In recent years, open-back headphones have gradually gained attention in people's pursuit of audio experience and have become the choice of more and more people. However, as the discussion about open-back headphones continues to increase online, the related controversies and opinions are endless. Many people may wonder whether open-back headphones improve sound quality or affect hearingAre open-back headphones really capable of achieving clear sound?
As an experienced practitioner in the audio industry, I have studied a lot of materials and evaluated a number of open-back headphones with a professional eye. Today, I will explain to you based on my own experience why open-back headphones are more recommended, what are the advantages and disadvantages of open-back headphones over in-ear headphones, and some suggestions and my evaluation results when choosing open-back headphones.
If you are planning to try open-back headphones, I hope you can make a more informed choice after reading this article.
1. Why is it more recommended to use open-back headphones?
Open-back headphones are recommended for several reasons: First, open-back headphones provide a more natural soundstage, making them sound as if they are surrounded by their surroundings and giving them a more realistic feel.
Secondly, due to the open-ear wearing style, open-ear headphones have an advantage in comfort, even if they are worn for a long time, they are not easy to feel stuffy or uncomfortable, and the protection of hearing is also a consideration, because open-ear headphones have less pressure on hearing at the same volume.
Finally, wearing open-back headphones outdoors allows us to perceive the sounds of our surroundings while appreciating**, improving safety when using.
2. Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of open-back headphones and in-ear headphones
The biggest feature of open-back headphones is that they give up part of the sound isolation effect, which means that the outside sound is easier to penetrate into the ear canal, so that the wearer can hear the surrounding environment more clearly, this design not only allows the wearer to maintain the perception of the surrounding environment while using the headphones, improves safety, but also reduces the depression and hearing fatigue caused by long-term wearing, and is more in line with a healthy wearing style.
Pros:
Reduces Listening Pressure:
Because open-back headphones do not need to block the earbuds like traditional Bluetooth headphones, they do not put pressure on the cochlea and ear canal, reducing the hearing fatigue caused by long-term use.
Comfort:
Because it is worn with an earhook, there is no need to block the ear, so it does not cause pain in the ear canal, and it is superior to in-ear headphones in terms of comfort and stability.
Security:
Open-back headphones completely free up both ears, allowing users to perceive the external environment while listening**, so they are safer and more reliable when used in outdoor sports.
Cons:
Limited soundproofing:
Due to the design characteristics of open-back headphones, their sound isolation effect is poor, and they cannot effectively isolate external noise, so they are not suitable for use in noisy environments.
Privacy is limited:
Open-back headphones feature an open-ear design, making it difficult to achieve a fully immersive** experience, so privacy may be poor.
3. How to choose open-back headphones?
How to choose the headphone market that is becoming more and more charming?I'm going to talk to you today, the right one is the best.
1. Look at the demand first
It's important to understand your needs before buying open-back headphones, as open-back headphones differ from closed-back headphones in terms of audio experience and use cases.
Due to their design characteristics, open-back headphones are less able to isolate from outside noise, so they may be subject to external interference when used in noisy environments. So if youUse headphones frequently in noisy environments, such as commuting, traveling, etc., or need headphones with good sound isolation to concentrate on listening, then it is possibleIt is more suitable to choose airtight headphones.
But if you areFor those who have ear pain when wearing in-ear headphones, the open-back headphones are perfect for youBecause it is more breathable, it will not cause a stuffy feeling when worn for a long time, and it is suitable for users who need to listen**, play games or watch movies for a long time.
In different scenarios, the requirements will be different. Only by fully understanding the needs of individuals can we better choose products that meet our needs.
2. Sound quality
The audio driver unit is a key factor in determining the sound quality of the headphones. Common types of audio drivers include dynamic drivers, moving irons, and hybrid drivers, which are widely used in wireless Bluetooth headsets. The dynamic audio driver unit is currently the most common type of Bluetooth headset, which can present a natural and full sound quality, providing users with a very comfortable listening experience, this design performs well in heavy bass, and is suitable for handling various types and daily use.
At the same time, the moving iron and ring iron sound generating units also have their own unique characteristics. The moving iron driver is good at processing treble details, which can provide clearer and more accurate sound performance, especially for those who pay attention to the best details and sound separation, while the ring iron sound driver combines the advantages of the moving iron and the moving coil to present a more comprehensive and balanced audio experience.
However, sound quality is a subjective feeling, and it is difficult to have a definite standard. If possible, it is recommended to go to the physical store to experience it for yourself, as long as the sound quality sounds comfortable and natural, without harshness or distortion, then it should be a good choice!
3. Wear
The wearing experience of headphones is affected by a number of factors. First of all, the exterior design and gravity distribution can affect the stability and ensure that it is not easy to fall during movement. Secondly, comfort depends on weight distribution, soft comfort materials and ergonomic design that reduces stress on the ears and head from prolonged wear. Finally, headphones that are too heavy or poorly designed can add to the burden on the ears, causing discomfort and even pain. Therefore, when we choose an open-back earphone that is comfortable to wear, we can comprehensively consider the appearance design, gravity distribution, headphone material and ergonomic design, so as to avoid choosing a headphone that is uncomfortable to wear.
You can also review other users' reviews and opinions online, and learn from their real experiences and feedback to get a more complete understanding of the pros and cons of the product, so as to make informed purchase decisions.
4. Delay
Bluetooth headsets are delayed because the audio signal needs to go through processes such as encoding, transmission, and decoding. Mainstream *** has been optimized for latency for Bluetooth devices, and the main impact of latency on users is mainly game users. To better meet the needs of gaming users, headset manufacturers often add a game mode to their products to reduce the latency of the headset by compressing the audio.
If it is mainly used for gaming purposes, it is recommended to choose a Bluetooth headset with a game mode.
PS: Using a higher version of Bluetooth can provide faster speeds, longer coverage, and greater stability.
5. Battery life
Battery life is crucial for people who use headphones for long periods of time. The long battery life can effectively avoid the inconvenience caused by frequent charging, and for those who like outdoor sports, long-distance travel, or need to use the earbuds for a long time, the longer battery life can not worry about the headphones suddenly running out of power at critical moments.
In any case, the longer the battery life, the better, and this convenience and reliability can greatly improve the user's experience, without being limited by the state of charge.
6. Headset protection
In fact, the waterproof performance of headphones is also very important, but many people often overlook this. In our daily lives, we are often exposed to water, such as sweat, rain, and other daily waterproof situations. Therefore, it is particularly important to have headphones with good waterproof performance, otherwise they are easy to damage. In addition, the waterproof performance of the headphones can also extend their lifespan to a certain extent.
Generally speaking,IPX5 waterproof is already enough for everyday use, while the highest IPX8 waterproof can even be used while swimming.
Fourth, the mainstream open-back headphone brand evaluation on the market
Open-back headphones are recommended
West Saint Olite open-back headphones
Ref: 199RMB
Bluetooth version: v53
Vocal unit: 162mm dynamic high-performance sound driver
Battery life: 54h
Call Noise Cancellation: Dual-microphone ENC call reduction
Recommended Index:
Xisheng is an open-back headphone brand focusing on high-end configuration parity**, with many years of technical accumulation and industry experience. As an established manufacturer, it mainly focused on providing upstream safety performance technology solutions in the early days, which laid a solid technical foundation for it.
Starting from the selection of materials, Xisheng visited hundreds of first-class merchants and selected imported materials to ensure that the best quality raw materials are used in the manufacturing process. The body of the earphone is made of liquid silicone, which is very comfortable to the touch, and at the same time adopts an ergonomic design that fits the human ear, which is designed for Asian ear models, and the **3-zone stable support structure ensures the stable contact between the earphones and the ears, realizes gravity balance, and is produced in full accordance with military-grade standards, which absolutely meets the demanding requirements for comfort.
The Olite headphones are designed to meet the advanced needs of users for high-quality sound quality. Through the Surroundw**E 3D sound field technology independently developed by Xisheng, it is equipped with 16The 2mm dynamic high-performance sound unit realizes the three-frequency equalization, coupled with the unique three-chamber promotion structure, which solves the problem of poor sound quality of the open headphones from the physical level, making the mid-frequency vocals transparent and the high-frequency details rich. In addition, it is equipped with high-end Bluetooth 53Audio SOC chip, which can clearly convey all kinds of details in ** to the ear, and its sound quality is not much different from that of open-back headphones at a price of 1,000 yuan.
In terms of configuration, Bluetooth 5The 3 chip further ensures faster connection speed, lower power consumption, and stronger anti-interference ability. In addition, it supports 60ms competition-level low latency, so that you can play games smoothly!Equipped with an omnidirectional noise-canceling microphone, every call is guaranteed to be unblocked. The earbuds can be used for up to 18 hours in a single use, and with the charging compartment, the battery life is up to 54 hours.
Open-back headphones above 1000 yuan are recommended
South Carolina 00 pressure open-back headphones
Ref: 1099RMB
Bluetooth version: v52
Driver: Super Bass 20 high-performance sound drivers
Battery life: 25h
Call Noise Cancellation: Four-microphone call noise cancellation
Recommended Index:
In the field of open-back headphones, Nanka 00 pressure is highly regarded for its excellent comfort, excellent sound quality and excellent configuration experience, and is well received by digital experts, earphone enthusiasts and professionals in the industry. It can be said that Nanka 00 pressure is the king of "comfort and sound quality peak" technology.
This South Carolina OE Pro focuses on 0 sense and 0 pressure to wear comfortably. The earphone design adopts a 31-degree tilt angle, so that the shape curve of the earphone and earhook naturally fits the structure of the ear wheel and the root behind the ear. At the same time, the high-grade skin-friendly silicone coverage ensures comfort when wearing and maintains a tight fit during exercise.
In terms of sound quality, the headphones are equipped with a 16mm Super Bass 20 high-performance sound unit, coupled with SAQ independent acoustic cavity, and with the tuning of the South Carolina OS acoustic system, compared with similar products on the market, the overall sound reproduction degree has been increased by 986%！Moreover, it has specially established a high-standard acoustic laboratory, and has jointly developed with more than 20 earphone enthusiasts and HIFI clubs, and jointly compiled the Super Sound OS acoustic system with 100 acoustic engineers. After more than 800 days of repeated tuning, the sound quality of this headset is not inferior to that of well-known foreign brands.
In terms of configuration, Qualcomm's customized 52 chips, to ensure a stable connection, excellent transmission function and anti-interference ability, 60 milliseconds of low latency connection stability, especially suitable for mobile game scenarios. In terms of battery life, it can be used for 8 hours on a single charge, and it can be used for up to 25 hours with a charging case, and the battery life performance is still very good.
Shokin Open Fit open-back headphones
Ref: 1299RMB
Bluetooth version: v52
Driver: 18mm x 11mm large driver
Endurance: 28h
Call Noise Reduction: AI Call Noise Reduction
Recommended Index:
The whole body of the OpenFit earphones adopts a skin-friendly liquid silicone molding process, which makes it delicate and elastic. The contact between the earphone core and the earnail cavity is made of "double-layer zero-degree silicone", which increases the contact area between the earphone core and the inner wall of the earnail cavity, effectively reduces the pressure and improves the wearing comfort. However, the headphones are not very secure when worn, making them not suitable for some large exercises such as running.
In terms of sound quality, the OpenFit comfort zone headphones use an 18mm*11mm ultra-large customized high-amplitude and high-sensitivity driver unit to reproduce high-fidelity details and sound balanced and transparent. The self-developed SHOKZ OpenBass low-frequency sound enhancement algorithm provides users with a rich bass experience, ensuring strong and stable high-frequency output.
The headset supports Bluetooth 52 chips, which can ensure the stability of the connection for daily use, but the latency of the headset will be relatively high, and the gaming experience is not particularly smooth. In addition, the earbuds can last up to 7 hours in one ear, and the battery life of the charging case can last up to 28 hours, so I think it would be perfect if you could have more of the last time of the charging case.
Cleer ARC II open-back headphones
Reference**: 1799RMB
Bluetooth version: v53
Vocal unit: 162mm extra-large speaker unit
Battery life: 35h
Call Noise Cancellation: Dual-microphone smart call noise cancellation
Recommended Index:
The Cleer ARC II arc features a rotatable elastic adjustment design and food-grade antimicrobial skin-friendly silicone that allows the earbuds to automatically rotate to fit the ear when worn, adapting to different ear shapes and sizes, providing excellent wearing comfort.
It has built-in 16The 2mm large speaker unit, combined with DBE dynamic bass enhancement technology, presents richer sound effects and more sound details, especially in terms of low-frequency effects, providing users with a deeper low-frequency experience.
The most striking feature is its smart sensing function, which is equipped with six sensors that enable the headset to perform quick and easy operations with simple movements such as shaking the head and nodding the head. At the same time, it supports intelligent recognition of anti-loss and sports fall functions, which is extremely innovative. In order to improve the user experience, the earbuds are also specially equipped with ultraviolet germic disinfection lamps specially designed for sports, and the charging case has a built-in ultraviolet disinfection lamp, which effectively kills most of the microorganisms such as ** grease and makes the use of the earbuds more hygienic. The battery life of the earbuds can reach up to 35 hours, and the single use can be continuous for 8 hours, and the overall performance is still good.
OlaDance OWS Pro open-back headphones
Reference**: 1899RMB
Bluetooth version: v53
Driver: High-precision laminated speaker
Battery life: 58h
Call Noise Cancellation: Six-microphone noise cancellation
Recommended Index:
The appearance of this earphone is not negligible, and the outer layer is made of ceramic**, which makes the appearance show a pure and delicate color, showing a ceramic-like warm luster. The earhook part refers to the "Mobius ring" design, and the futuristic smooth lines fit the ear shape and are still comfortable to wear, however, due to the unsatisfactory fit between the earphones and the pinna, large movements may cause the earphones to fall off more easily.
In terms of sound quality, each OWS Pro is equipped with a main chip and a dedicated amplifier chip, dual-core driver, enjoy 360° surround sound, create a transparent and full surround sound, and present a wider sound field.
In terms of configuration, the Bluetooth of the headphones is 5Version 3 not only connects very quickly, but also supports the connection of two devices at the same time. The earbuds also have a super strong battery, which greatly extends the service life, supporting up to 16 hours of ultra-long battery life, and if used with the charging case, the total battery life can reach 58 hours.