Introducing Some Recommended Headphones by Price Range! [Open-Back Edition]

Hello!
I’m Kaoru, a composer!

This time, I’ll be talking about open-back headphones.
Personally, I use them all the time for music production and transcribing by ear, and I’ve used everything from beginner models to high-end, professional-quality ones.
At one point, I even fell into the “headphone rabbit hole” and spent about six hours auditioning products at a well-known specialty headphone/earphone store. (I did end up buying something afterward, of course! haha)

Based on that experience, I’d like to introduce some recommended products, along with my personal opinions.

But before that, first let me explain what open-back headphones are.
 

“What are open-back headphones?”

Just as the name suggests.
They are headphones where the outer part of the housing—the section that produces sound—is open.

Features

• They excel in sound openness, allowing you to enjoy a wide, natural sound.
• Compared to closed-back headphones, many are lightweight.
• They cause less fatigue, making them suitable for long listening sessions.

Points to note

• Because they are open, sound leaks out. If you use them on trains or in public places, the open sound may bother others, so you need to be careful. In fact, it’s best to assume they can’t be used outside!
• Compared to closed-back headphones, there are fewer product options.
• Compared to closed-back headphones, many tend to be more expensive.
• They have a delicate build, so careful handling is required.

Now, let’s move on to recommendations by price range!
 

[Up to 10,000 yen]

audio-technica / ATH-AD500X Headphones

Based on my experience, I think this is the strongest option in this price range.
In fact, I use it quite a lot for work.

Although it’s priced as an entry-level model, the quality is hard to believe for a beginner device.

The 3D wing support fits perfectly on the head and provides an outstanding level of comfort. The ear pads that gently wrap around your ears are so comfortable that you’ll get hooked.

As for the sound, it delivers a pleasant listening experience with well-balanced audio from lows to highs.

The brushed-fabric ear pads are highly durable and can be used for many years.
 

[Up to 20,000 yen]

beyerdynamic / DT990PRO Open-back Monitor Headphones

These headphones are made by the audio equipment manufacturer beyerdynamic, who are based in Germany and operating worldwide.
Their sturdy, highly durable build and solid design are sure to catch your eye.

They are trusted not only by composers and engineers but also by performers.
They reproduce sound accurately in every aspect, including resolution, imaging, and positioning.

The ear pads that cover the ears use velour material, providing a pleasant tactile feel.
They are a bestselling model with enduring popularity in the highly competitive headphone market.
 

[Up to 40,000 yen]

SENNHEISER / HD600 Open-back Headphones

These headphones are from SENNHEISER, a brand with an unwavering reputation that offers a wide range of headphones and earphones.
I have been using this model as my main headphones for about two years.

They fully envelop the ears, making them less tiring and delivering a natural sound.
In terms of sound, they offer excellent balance, making them an all-rounder suitable for any genre.

The cable is detachable, so even if it breaks, it can be replaced immediately.

*The clamping force is slightly strong, so some people may not like it. (I personally find them comfortable to use.)
 

[Up to 80,000 yen]

ALESSANDRO / Music Series PRO

This is the top model of the ALESSANDRO MUSIC series, packed with high technical skill and extensive expertise.

First of all, the unique design that stands out at a glance is so cool.
The wood used on the sides is rare mahogany, producing rich resonance and a warm sound characteristic of wood.

By incorporating an air chamber structure inside the housing, it creates a listening experience as if you were hearing sound through speakers.

The cable is about 1.8 meters long—not too long, not too short.
It’s ideal for listening at home or using in a studio.
 

[Up to 200,000 yen]

FOCAL / CLEAR MG PRO

These are high-end headphones often used in commercial studios.
The dark red and black color scheme gives them a very luxurious design.

Equipped with newly developed magnesium drivers, they enable accurate monitoring from low to high frequencies and perform well across a wide range of uses.
Compared to previous models, they feature significant improvements in weight reduction, rigidity, and vibration absorption.

The ergonomically designed comfort is so good you might forget you’re even wearing them.
They also come with a durable dedicated hard case, allowing for safe and secure transport.
These are truly the ultimate headphones for professionals.

That concludes my recommendations for open-back headphones.
It seems that quite a few people have only ever used closed-back models.

You can always come back to this article as a reference and make your debut with open-back headphones!

*Prices are as of October 2021

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