I agree with most of your assessment -especially on tuning. But I think you missed on soundstage. The sense of openness that I experience with my open headsets cannot be rivaled with closed headsets, in my opinion of course. Unfortunately, just like a lot of people, I have very few chances to use open headphones, and end up with closed or semi-closed back headsets. Stinkin’ love your vids man, keep’em coming!
That's the problem with the audio world lot of people talk about other people's experience and create an echo chamber of what is good without actually experiencing it themselves. I tried many open headsets and don't like open air space feeling at all.
@@Magnus-pm7ic Completely agree. Sound, style, comfort, and overall experience are all so subjective and personal. Even if most are not audiophiles, we can all identify the headsets that are pure garbage, as well as agree on the ones that are held in high regards (some are just hype, though). In my opinion, comfort is the most important factor, then sound quality, then price. I always say, try the headset and judge for yourself. Cheers!
The main reason I decided to get an open back headphone was because I started to find my closed back headphone suffocating. It felt like all the sounds were crammed near my ears and my own voice keeps rumbling in my head when I talk. I also wanted to hear the things going on around me (such as my family members talking to me) without needing to take my headphones off. I certainly do not think that open back headphones straight up immediately give you a competitive edge, I believe its just a hearsay that had its details brushed off for convenience sake.
I actually just picked up an open back headset for the first time this week. The EPOS H6pros. They are the most comfortable headset I’ve ever wore. Partly because of how cool they are. No longer do my ears feel hot. And since there is no seal they lay lighter on your head. The sound quality didn’t really change to much as well it’s also super nice to be able to hear myself so I can talk with my headset on so I don’t have to only have one ear covered with people around. Only thing I would keep in mind is the lack of noise canceling. I can hear everything around me easily. Luckily my house is very quite but it’s not for everyone.
Its a shame we can’t test before we buy most headphones 🎧/ headsets prior to purchasing as hearing sound is subjective and dependant on factors such as: a persons hearing, frequency sensitivity, ear shape, the set your using, external factors such environment just to name a few. In audio stores this can be possible, but in my stores it’s not so making a choice is generally put down to price and look which isn’t the best way to get the sound you want. Imo Anyways 😂👍🥰. Great video Techne 👍🍾🏆.
I agree which is why I order 2, sometimes 3 items and return the ones I'm not satisfied with. Amazon has a 1 month return policy. Best Buy has 15 days.
@@liquid79 here’s a hack for best buy headphones, ALWAYS get the 2 year warranty. If they break you can return them, if you just want to upgrade, you return them and they give you store credit worth the price you paid for them
I usually switch between open back and closed back depending on what I'm playing. I like closed back for online fps games and open back for open world and rpgs
thats exactly why i just purchased some BD 990 pros, just wandering how the immersion feels on open back ? :D People said you lose some immersion for sure so im kinda curious
You missed the point of open backs being better for gaming. The soundstage is far bigger and it's way easier to pinpoint where sounds are coming from in game.
Agree with this completely. I've tested a ton of headsets and headphones that are open and closed, and open doesn't magically make the sound better for competitive. Like you said, one vents the sound and one doesn't which lets the bass reverberate a bit more. The drivers remain the same. It's definitely one of those "audiophile" claims that gets repeated in their echo chambers so long that people just take it as truth without testing themselves. If all things are equal, say the Astro A40 (open back) or A40 with the Mod Kit (closed back), I personally prefer the sound of the open back for the bass and the sound isolation. But I've gone back and forth between them, and it's not like my performance suddenly drops in COD because I changed to closed back.
No, the open structure itself doesn't improve the sound quality. But drivers intended for open headphones will be able to pull out the pros of open headphones. From my experience, open headphones generally have better separation and imaging compared to closed back. The most noticeable difference is in sound stage (no shit). I generally prefer open backs for gaming, but closed backs have its pros too. The extra bass is capable of reproducing explosions and gun fire pretty well (although muddy), footsteps will be more prominent and etc. You can't really compare Open vs Closed with astro a40's. They really are the bottom of the barrel for headphone sound quality. Something like HD560S/Sundara vs DT770 pro will be a much better comparison. Keep in mind that I generally listen to music, and seldom Halo Infinite and BF1.
Something else you should look into are IEMs. You can get some great ones (KZ ZSN PRO X) for around $20 shipped. And the higher-end ones ($100-300+) have the sound quality of headphones easily, all without having the earcups or headband. After I got a dedicated mic, I switched over to a set of IEMs and have loved the experience. Of course, fit in the ear gets to be a point where some people love/hate IEMs. I think it could make decent content for the channel though and be something a little different while staying the same. Anyways, great video as always. I enjoyed it.
I have done the same kz zex I have some great headphones I use for gaming but the comfort of IEM is unsurpassed . Also great noise isolation. Waiting for 2.4ghz wireless adapters for IEMs to be developed and wireless gaming headsets will be obsolete.
I've yet to use an open back. I mainly game at night since I work graveyard. I do however game during the day on workdays. I haven't ever thought of getting open backs, though now I'll have to watch reviews to give a set a shot.
Very good tip/s for those who are still looking for their right instruments for their ears. :) Before I settled with Grado for open back and Marshall for closed back (due to bluetooth), I checked all the reviews... and specially the budget I have and it took me weeks to decide. hehe. Thanks for this video.
I personally prefer open-back. I don’t like the isolated feeling and the pressure on my ears I get with closed-back. I’m having a hard time finding an open-back headset though. I currently have the Rig 4VR. That thing is incredibly comfortable and light, I wish that they would come out with an updated version with better sound. I’ve tried the PC38x but it sounded way too muffled without any EQing. I also tried the Fidelio L2’s, but they aren’t comfortable enough for gaming and the highs were a bit much for me.
Most important is Health. With closed back sound reflections and air waves are keep hitting the ear membrane. With open backs those escape outside in the air so the ear membrane has less pressure. Just make a test put 1 paper and a speaker inside a close place close distance and take a video after that do it again outside u will see what happens. If u want to keep your hearing in good health at this age , Trust me don't Use Closed back and in ears. Unless they are the new Sony linkbuds.
Good video. You should check out the Beyerdynamic Tygr 300r. After watching your videos we seem to have similar taste in headphones. You really need to check out the Tygr 300r. They sound amazing. Alright ttyl and keep up the good work
Hi nice video but open back are not going to be so load that someone can hear it in another room and if your play a game while communicating through voice chat a closed back will have you talking loud or shouting and you won’t realize.
Great review, even some headphone reviewers out there don't talk about some of this stuff. Been had hd650 and zen signature stack for a bit now and has been absolutely amazing gaming and music experience.
Really interesting comparison. Thank you for covering. When I’m listening to music or gaming I like tune everything else out so closed back all the way for me!
Techne, going back to your backlog of videos for a new purchasing decision is stinkin' helpful and I really appreciate you. Bought some DT 1990s and a new DAC based on web research along with your videos.
Open back headphones create a better sound stage, within that sound stage imaging is much more precise due to the openess of the headphones and the sound stage, creating a more immersive experience. Open back all day.
I don’t know if you remember me but I asked if I should switch to the penrose since my arctis pro wireless’s were cracked. Audeze is selling their penrose for half price right now and I finally caved and I bought them! Thanks for your reviews and keep up the awesome content!
I don’t like this take at all it’s been proven that open back headphones are better for depth/locational accuracy! I mean there’s a big reason why people use them and why a lot of competitive gamers use them. The passive soundstage is just much better. In a way tho he’s rite they won’t bring out footsteps better or make them louder but, the depth they add makes locating the direction and depth far superior. I just feel like what he’s saying is based more on personal preference rather than facts. There’s a reason why majority of gamers and reviewers say open back headphones are better for spatial awareness. you should take this video with a grain of salt!
I love my SennHeisers (Epos) Pc37X and HD6xx even the H6 PRO. But as nice and comfortable these headphones are I've yet to find a headphone that gives me the same directional soundscape my Plantronics GameCom780's gave me especially if you enabled their 7.1 software.
For me open back headphones all day for music! But for gaming closed back for sure, I understand the soundstage argument for gaming but I want a closed back headset to lock in every detail and hear every footstep, reload, etc….. for gaming.
If you can try and make review on headphones Denon AH-D7200, its gona be nice, they are secret gem. They are best headphones for gaming with best imaging (better than HD800 and more highend stuff) and also fun bass. I prefer open back headphones and these are semi closed, but maan, that imaging is another level. Its little V-shape fun toning but still super clear footsteps and also better bass than any other headphones i ever heard or on pair with magnetoplanars. Sry for my english.
I agree with a majority of these headsets a few headsets you could add in the future of this series is the Corsair Hs80's and 75xb's, these headsets are really good for gaming in my opinion but let me know what you think of them.
I have an Audeze Penrose but unfortunately they are just too fragile and broke only after a few months of careful use, to replace the Audeze i decided to get the HS80 because of the mic quality and believe me they are not on the same level of the Audeze Penrose, i have a bunch of other headsets including a Razer Kaira Pro and the Arctis 9x and in terms of audio quality the Penrose demolishes any gaming headset on the market. The HS80 are ok nothing special honestly and they get too hot i have to take them off regularly because of sweaty ears. I also have a Philips Fidelio x2 and i just wish the Penrose v2, if they come out one day, have the same build quality.
Great expanation Techne! I'm just experiencing open headsets. Been using closed headsets forever. I'm really liking what I hearing in open headsets when I'm playing in fps games. Thanks for the great explanation.
Hi @The Techne! I’m your new fan here. Your review are always stinkin straight forward and honest, funny as well. Help me out here, planning to buy my first gaming headset. Should I go for razer blackshark v2 pro or epos h6pro? Looking forward for your stinkin advise 👍🏼
Im using xm3's with ambient sound mode enabled. I dont disturb the family, but i still have real world situational awareness outside the headphones so i dont miss a knock on the door or someone trying to get my attention
Have you ever tried any Edifier or Oppo? I’ve watched a lot of your videos, not all, but a lot. However, I’ve never seen you talk about them. They are a new brand to me and would love to see what you thought of them. Thanks for the awesome content and honest reviews!
By far, I prefer open-backed for two main reasons. 1st it gives a much better soundstage, and is closer to listening to a home theater. And 2nd, you don't get the sound pressure pressing on the ear drums.
Me and my partner are trying to find the best set up for gaming in the same room together. She is on a PS5 well I am using PC. Currently we get a lot of echo and when playing games like Apex where you tend to play 3v3 we get a lot of complaints regarding our current set up. Can you recommend a set up and some equipment that might suit our situation and of course if you mention a headset, would it be open or closed? Have a great day.
i personally prefer a warmer sound because from what ive experienced it the highs are too high and theres less base to balance it out then it just hurts my head
Ever since I got my Sennheizer hd 58x never went back to my wireless artic 1. The difference is night and day specially pairing it with gsx 1000. The sound is much more lively and you can tell where the sounds are coming from (r6, dayz, eft & etc).
im currently looking for an open back set of gaming head phones iv tried several closed back ones and they all seem to hurt my ears . Mostly due to the trapped pressure waves inside my ears i have the same problem with earbuds. Hopefully open back will help in this regard but my main requirement is they need to be wireless
It isn’t how it works it’s just a part of a equation it’s the freq response hrtf soundstage imaging and people who is semi pro can easily tell the difference
I love my a50's but they bleed very badly to the point where my microphone keeps echoing. My friends wires closed backs don't..so I'm thinking in between getting wired open backs which might stop the echo to the interface or wireless close backs. But close back my friend has really isn't that well for video games..the audio separation ain't all that. I need a premium top notch closed back..But still am deciding.
Before I watch, the things that come to MY mind... Opens have bigger soundstage and SHOULD have deeper bass. I'll comment again, after I have watched the video...
I have the pc38x as my go to 'gaming' headset for now and you may've not gave it a longer testing time..? I've tried and used most popular gaming headsets such as Astro a40, cloud2, alpha, blackshark v2 and steelseries pros they all have their ups and downs but I'm not here to review them I'm here to compare how good pc38x was compared to them. The soundstage and details are better on the sennheiser and even more with an amp but I don't care too much about that. A cloud2 would do you more than enough tbh in term of competitive gaming, however gaming with an open-back headphone is really cool you should give it a try BUT to me comfort is king and its all about that. The comfort is annoying at first you do need to break them in to decrease that 'sennheiser' clamping force but once its loose it becomes so comfy(same goes with hd58x), I do wish other company use the ear cushions (sports material) sennheiser have on the pc38x cuz it doesn't build any heat unlike the leather and even the velour. From where I live high temperature is a bitch so I cant stand any headset from the heat they build up(I'd like you to add that in your reviews btw :D how are the heat build up with the headsets) being an open-back does help with that for sure but still.. at the end of the day we all have different head sizes/shape so if I find a good headset it might not be good to others and vice versa. Sorry for the long comment :P nice video as always Techne
you should try sennheiser 560s. my blackshark v2, shp 9600, ath m50x, cloud2, pc38x, gsp 350 and arctis pro+gamedac are now just collecting dust. will probably sell all of them except for the pc38x since my son is using it.
do people realise that theres no point in having competitively advantages headphones/headset? like any headphones and headsets works. pros dont even use headset in tournaments. just get yourself a good sounding headphone or headset and u are good to go. *although i prefer just buying a headphone then buy a boom mic or a seperate mic
just get a headphone/headset for its immersiveness, not competitive sake. or even better if u hate headphones and headset. get an iem, it has the same sound quality as many headphones at like 500 + dollars when u get an iem of 200+ dollars only
you clearly have no idea what you're talking about. those pros use iems on lans because they need to use earmuffs. if earmuffs isnt needed they have to use the brands who sponsored them. but if given the choice of course they will use their preferred gears.
What’s the best wireless headset under £140. That’s my max budget for a headset for pc and PS4. Rn I’m about to get Corsair hs80 but any other suggestions would be great
@@overgearedgaming8633 I chose the HS80 and as amazing as the reviews show it isn’t all that. Build quality poor as the strap started coming off within the first few months and the sound quality is good but definitely could be better. Quite bulky, big and not as lightweight as made out. Mic quality also good no however stopped working properly when the drivers needed to be updated! For the price not worth it in my opinion
@the Techne do a video on the Sennheiser HD560s , Hd599 and hd660s , mate I'm telling you I went from a £300 astro a40 TR mixamp pro setup to a sennheiser hd560s with the ifi zen dac v2 and its night and day better, the directional audio is PHENOMENAL, not to mention its the headset Huskkerrs uses 🤣
Great video. I wish I could use closed backs so that I could get wireless. But I just hate not being able to hear myself talk. I also really like being able to hear the environment around me so that I know when the kids or wife need me.
I disagree about hearing your environment with open back on. I wear ath Ad700x and I hear nothing when gaming and people are trying to talk to me or what have u.
The Techne: "The Audeze Penrose? Perfect, buy this". Me: "Ok let's try this". Also Me: Checks price "300 euros? Hell no!". So yeah. Sorry but no. Any better suggestions up to a 100 euros???
caught your time signature labels , weird how no body has mentioned this atleast how much i could find . Haha . if you can afford audeze , well my friend you can surey pay bills AUDEasily
That is the most lamest explanation that I ever heard. The reason open backs are better then close back is open back headsets have a larger sound stage and better imaging. With an open back headset you can still hear foot steps while gun shots are firing and grenades are exploding. You can tell if someone above you and under you a lot easier.
Unfortunately it us a bit of opinion. Opinions are formed from knowledge or lack of. This guy has a lack of. Nothing in this video has any factual backing or actual reasoning as to one or the other from a real audio perspective. Another good chunk of your opinion on this subject comes from knowing what to listen for in your audio. It's obvious when you hear people give an audio explanation like this,they have no idea what good sound actually is beyond the obvious that it does in fact sound better one way or the other. His opinion isn't wrong because it's an opinion. I think his opinion seems to be highly uninformed. Spatial awareness is far better on open back. Thumping bass and laid highs take away from that. Do you want a set of cans that tickles your ears and makes you feel good about your crappy audio or do want to actually hear the things you've been missing? If so, I'd listen to other opinions that are better informed on the subject.
