Unless you’re a tech connoisseur, you may not know that basic over the ear headphones come in two standard forms: open-back or closed-back.

Odds are, you’ve seen a lot more closed-back headphones around than anything else. These sets lock in the sound and are great for blocking outside noise from entering your ears.

…But is that really the best listening experience out there?

It may surprise you to learn some fascinating ways open-back headphones provide an enhanced listening experience.

1. Give Your Ears Some Breathing Room

Sure, your ears themselves may not feel confined by your headphones, but you certainly can.

If you tend toward the claustrophobic side, then closed-back headphones that pin your ears down are probably not the best choice for you.

Those stylish looking perforations in open-back headphones do a lot more than make them look cool.

Slits in the sides of open-back phones provide much-needed “breathing space” for your ears. These open lines in the headphones create air-flow that keep your ears cool and allow them to feel less strapped-down.

Perforations in open-back headphones provide a definite comfort upgrade.

2. Enjoy Hearing the “Live Band” Sound

When you use closed-back headphones, they do a good job trapping the sound right next to your ears. Unfortunately, this results in a sound that seems like the band you’re listening to is right in your head.

Talk about headaches!

Open-back headphones allow the sound to escape in both directions from your headphones. This is a great feature, as it gives the authentic sound of listening to a live band instead of feeling like the band is trapped right against your ear.

The acoustics between the two headphone types vary greatly. So, if you like to feel like you’re there in the concert hall or right up against the stage, then open-back headphones are the better choice.

3. Hear Ambient Sound

Another potentially positive feature, (depending on your music preferences), is that when you listen with open-back headphones, you get to hear the “ambient” sounds all around you besides your music.

If you’re studying for a test, you may not prefer this feature. But, if you like to hear the birds in the trees, the chatter of your children, or feel like the music is playing out loud in the room instead of sent straight to your skull, then open-back headphones are the better choice for you.

Because open-back headphones let in the sounds around you and the music from your speakers, you are less closed-off from the world around you while listening.

4. Hear A Bigger Sound

Is music your life? To get the bigger, more rounded out sound, you’ve got to go with open-backed headphones.

The sound in these headphones is not confined to your ear canal and therefore gives you a larger, more rich experience.

You need to be aware that while you may enjoy a less contained sound from your headphones, others in the room may not…

That bigger sound is a perk if you plan on using these headphones for personal use and music enjoyment only. But again, if you’re looking for something to drown out sound while studying, or to listen to in a public setting where others might not appreciate your taste in AC/DC, then open-back headphones are not the preferred choice.

5. The Cleanliness Factor

This may seem like a small factor to consider when deciding between styles of headphones, but in the long run, it can become a big issue.

One perk of open-backed headphones and their open lines and perforation is that they usually result in less sweat gathering around your head and ears.

Don’t believe us? Try a pair of closed-back headphone listening for an hour and see how sweaty your head and headphones get.

If you are a neat freak or self-proclaimed germaphobe, open-back headphones keep your ears drier and accumulating less sweat and grime. You’re less likely to need to clean them regularly, which could potentially damage the delicate material around your speakers.

6. Get the Soundstage Experience

Experienced musicians will know what it feels like to record or hear live music on a soundstage. This may be one of the biggest reasons (no pun intended) to choose the larger sound of open-back headphones over closed-back.

The soundstage effect of open-backed headphones creates a deeper sound.

Listeners who are used to the standard earbuds or closed-back headphones will have a lot more fun experiencing the wider sound that open-backs create.

The soundstage experience is like hearing the music in real life and allows you to feel the music more than other headphones.

True music lovers often opt for the open-back sets so they can enjoy the full range of their music, just as if they were in the soundstage recording with their favorite artists.

7. Sport the Retro Look

Is it silly to list the sweet look of open-back headphones as a pro? …Maybe.

Still, you can’t deny the legit look open-back headphones give to their wearers. Seeing someone sporting an open-back pair of headphone screams “unique.”

As most average listeners opt for closed-back headphones out of lack of understanding, those who choose open-back show off their techie knowledge of listening options.

Wearers of open-back headphones are letting those around them see their true love of music and hear it too.

You can find a variety of fun and unique looking open-back headphones to add some flare to your style and wardrobe. Customize your set with unusual patterns of perforations, colors, or materials.

Whatever open-back headphones you opt for, you’re guaranteed to look sweet.

Open-Back Headphones: Are They for You?

Before you lay down some serious cash for a new pair of overhead headphones, be sure to consider the pros and cons of both. Looking at various features of each, costs, and considering how you plan to use them will help you choose right.

Open-back headphones may not be for every listener, but their music-listening benefits and other pros are undeniable, regardless of your intent for use.

For other helpful, pre-buying headphone information, check out the headphone section of our blog.