Semi-open-back headphones are a less popular option compared to both open and closed headphones. If you’ve seen headphones advertised as semi-open but don’t know what that entails, you’re at the right place.
What are Semi-Open-Back Headphones?
Semi-open headphones are said to strike a balance between open-back and closed-back headphones. However, semi-open-back headphones are more like closed-back headphones but do not seal the headphone driver entirely.
If you look closely at most semi-open headphones, you’ll notice they have holes on the back of the earcups. These holes allow air into and out of the driver’s chamber. This allows semi-open-back headphones to have the advantages of open headphones but also their disadvantages.
Some popular semi-open-back headphones include Beyerdynamic DT880, Samson SR850, AKG K240 STUDIO, and Superflux HD668B.
Semi-Open-Back vs Open-Back Headphones
The difference between semi-open-back and open-back headphones is in the earcup enclosure. Semi-open-back headphones are not fully open and come with small holes or vents that partially open the earcup. Below is a photo of the AKG K240 STUDIO. You’ll notice the earcup has holes with vents that make it semi-open.
This is a Closeup Photo of The AKG K240 STUDIO’s Earcup
Open-back headphones on the other end have fully open earcups. Below is a close-up photo of the Hifiman HE1000. If you look closely, you will see the headphone driver. You can see the headphone for most open-back headphones because they are fully open.
A Close-up Photo of The Hifiman HE1000
Apart from their physical differences, open-back and semi-open-back headphones have different sound qualities. Because semi-open-back headphones are partially closed, they have better bass response than open-back headphones. If you need the immersive sound of open-back headphones with more bass, semi-open-back headphones are a good choice. Read about open-back vs closed-back headphones.
Do Semi-Open-Back Headphones Leak Sound?
Yes, semi-open headphones will leak sound and let in noise, but they will not be as much as open-back headphones. If you get semi=open headphones, you should expect all the negatives of owning an actual ‘open’ headphone. For this reason, semi-open-back headphones are not great for recording, privacy, and they will distract people around you.
Because semi-open-back headphones leak sound, you should use them for private listening sessions. They are also bad for music recording because they will leak sound and cloud your tracks.
What are Semi-Open-Back Headphones for?
Semi-open headphones offer immersive listening just like open-back headphones. For this reason, they are great for listening to music at home or in private. The design of semi-open-back headphones also improves the bass response compared to open-back headphones.
Apart from offering an immersive listening experience, most semi-open headphones are also advertised for professional studio applications. Mixing, mastering, and playback can all be done using semi-open-back headphones. The AKG K240 STUDIO and Samson SR850 are widely used in most studios and are highly recommended budget options.
