Open-back vs closed-back headphones: Which is best for gaming?

Whether you play on PC or console, chances are you probably own a Gaming Headset. That headset is also almost certainly a closed-back set of cans too.

But is that the best way? The best type of headphones? Well, as usual, it depends on what games you play, your budget, and preference. Firstly, what does open-back and closed-back mean?

When people talk about open-back and closed-back designs, they’re referring to whether the earcups are closed on the outside. This might seem like an insignificant difference, but it has a huge impact on the audio.

Essentially, open back headphones allow air to escape. Air obviously escapes from the other side towards your ears because vibrations in the air is how sound works. So, surely allowing air to go the other way is a waste of sound? Sort of, but there are benefits to this.

The main benefit is that open-back headphones sound more realistic, which doesn’t necessarily mean better. They sound more realistic as they don’t feel like they’re entirely ensconcing your ears, so the sound feels more natural. A lot of people refer to this as ‘soundstage’. This describes how broad and 3D the sound feels; it’s a bit of a vague concept, but it's super noticeable if you swap between closed and open back headsets. For example, switching between the VIRTUOSO PRO and the HS80 MAX would make this difference very clear. From there, it's up to you to decide which you prefer.

There seems to be a general consensus that open-back headphones are better, but as with everything, there are drawbacks and benefits to both types. Let’s take a look, so you can see if any of them are dealbreakers.

Pros

• More natural sounding, wider soundstage.
• Improved heat dissipation, air can escape so you get less sweaty.
• Usually lighter than closed-back.
• More environmental awareness.

Cons

• Open back design necessitates higher volume.
• No seal means you can hear outside sounds more easily.
• Spatial audio can be less effective.

Pros

• Better seal, generally more immersive.
• Spatial audio feels more precise. Better for competitive gaming.
• Most gaming headsets are closed back, so you’ll have more options to choose from.

Cons

• Not breathable.
• Less realistic audio.

Audio is very tricky to quantify. So much is based on subjective preference, meaning that it’s essentially impossible to make authoritative judgements. That being said, there are some applications that each type is better suited to.

For competitive games, particularly FPS, like Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Apex Legends, spatial audio is more important than having natural sound. This means that a closed-back headset is definitely the way to go. Our HS80 MAX is a great option for competitive gaming.

Alternatively, those who stick to immersive single-player games should consider an open-back headset. Yes, you tend to hear more of your real-live surroundings, but the improved soundstage can really elevate the experience of games like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor or the Dead Space Remake. The VIRTUOSO PRO would suit these sorts of games perfectly, by the way.

Of course, either style of headphones/headset will work for both, so don’t come away from this article feeling like your experience will be bad if you only have one type of headset. However, trying out a closed-back if you’ve only ever had open-back design or vice versa, is well worth considering.