Open-Back Vs Closed-Back headphones for gaming, which one is better? Whichever you choose can improve your gaming experience or make it poor. Audio is essential in gaming , different headphones reproduce sound differently depending on the type of earcup enclosure, i.e., open-back or closed-back. This article will cover how these two headphone enclosures compare, plus the pros and cons of each for gaming.
Open-Back Headphones
Open-back headphones allow air to interact with the speaker/driver. This is made possible by the perforated or open design. Because sound moves freely out of the earcup enclosure, this is one of several reasons why open-back headphones sound natural and clear.
However, this is where no noise is nearby because open-back headphones cannot block out noise. On top of that, they also leak out sound, so gaming or using them in some places might disturb others.
Open-back headphones are suggested for gaming because of their larger soundstage and airy and spacious sound quality. These qualities make them immersive for a better gaming experience. The open-back design makes them comfortable for longer gaming sessions because they are less likely to get hot.
The disadvantage of open-back headphones is that they lack sound isolation and leak a lot of sounds. Sound leakage is mainly an issue when using a sensitive gaming microphone. The microphone can pick up sounds from the headphone, which can be unpleasant for other gamers who are listening to you speak. However, this is mainly an issue when blasting the headphone at high volumes or using a very sensitive microphone.
If you prefer open-back headphones for gaming, check out the Phillips SHP-9500, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X, or Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. These are some of the best open headphones for gaming.
Closed-Back Headphones
Closed-back headphones are completely sealed around the earcup enclosure. They are the most popular type of headphones readily available in the market. Because they are completely sealed, the sound reproduced may not be as natural as an open-back set of headphones.
However, closed-back headphones will block out more noise and ambient sounds, which results in better isolation. This is especially important when gaming in a noisy environment or when you want no distractions for those in the in-zone moments. Most closed gaming headphones feature leather padding, enhancing the isolation and bass frequency. An enhanced low-end makes explosions and other explosive sounds more engaging.
The downside of an enhanced bass is that it will drown out other sounds, making the headphone less engaging. A smaller soundstage (though not always the case) and less separation are disadvantages of using closed-back headphones for gaming.
A closed-back design also makes the headphone less breathable, which leads to more heat accumulation in the earcup. This can get uncomfortable, especially when gaming in a hot room or environment. However, if your ambient temperature is cool enough, or you do not play games for long sessions, this might not be a big issue.
If you’re looking for a good pair of closed-back headphones for gaming, check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Sennheiser HD 569, or BRAINWAVZ HM5. For a complete list, check out our list of the best closed-back headphones for gaming.
Which is Better for Gaming? Open-back or closed-back headphones.
Open-Back Vs Closed-Back headphones, to go for either for gaming will depend on your environment and personal preferences. If background noise is a problem, closed-back headphones should be the right choice. If you game in a quieter environment, open-back headphones are good because of the overall quality of audio.
Go with open-back headphones for better sound quality, immersive experience, and revealing properties. Closed-back headphones are your best bet for privacy, explosive bass, and better noise isolation.
