Audiotechnica Open Ear Headphones, sometimes called open-back headphones, are a type of headphone designed to allow external sound to be heard by the wearer. They work by having earcups that are open to the environment rather than sealed off. This open design provides a different listening experience compared to traditional closed-back headphones.
Some key features of open ear headphones include:
- Ambient Awareness – The open design allows you to hear ambient sounds around you while listening to audio from the headphones. This makes them suitable for situational awareness when out in public spaces.
- Soundstage – Open ear headphones provide a more spacious and natural sound quality, with the music feeling less closed in. This is because the open design allows the sound waves to dissipate naturally.
- Airflow – The earcups allow air to flow through freely, making them more breathable and cooler to wear, especially for extended periods.
- Sound Leakage – The open design means that some sound from the headphones will leak out. This can be heard by those nearby, so they may not be ideal in quiet public settings.
Overall, the key benefit of open ear headphones is providing audio while still allowing situational awareness through ambient sound. This makes them popular for a range of use cases from casual listening to monitoring live sound. The open design provides a different audio experience to traditional closed-back headphones.
Popular Open Ear Headphone Models
Open ear headphones from Audio-Technica such as the ATH-PG1, ATH-Sport7TW, and ATH-CK3TW have become quite popular in recent years.
The ATH-PG1 features a unique open air design that sits on the outer ear and provides an airy, natural sound. It has a flexible ear hook for stability during activities and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
For runners and gym-goers, the ATH-Sport7TW delivers JBL Pure Bass sound in a splashproof open ear design. It includes features like ambient aware mode to let in sounds from your surroundings.
Those looking for an affordable option should consider the ATH-CK3TW. It has a lightweight open ear hook design with touch controls right on the earbud. The sound is tuned for clear mids and smooth treble.
All of these open ear headphone models allow you to hear ambient sounds around you while enjoying your music. This makes them ideal for sports, commuting, working, or any situation where situational awareness is important.
Sound Quality
Open ear headphones provide a different sound quality experience compared to traditional closed-back headphones. By design, they allow external noise to blend in with your audio. This gives the sound a more natural, open quality rather than being fully isolated.
The frequency response range of open ear headphones varies across models. Some aim for a flatter, more neutral sound reproduction, while others boost certain frequencies like bass.
A key benefit of the open ear design is improved spatial imaging. With less isolation, the audio has more space to breathe rather than being trapped right next to your ear canal. This allows you to better pinpoint directional sounds and get a wider sense of space.
The tradeoff is that ambient noise will impact sound quality, especially in loud environments. Details and clarity can be lost when competing against external noise. Those looking for pristine audio isolation would be better served by closed-back headphones.
Overall, open ear headphones deliver a unique listening experience that many users find more natural and enjoyable. Just don’t expect fully immersive or noise-canceling performance. It’s a different approach that appeals to those who want situational awareness along with quality audio reproduction.
Comfort and Fit
Open ear headphones are designed for comfortable long-term wear. Unlike traditional closed-back headphones that fully enclose the ear, open ear headphones use an open design that rests gently on the ear. This prevents the irritation and discomfort that can occur from having your ears fully covered and pressed upon.
The open ear cups are lightweight and don’t put pressure on your outer ears. This allows you to wear them for hours without fatigue or pain building up. The earcups and headband are made from soft, breathable materials that further enhance comfort. You’ll barely notice you have them on.
Some open ear headphone models like the Koss Porta Pro even include adjustable temporal pads on the headband. These pads distribute weight evenly across your head for maximum comfort. This is ideal for long listening sessions.
The over-ear design also ensures a secure fit. The headphones won’t budge during activity while remaining comfortable. This stable fit paired with the open design makes open ear headphones a great choice for all-day wear. You get the sound quality you want without any of the discomfort drawbacks of traditional closed-back headphones.
Situational Awareness
One of the key benefits of open ear headphones is the ability to hear ambient sounds while listening to audio. Closed-back headphones that fully cover your ears block out external noise, which can be dangerous or inconvenient in many situations.
With open ear models, you can listen to music or take a phone call while still being able to hear traffic, announcements, and conversations around you. This makes them ideal for activities like running outdoors, commuting, or working in an office.
The open design allows sound to pass through to your ear canal, so you remain aware of your surroundings. This is especially important for safety reasons if you are listening while walking, driving, biking or in any scenario where you need to be alert.
Even at moderate volumes, open ear headphones will not fully isolate you. You’ll be able to hear a car honking or someone speaking to you. This situational awareness makes them better suited for use in public places compared to closed-back headphones that cocoon your ears.
So if you want headphones that don’t cut you off completely from ambient noise, open ear models allow you to listen while staying tuned into your environment. Just be aware that loud external sounds may interfere with your audio experience.
Battery Life
Open ear headphones are designed to be lightweight and portable, making them ideal for activities like working out or commuting where you want to listen to audio while still being aware of your surroundings. This portability does come at a cost – battery life.
Most open ear wireless headphones have a battery life ranging from 4-8 hours of continuous playback per charge. High-end models may get up to 10 hours. This is less than traditional over ear headphones which can get 15+ hours on a single charge.
The shorter battery life is due to the smaller size and weight of open ear models. There’s only so much space to fit a battery inside the earbud itself. However, a continuous battery life of 4-8 hours is still enough for most use cases like exercise or commuting. Some models come with a charging case that can recharge the earbuds on the go, providing further battery life before needing to plug in.
Battery life will depend on volume levels and whether any active noise cancellation features are enabled. Using ANC will drain battery faster. Volume at max levels will also reduce battery faster compared to moderate levels.
Most open ear headphones charge via USB-C and a full recharge takes 1-2 hours. Quick charge features can provide an hour or so of use from just 15-30 minutes of charging.
While battery life is a tradeoff compared to over ear models, the runtime of open ear headphones is still sufficient for on-the-go use. Charging cases and quick charging help provide further flexibility. Just be aware these headphones will need recharging more frequently than traditional headphones.
Noise Isolation
Open ear headphones offer little to no noise isolation compared to traditional closed back headphones. The open design allows external noise to freely enter and mix with your audio playback. While this provides situational awareness of your surroundings, it also means audio leakage – both in and out.
Nearby people may hear what you’re listening to, and environmental noise can intrude on your listening experience. Open headphones do not block ambient noise like voices, traffic, machinery, etc. Some models even allow louder external sounds to overpower your music.
This makes open ear headphones less than ideal for noisy public places like trains, planes, and offices. The lack of isolation is by design, but it reduces privacy and requires turning up the volume to overcome background noise. This can lead to listening at unsafe levels that risk long-term hearing damage.
If you want to maintain awareness of your environment for safety or social reasons, open ear headphones are a good choice. But the tradeoff is substantially reduced noise isolation compared to sealed headphones that block outside sounds. Consider your typical listening environment and if open or closed headphones better suit your needs.
Durability
Open ear headphones are designed with durability in mind to withstand regular use. Since they don’t have any earbuds sealing off the ear canal, the internal components don’t need to be as intricate or fragile as in-ear headphones.
The headband and earpieces are made of durable plastics that are flexible yet sturdy. Brands like Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser use high-quality plastics that are built to last through years of use without cracking or breaking.
Some open ear headphone models also have metal reinforcing the headband and hinges. This helps prevent the headphone bands from snapping and increases the overall sturdiness.
Additionally, open ear headphones don’t have any wires or cables that can easily get damaged or frayed from repeated bending and movement. Newer wireless models eliminate cables entirely for maximum durability.
Overall, the simplicity of the open ear design lends itself to headphones that can withstand frequent use and transport without compromising audio quality or performance. As long as the headphones are treated with proper care and maintenance, they can last for many years before needing to be replaced.
Use Cases
Open ear headphones are ideal for a variety of situations where you want to listen to audio while still being able to hear your surroundings.
- Sports and Workouts: Open ear headphones are popular among runners, cyclists, and other athletes. They allow you to listen to music or podcasts to stay motivated during your workout, while still letting in ambient noise so you can be aware of your surroundings. This is especially important for safety when running or biking outdoors.
- General Usage: The open ear design makes these headphones suitable for everyday use. You can listen to music or take calls while commuting or running errands without feeling completely cut off from your environment. This allows you to easily interact with people around you.
- At Work: Open ear headphones are useful in work environments where you want to listen to music or podcasts without being completely isolated. Customer service reps, retail employees, and office workers can use these to stay entertained throughout the workday while still being able to communicate with colleagues or customers.
The open ear design provides the convenience of listening while allowing situational awareness, making these headphones versatile for sports, everyday use, and work environments. Their ability to let in ambient sound makes them preferable over closed-back headphones for many situations.
Pricing
Audiotechnica offers open ear headphone models across a range of price points to meet different budgets and needs. Their most affordable open ear offering is the ATH-PG1 priced around $99. This lightweight pair features a simple over-ear design best suited for casual listening.
In the $150-200 range, Audiotechnica has popular options like the ATH-AD500X and ATH-AD700X. These offer the brand’s excellent audio quality in a comfortable open ear design perfect for long listening sessions at home. The open back ear cups provide a natural soundstage that immerses you in the music.
For premium sound and build quality, Audiotechnica’s high-end open ear headphones reach up to $400. The ATH-R70x is their flagship open back reference headphone made in Japan. It delivers incredible audio accuracy with its large 53mm drivers and reduced harmonic distortion. The lightweight magnesium alloy housing provides long-wearing comfort.
So whether you’re looking for an affordable entry-level pair or pro-grade studio headphones, Audiotechnica has open ear models at competitive prices to enhance your listening experience. The open back design provides a natural and immersive soundstage that’s ideal for critical listening and enjoying music at home.
