and do not sit on your ears which can get very uncomfortable.
To me, the best feature after the sound quality is how compact they are. You can easily fold them up, put them in your bag or carry them. Also, they come with a nice little nylon bag which is a lot better than the leather bag.
Movable Earcups and Foldable:
Most modern audiophile headphones don’t fold up as these do. Most audiophile headphones only let you turn up the ear cups so they can fit into a hard case. But the MDR7506 does all the job pretty well. Moreover, the headphones come with an attached cable which is of great quality. And this coiled cable is actually helpful when you are further away from the headphone jack.
Bottom Line:
In my opinion, if you are a professional you should at least get to know about these headphones. They are not expensive at all. Comes at an affordable price with a nice build and sound quality. Also, they are very compact and small. If you are not a professional, you can also use it for general-purpose listening.
5. Philips SHP9500:
Extremely Efficient and Reliable:
Starting with power requirements. Like these headphones are predecessors they are extremely efficient. They come in at an impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity level of 101 DB per milliwatt.
Thus, you can easily power them with virtually everything. Whether it is your motherboard’s onboard audio or a discrete headphone amplifier. Indeed they sound great and they don’t really exhibit any of the issues. So I think these are a great option if you don’t currently own a headphone amplifier.
Durable and Detachable Cable:
With packaging, you will get the SHP9600 with some paperwork as well as a fairly long single-sided 3.5-millimeter cable with a quarter-inch adapter. The cable is rubber-coated, nice and durable which is detachable as well. And you can replace it very easily. These headphones have a new slicker all-black design that features very thin bronze rings around the perimeter of the grill.
Nice Fitting and Rotation:
On the other hand, there is plenty of adjustment with this headset. You get the precise fitting each time and it holds those fittings firmly as well. Also, they have plenty of swivels and go back and forth with the adjusting rotation. As with any head shape, they are going to fit perfectly fine.
Besides, the headphones are super lightweight and you will have the real floating design headband. Further, the headband is made of cloth so it does not stretch.
Adjustable and Good Built Quality:
As far the earpads are pretty big that cover your ears pretty good. The fabric used in ear pads is a softer, silky material which is a very nice combo. So you can use them for long sessions for gaming as well. Let me also mention the built quality. The headphones are completely made of good plastic and with little metal grates on the earcups. Inside the headband adjustment, it’s plastic so that it really complements that lightweight and compact.
They Work Perfectly Fine with any Device:
Now let’s get into the most interesting topic of this headset which is the audio quality. These headphones are 32 ohms. So you can use them on pretty much any device. Whether they’d me console, pc, mobile anything.
Besides, they have a frequency range of 12 to 35 thousand to 12 in your low-end, and 35,000 being your high-end. You can use them for movies, listening to songs, recording, gaming and the sound will blow your mind for sure.
And across every single device, they work fantastic you will feel your ears really touching the drivers so you get BAM drivers in your ears. You will have no leakage and will get a nice open wide sound.
Now You Can Play Games and Stream:
Now you might be wondering if there is no mic so why should I get it for gaming, but don’t worry you can get a detachable mic which you can plugin on your headphone jack and enjoy gaming and streaming for long sessions without being uncomfortable.
Bottom Line:
These headphones are 32 ohms. So you can use them on pretty much any device. Whether they’d me console, pc, mobile anything. You will have no leakage and will get a nice open and wide soundstage.
Indeed they sound great, so they don’t really exhibit any of the issues. So I think these are a great option if you don’t currently own a headphone amplifier.
6. Samson SR860:
Friendly Budget Studio Headphones:
For the last year-and-a-half, the awesome Samson headphones have been users’ go-to budget recommendation for headphones. To this day, they are the only Bluetooth headphones that you can actually use without needing to go back to a wire pair-end and need quality.
Besides, they are a comfortable pair of over-ear semi-open back headphones. Even to this day when it comes to budget recommendations, I would suggest these pairs of headphones as they are good for someone who is looking for friendly budget reference headphones with professional performance.
Wider and Transparent Soundstage:
The Samson SR860 features a semi-open back design. meaning, that you can get a much wider, more transparent soundstage. While mixing audio and more ambient listening, these headphones are best suited for professional use and for quiet environments such as studios. further, they do have an impedance of 32 OHMs so you can power them with a smartphone and pc.
However, they will sound much better even with a small amount of power. Despite them only being semi-open back, they still will leak as much noise as open-back headphones and give you an environment like all the artists are playing their music around you. So they are more the stay-at-home pair of headphones.
Impressive Frequency:
The SR860 features an impressive frequency with the range of 10 hertz to 30 kilohertz which is comparable to headphones in the 200-plus dollar range. Moreover, they also feature the ever true 50-millimeter neodymium magnet drivers which you will find to be fairly standard and almost low to mid-range open headphones as well as some closed ones as well.
Velour and Comfortable Earcups:
The fact that audio is often the most important part of any headphone, so are the ear cups. Therefore, if the ear cups are soft and comfortable, you will obviously love the music and they will make you enjoy your audio much more.
So the nice touch provided on this pair of headphones is the velour ear cups. Now budget headphone companies lend to cheaper bit on ear cups.
However, Samson SR860 ear cups are heaven. For long studio sessions, these ear pads have a serious edge in terms of comfort as well as making sure your ears don’t sweat. Hence, they are generally comfortable for long listening sessions and cause no problems with piercings.
High-Quality and Clear Audio:
When editing with these headphones as long as the environment is quiet, then these are perfect. You could easily balance your audio and only needed the audio level meter to check your levels after you have done. This is the way editing should be.
Thus, you can also test these headphones with other headphones which are invented for editing, and you will realize that these provide high-quality sound to the listeners which make the users impress.
Besides, the lows are also good enough to meet most requirements. However, these headphones are not bass head headphones but they do stand out with the treble and the highs, the mids they are all very smooth and clear.
Crystal Vocals and Highs:
These are some of the best headphones under $100. The fact that the vocals are crystal clear. It’s a similar story to the highs. And I’m not exaggerating for sure. You can hear all the details of things such as high hats and even hearing reverb that you will not hear in many other headphone sets.
Further, this headset is also great for mixing music as you can clearly hear all of the instruments, so you can easily determine which highs to use and how much reverb to use. Thanks to the excellent highs that these headphones provide.
Bottom Line:
These are some of the best headphones under $100. The fact that the vocals are crystal clear. It’s a similar story to the highs. Thanks to the excellent highs that these headphones provide.
However, these headphones are not bass head headphones but they do stand out with the treble and the highs, the mids they are all very smooth and clear. Samson SR860 ear cups are heaven. For long studio sessions, these ear pads have a serious edge in terms of comfort as well as making sure your ears don’t sweat.
7. Riwbox XBT-80:
Compact and Durable Headphones:
Although, These headphones are cheap but surprising, for real. Inside the box you will get your auxiliary cable braided with in-line controls, the thing you get your USB charging cable with the warranty in your user manual but most importantly, you get the Bluetooth headphones.
These headphones come up in many different and cool colors. And also known for fold headphones. As they are compact and easy to fold and place anywhere in your drawer etc.
Comfortable and Breathable Padding:
Now let’s come to the quality and features. These are made from high-quality plastic and feel durable. The sides of the headphones are metal-built. Moreover, the ear cushions are memory proteins that are breathable and keep your ears comfortable and free from pain.
Also, the headphones feature side adjustment which means they are extendable and can be perfect and fit all head sizes.
Aux Cable:
As I said above these are Bluetooth headphones but do also come with an aux cable of 3.5 millimeters and an inline microphone button on them. Now case If your headphones are not charged up, you can use the aux for listening as well.
Organized Buttons:
Besides, the left side of the headphones is organized with buttons for control and power. You will get the volume up and down button, pause button, and your Bluetooth mode button and if you are having micro SD then you can also insert it as well.
50-Millimeter Drivers:
The good news is these headphones are so balanced and nice. You will get a good sound quality that you might not expect from the $30 pair of headphones. But they will impress you indeed. As they have good mids, good highs and nice and deep bass with 50-millimeter drivers in them.
Super Lightweight and Best for all Devices:
you can use this headset for your everyday use for listening to songs, podcasts and movies on your cell phones, tv, laptop, computer and other devices. I must say the charging time is 2 to 3 hours standby time is 180 and the playtime is about 13 hours. Moreover, they are super lightweight and seem to be the quality headphones out there in this price range.
Bottom Line:
Although, These headphones are cheap but surprising, for real. Inside the box, you will get your auxiliary cable braided with in-line controls, another thing you get is your USB charging cable with the warranty in your user manual. On the other hand, the charging time is 2 to 3 hours standby time is 180 and the playtime is about 13 hours.
Moreover, they are super lightweight and seem to be the quality headphones out there in this price range. The good news is these headphones are so balanced and nice. You will get a good sound quality that you might not expect from the 30$ pair of headphones.
8. Knox Gear TX-200:
Crystal Clear Audio:
We are introducing you to the studio reference headphones from Knox gear. The studio monitor headphones have the expectation that they will not change the sounds and will give natural sounds. That is what the people are looking for so that they can apply the changes they want in the sound. And these headphones are basically all you expect. As they give you crystal clear and high-fidelity audio.
Adjustable and Portable Headphones:
These incredible headphones are designed for all head sizes and are super comfortable and lightweight. So that you can take them and place them anywhere. Furthermore, they have an amazing adjustment. This means the sides of the headphones can extend as well. Although, you will get these headphones for under 30$ but will be surprised by their pro features and looks.
Auxiliary Cable and Long Cord:
With packaging, you will get the fairly long single-sided 3.5-millimeter cable with a ¼-inch adapter. The cable is rubber-coated, nice and durable which is detachable as well. And you can replace it very easily. These headphones have a new slicker all-black design that features a 10-foot-long cord for versatility.
Rich and Deep Sound Quality:
Now onto bass, they have a really good bass performance for an open-back headphone. Moreover, The bass is deep yet suitable nuances are easier to hear and give you a real live feeling like you are in a room or studio. Whilst the vocals are quite forwards on these headphones.
In fact, these headphones from Knox gear have a very bright tilt and deep rich sound that you will enjoy for sure. The reasonably articulate bass makes the songs enjoyable for the listeners.
Wide and Open Soundstage:
If you’re into music production and recording, these headphones are probably a must-have. As they are perfect for your ears in every way and best for gaming. The wide and open 50 mm drivers create an excellent soundstage and will let you enjoy the audio and let you bring the changes in audio as you like.
Therefore, whatever passion you have for recording, going, audio production, these industry reference headphones will be a good choice for someone who doesn’t own any headphones.
Breathable Earcups:
The large and breathable ear cups are perfect for long sessions. They won’t cause any pain to your ears and sweat won’t damage the earpads. As they are super comfortable and soft made of leather.
Bottom Line:
We are introducing you to the studio reference headphones from Knox gear. These headphones are basically all you expect. As they provide you a crystal clear and high fidelity audio.
These incredible headphones are designed for all head sizes and are super comfortable and lightweight with the perfect adjustment. If you’re into music production and recording, these headphones are probably a must-have.
Buyer’s Guide:
There are thousands of different headphones on the market and it can be really tough and overwhelming to find the perfect pair of headphones for you. So, therefore, we are providing the definitive guide for buying your ideal pair look in a big world of headphones, you go down to the different stores, try on a hundred pairs of headphones and buy what’s perfect for you.
But realistically you are probably going to be buying your headphones on a site like Amazon. So make sure to take a look at expert reviews from sources that do a lot of listening.
Comfortability:
One of the things I think you should look for is comfort. So make sure that in the reviews different people have the same opinion about comfort. However, it’s not a bad idea to check on other sites and make sure they also say the headphones you are looking at are comfortable.
Design:
In terms of design, you have three main options when it comes to headphones. There are the largest headphones that are over the ears. They encapsulate your ear. Typically, they have a better bass response and they are a little bit better and more comfortable if you are listening to music all day.
Microphone and Cable:
If you are someone who talks on the phone a lot or someone who likes using the mic for recording and editing voice-overs, then consider buying a pair of headphones with an inline mic if you are more active than most, we highly recommend you get a pair of headphones with an IP X rating. That means it’s waterproof.
Sound Quality:
When it comes to sound quality, think about the types of music you actually listen to and do your house chores. Any quality review will give you a clear insight into a headphone sound signature. Some are neutral, many boost the bass and others have clear mids at the expense of the low ends. So the sound quality is an important thing to look for when buying an open-back pair of headphones. You also need to know your requirements and bear in mind that the open-back headphones will allow sound from outside! That means you can listen to what people are talking about!
Conclusion:
We reviewed some of the Best Open-Back Headphones Under 150 to get you most of your money. All of our picks are top-rated! But below are some quick reviews of the products that amazed us while reviewing.
Firstly we have GRADO SR80x The headphone comes from the most remarkable music brand. Their prestige series has been extremely popular with five models at an affordable price. One of them is the SR125e. Interestingly, the Grado headphones have replaceable ear pads. Moreover, those ear cups are made of great quality plastic which is reliable. On the first floor, it’s a special polymer design that has virtually zero resonance to keep your sound pure and clean. So, if you are looking for the best of the best You should buy these headphones at first glance!
Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X got our eye with its fantastic sound boom. As someone who comes from fairly standard sets of headphones, these just are worlds apart. Listening to songs in this will blow your mind with how much extra clarity, and how much extra detail it has that you won’t expect. For me, these are an excellent choice for someone who isn’t overly interested in high-end audio but should get a taste of legitimately good quality audio. These are a really approachable set of headphones because they don’t need a high-end amp and DAC to drive them.
Here comes Knox Gear TX-200 Open-Back Studio, for my budget-oriented ones. The studio monitor headphones expect that they will not change the sounds and give natural sounds. These incredible headphones are designed for all head sizes and are super comfortable and lightweight. With packaging, you will get the fairly long single-sided 3.5-millimeter cable with a ¼-inch adapter. The cable is rubber-coated, nice and durable which is detachable as well. And you can replace it very easily.
We hope You loved our review! Leave a comment if you have any queries.
