Open-Back Headphones for Gaming: Open Headset or Headphones with a Clip-On Mic? (2026 Buying Guide)

Open-back headphones have ear cups that aren't sealed on the outside. That makes the sound feel more spacious, and less heat builds up under the pads. The trade-off: you hear the room, and the room hears you. For plenty of PC players that's a good deal. In a shared flat, or next to a partner who's asleep, it usually isn't.

This guide covers when open-back makes sense, what the impedance number means and how to turn headphones without a mic into a headset. It ends with six products that are available on Amazon.de. For closed-back and wireless headsets in general, see the gaming headset buying guide.

Transparency: We have not tested these products ourselves. Specs come from beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, Antlion Audio and the Amazon.de listings we checked (November 2026). We deliberately don't quote prices.

Open vs closed: the difference

beyerdynamic puts it like this on its MMX 130 wireless page: with open-back, the ear cups are acoustically open. That gives a natural, spacious sound and better airflow. Unlike closed headsets, though, you still hear ambient noise, and sound leaks out.

Comparing its own MMX 330 PRO (open) and MMX 300 PRO (closed), beyerdynamic adds two more points. The closed model isolates better and suits rooms with other people in them. And the closed design delivers more pronounced bass.

When open-back fits

• You play alone in a quiet room.
• You wear headphones for hours and your ears get warm quickly.
• You want one pair for both music and games.

When it doesn't

• Someone sleeps or works in the same room.
• It's loud around you (traffic, fans, siblings).
• Your mic sits on the desk: it can pick up game audio from the open cups. A cardioid mic close to your mouth helps.

Impedance: do I need an amp?

Impedance, in ohms, roughly tells you how much voltage headphones need to get loud. Low-impedance models run straight from a controller, laptop or motherboard. High-impedance models need a stronger source.

beyerdynamic sells the DT 990 PRO in two versions: 80 ohms for the "universal studio" and 250 ohms for "professional devices". According to the Amazon listing, the 80-ohm version also works straight from a laptop. The MMX 330 PRO has 48 ohms, and beyerdynamic says its low-impedance driver works with PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch.

Rule of thumb: without a dedicated amp, pick the low-impedance version. If you already own a USB DAC or sound card with a headphone amp, you can go higher.

Mic: headset, or headphones plus a clip-on mic

Many open-back headphones have no microphone. For Discord and callouts you have three options:

1. An open-back gaming headset with a fixed or detachable mic, such as the MMX 330 PRO or the MMX 130 wireless.
2. A clip-on mic like the Antlion ModMic Uni 2+. Antlion says it attaches to almost any headphones with an adhesive base and a magnetic clasp. It has a 3.5 mm plug, a 2 m cable and an in-line mute switch.
3. The manufacturer's boom mic: Sennheiser's HD 500 BAM twists into the left ear cup. According to Sennheiser it only fits certain Sennheiser models, including the HD 599, HD 599 SE, HD 560S and HD 620S.

A separate USB microphone on the desk works too. With open-back headphones it should sit close to your mouth.

Connecting to console and PC

• ModMic Uni 2+: Antlion says it works without an adapter on a Windows or Linux PC with a mic jack. PlayStation, Xbox and most laptops need a Y adapter, sold separately.
• HD 500 BAM: It ends in a 4-pole 3.5 mm plug (CTIA), which goes straight into a controller. Sennheiser includes a Y adapter for PCs with separate jacks.
• MMX 130 wireless: beyerdynamic lists a USB dongle, Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C and a 3.5 mm cable. On Xbox, only the cable works. Switch and Switch 2 don't carry the mic over Bluetooth.

Six example products

The products below were available on Amazon.de when we checked (November 2026, German delivery address, shipped by Amazon). They aren't test winners, just examples of different ways to get open-back sound. Specs come from the manufacturers or the Amazon.de listings.

318 g (without cable)

Example model

Wired open-back gaming headset: beyerdynamic MMX 330 PRO

The open counterpart to the closed MMX 300 PRO. According to beyerdynamic it has a STELLAR.45 driver, 48 ohms, a 5–40,000 Hz frequency range and a cardioid condenser mic. It weighs 318 g without the cable. The box includes a 3.5 mm PC cable and a console adapter. Ear pads, head pad and cable are available as spare parts. Made in Germany.

Design

open-back, wired

Impedance

48 ohms

Mic

condenser, cardioid

Weight

318 g (without cable)

Platforms

PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch (cable)

Good for you if you want a ready-made open headset with a good mic and don't mind a cable.

View on Amazon.de*Ad link

Example model

Open and wireless: beyerdynamic MMX 130 wireless

A rare wireless headset with an open design. beyerdynamic lists 40 mm titanium-coated drivers, a detachable META VOICE mic and more than 80 hours of battery life. The battery is replaceable. It connects via a low-latency USB dongle, Bluetooth, USB-C or a 3.5 mm cable. The beyerdynamic app offers sound presets and an EQ.

Design

open-back, wireless + wired

Connection

USB dongle, Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C, 3.5 mm

Battery

80+ h, replaceable

Mic

detachable

Xbox

3.5 mm cable only

Good for you if you want open-back sound without being tied to a cable.

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250 g (headphones)

Example model

Headphones plus matching mic: Sennheiser HD 599 SE with HD 500 BAM

A bundle of the open-back HD 599 SE and the HD 500 BAM boom mic. Sennheiser lists the headphones at 50 ohms with 38 mm transducers and 250 g. The mic is a 10 mm condenser with a cardioid pattern, plus an in-line volume wheel and mute switch. It locks into the ear cup without glue or magnets.

Design

open-back, wired

Impedance

50 ohms

Weight

250 g (headphones)

Mic

HD 500 BAM, condenser, cardioid

Connection

3.5 mm 4-pole (CTIA) + Y adapter

Good for you if you want open headphones for music and a mic that's mounted properly.

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250 g

Example model

Just the headphones: Sennheiser HD 599

According to Sennheiser's spec sheet it matches the HD 599 SE: 50 ohms, 250 g, 12–38,500 Hz. The box has a 3 m cable with a 6.3 mm plug and a 1.2 m cable with a 3.5 mm plug. There's no mic, but Sennheiser lists the HD 500 BAM as compatible with this model.

Design

open-back, wired

Impedance

50 ohms

Weight

250 g

Cables

3 m (6.3 mm) + 1.2 m (3.5 mm)

Mic

none, HD 500 BAM can be added

Good for you if you already have a desk mic or want to add the mic later.

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Example model

Studio classic: beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (80 ohms)

beyerdynamic describes it as open-back studio headphones for critical listening and editing. Specs for the 80-ohm version: 80 ohms, 5–35,000 Hz, 96 dB sensitivity, plus a straight cable with a 3.5 mm plug and a 6.35 mm adapter. Every part down to the drivers is available as a spare, according to the manufacturer. beyerdynamic explicitly lists the DT 990 PRO as suitable for gaming and streaming. The clamping force is firm, designed for studio work.

Design

open-back, wired

Impedance

80 ohms (250-ohm version also available)

Frequency range

5–35,000 Hz

Clamping force

firm, approx. 3.5–5.5 N

Mic

none, add e.g. a ModMic

Good for you if you want durable headphones for games, music and video editing.

View on Amazon.de*Ad link

Example model

A mic for almost any headphones: Antlion ModMic Uni 2+

A clip-on unidirectional mic with noise cancelling. Antlion lists a 3.5 mm TRS plug, a 2 m cable and an in-line mute switch. It attaches with an adhesive base and a magnetic clasp. In the box: two bases, spare adhesives, a pop filter, cable clips and a hard-shell case.

Type

clip-on, unidirectional

Connection

3.5 mm TRS, 2 m

Controls

in-line mute switch

PC

straight into the mic jack

Console

needs a Y adapter (sold separately)

Good for you if you want to keep your favourite headphones and just add a mic.

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Products compared

Product	Type	Mic	Impedance
beyerdynamic MMX 330 PRO	open headset, wired	fixed	48 ohms
beyerdynamic MMX 130 wireless	open headset, wireless + wired	detachable	n/a
Sennheiser HD 599 SE + HD 500 BAM	headphones + boom mic	plug-in	50 ohms
Sennheiser HD 599	headphones	add-on	50 ohms
beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (80 ohms)	studio headphones	add-on	80 ohms
Antlion ModMic Uni 2+	clip-on mic	–	–

Checklist before you buy

• Is your room quiet enough, and will sound leaking out bother anyone?
• Picked the low-impedance version if you don't have a headphone amp?
• Mic sorted: headset, clip-on mic or a desk mic close to your mouth?
• On console: cable into the controller, or a Y adapter planned in?
• Somewhere to put them down? A headset stand protects pads and headband.

FAQ

Are open-back headphones better for shooters?

It depends on the room. beyerdynamic describes open-back sound as spacious and good for locating sounds. If it's noisy around you, you lose that advantage, because open-back doesn't isolate. In that case a closed model is the better choice.

Can other people hear what I'm playing?

Yes. Open-back headphones let sound out. How loud that is depends on your volume. In the same room it's usually easy to hear.

Will my mic pick up the game audio?

It can, especially with a desk mic further from your mouth. A cardioid mic right in front of your mouth, like a boom or clip-on mic, mainly picks up your voice.

80 or 250 ohms for the DT 990 PRO?

Without a headphone amp, go for the 80-ohm version. According to the Amazon listing it also works straight from a laptop. beyerdynamic positions the 250-ohm version for professional devices.

Does the HD 500 BAM fit my beyerdynamic headphones?

No. Sennheiser says it only fits the listed Sennheiser models, such as the HD 599, HD 599 SE, HD 560S and HD 620S. For other brands, use a clip-on mic like the ModMic.

Do open-back headphones work on PS5 and Xbox?

Yes, with a 3.5 mm cable into the controller. A mic with its own plug needs a Y adapter there, which combines headphones and mic into one 4-pole plug. For more on console headsets, see the PS5 headset buying guide and the Xbox headset buying guide.

Sources

• beyerdynamic: MMX 130 wireless (incl. open-back FAQ)
• beyerdynamic: MMX 330 PRO
• beyerdynamic: DT 990 PRO
• Sennheiser: HD 599 SE
• Sennheiser support: HD 599/SE specifications
• Sennheiser: HD 500 BAM spec sheet (PDF)
• Antlion Audio: ModMic Uni 2+
• beyerdynamic MMX 330 PRO on Amazon.de*
• beyerdynamic MMX 130 wireless on Amazon.de*
• Sennheiser HD 599 SE + HD 500 BAM on Amazon.de*
• Sennheiser HD 599 on Amazon.de*
• beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO on Amazon.de*
• Antlion ModMic Uni 2+ on Amazon.de*