The Best Open-Back Headphones in Canada (2026)

The best open-back headphone for most people is the Meze 109 Pro — a natural, even-sounding open-back that doesn't need an expensive amplifier — while the Sennheiser HD800S and HiFiMAN Susvara sit at the reference and end-game ends of the scale. Open-back headphones trade isolation for a wider, more natural sound, which is why most audiophiles prefer them. Below is our dealer's guide to the best open-back headphones in Canada, compared by tier, with honest notes on what each one needs to sound its best.

What are the best open-back headphones?

Here are the open-back headphones we carry and recommend in Canada, from approachable to end-game:

Headphone	Driver type	Best for	Amplifier needs
Meze 109 Pro	Dynamic	The best place to start	Moderate — easy to drive
Grado (GS series)	Dynamic	Forward, energetic sound	Low to moderate
Focal Clear MG	Dynamic	Detail with an easy setup	Moderate
Sennheiser HD800S	Dynamic (300Ω)	Reference soundstage	High — needs a good amp
Meze Empyrean II	Planar magnetic	Musical flagship	High
HiFiMAN Susvara	Planar magnetic	End-game detail	Very high — power-hungry

What are open-back headphones?

Open-back headphones have vented earcups that let air — and sound — pass freely through them, rather than sealing it in. That single design choice gives them a wider, more three-dimensional soundstage and a more natural, speaker-like presentation than closed-back designs. It's the sound most audiophiles prefer, and it's the heart of high-end headphone listening.

Open-back vs closed-back headphones: which should you buy?

The main difference between open-back vs closed-back headphones is isolation. Open-back headphones leak sound both ways — people near you hear your music, and you hear the room — so they offer little to no isolation. That makes them poor for commuting or a shared office, but ideal for a quiet room where you can simply listen. If you need to block out noise, choose closed-back. If you have a space to yourself and want the most natural sound your budget can reach, open-back is the answer.

Best entry open-back headphones

Meze 109 Pro

If we could hand one open-back to a first-time listener, it's often the 109 Pro. Meze voiced it to be even and natural rather than showy, and it's efficient enough to sound excellent from a good desktop amplifier without needing a cost-no-object one. Beautifully built, comfortable for long sessions, and fully repairable — a genuine long-term keeper. See the full Meze range, or our guide on how to choose a Meze headphone.

Grado

Grado's open-backs are their own thing — hand-built in Brooklyn, with a forward, immediate presentation that makes guitars and vocals sound like they're happening in the room. A favourite of listeners who value energy and engagement over polite neutrality. Our Grado Labs range sits at the premium end of the line; the Grado lineup guide maps out where each model fits.

Best reference open-back headphones

Sennheiser HD800S

Few headphones are as widely used as a reference as the HD800S. Its calling card is soundstage — an enormous, precisely laid-out sense of space that makes classical and acoustic recordings feel holographic. At 300 ohms it rewards a clean, capable amplifier and a good source; pair it well and it disappears. See the Sennheiser HD800S.

Focal Clear MG

Focal's Clear MG reaches reference performance a different way — a fast, detailed dynamic driver with a magnesium dome that's more forgiving of source and genre than some peers, and easier to drive than the HD800S. A strong choice if you want reference-grade detail without a fussy setup. See the Focal Clear MG.

Best flagship open-back headphones

HiFiMAN Susvara

The Susvara is, for many listeners, the destination. Its planar-magnetic driver resolves detail, texture, and dynamics at a level few headphones approach — but it is famously power-hungry and demands serious amplification to come alive. Underpower it and you'll wonder what the fuss is about; drive it properly and it's spellbinding. One to hear before you buy. See the HiFiMAN Susvara.

Meze Empyrean II

Meze's flagship pairs the Rinaro Isodynamic planar driver with the brand's craftsmanship and comfort. It's a more forgiving, more musical take on flagship planar sound — rich, spacious, endlessly listenable — and a little easier to drive than the Susvara, though it still wants a proper amp. The Empyrean II is a flagship you can live with every day. We also carry Audeze's LCD planars and statement designs from Abyss at this level.

Do open-back headphones need an amplifier?

Most high-end open-back headphones do — and the flagships absolutely require one. High-impedance designs like the HD800S and power-hungry planars like the Susvara can sound flat and lifeless out of a phone or laptop, and transform completely on the right amp. Budget for amplification as part of the purchase, not an afterthought. Our headphone amplifiers range runs from clean solid-state to tube designs, and the DAC feeding the amp matters too. Tell us which headphones you're considering and we'll point you to amplification that suits them.

How to choose open-back headphones

Three questions settle most decisions. Do you need isolation? If yes, open-back isn't the right category. What's your amplifier budget? A flagship on a weak amp is a worse experience than a mid-tier headphone driven well, so be honest here. What do you listen to, and how? Long, focused sessions in a quiet room reward the flagships; casual listening is often better served by an approachable pair you'll actually reach for.

Open-back headphones FAQ

Are open-back headphones better than closed-back?

For sound quality in a quiet room, most audiophiles prefer open-back — the soundstage and naturalness are hard to match. But closed-back headphones are better when you need isolation or don't want to disturb others. Neither is universally "better"; it depends on where and how you listen.

Do open-back headphones leak sound?

Yes. By design, open-back headphones let sound out (and in), so people nearby will hear your music and you'll hear the room. That's the trade-off for their wider, more natural sound, and why they're best used in a private space.

Do you need an amp for open-back headphones?

Entry models like the Meze 109 Pro can run from a good source without much fuss, but reference and flagship open-backs — the HD800S, HiFiMAN Susvara and similar — need a dedicated headphone amplifier to perform. For those, an amp isn't optional.

Are open-back headphones good for gaming?

Yes — the wide soundstage and accurate positioning of open-back headphones make them excellent for immersive, competitive gaming, which is why many enthusiasts prefer them. Just remember they leak sound and won't isolate you from a noisy room. Our focus is music-first hi-fi listening, but the same qualities that make these great for music carry straight over to gaming.

What are the best open-back headphones for music?

It depends on budget: the Meze 109 Pro is our pick for most people starting out, the Sennheiser HD800S and Focal Clear MG are reference favourites, and the HiFiMAN Susvara and Meze Empyrean II are end-game choices. All are open-back designs built for critical music listening.

Are planar magnetic headphones open-back?

Many are, but not all. Planar magnetic refers to the driver technology, not the earcup design — flagships like the HiFiMAN Susvara and Meze Empyrean II are open-back planars, while some planar models are closed-back. Check the specific model.

Hear open-back headphones in our King City showroom

Open-back headphones are one of the few purchases where a few minutes of listening tells you more than any amount of reading. The advantage of a specialist dealer is simple: you can hear these side by side, on proper amplification, and let your own ears decide. Book a listening session in our King City showroom and we'll set up a shortlist to compare — approachable to flagship — matched to the amp and source that suit them.