Headphone Reviews

Over-the-ear headphones with open-back ear cups are just the opposite of closed back 'phones that create a tight seal around your ear. The open cups allow you to hear sound from all around you. Here are a few examples.

Sony MDR-7506 ($130)
This classic studio monitor debuted in the early 1990s but later found mass acceptance among consumers. The MDR-7506 tells it like it is sonically, it’s comfortable to wear for hours at a time, and the price is right. sony.com

Beyerdynamic T 51 p ($289)
There’s a lot of heavy competition in the on-ear category, but the T 51 p holds its own. The ear cups for this lightweight, mostly metal design fold flat for easy storage. Sonic detail and resolution are superb, and if you go for a rich low-end sound, these ’phones won’t let you down. beyerdynamic.com