For gaming, HIFIMAN is my pick among open back headphones for gaming, thanks to its wide soundstage and replaceable cable.
Sonova’s Sennheiser HD 660S2 is the runner-up; choose it for the included 3.5 mm adapter and deep-bass design.
open back headphones for gaming at a Glance
• Sonova Sennheiser HD 660S2 — best for a wired PC or listening setup with multiple connector options; pick this if you want both 6.3 mm and 4.4 mm cables plus a 3.5 mm adapter.
• AKG Pro Audio K612 — best for long sessions focused on natural sound imaging; pick this if you want open-back studio-style headphones with a 3-metre cable.
• Sennheiser HD 800 — best for a highly spatial listening setup; pick this if you want angled 56 mm ring radiator drivers and both single-ended and balanced cables.
The Edition XS is an over-ear, open-back planar magnetic headphone with an 18-ohm impedance and a 3.5 mm wired connection. For gaming, its stated wide, natural soundstage is the central attraction: it may suit players who value a sense of space in game audio, whether they are exploring a large environment or following sounds across a scene. That is a design-based reason to consider it, not a promise that it will make every game easier to play.
HIFIMAN pairs its Stealth Magnet design with a thin NEO supernano diaphragm. The company describes those parts as supporting low-distortion output, quick response and detailed imaging. In everyday terms, that makes the Edition XS an interesting pick for someone who wants to listen closely to game audio and also use the same headphones for music. Its listed frequency response is 8 Hz to 50 kHz, and its sensitivity is 92 dB.
The practical details are appealing for a desk setup. The cable is replaceable, and the headphones use 3.5 mm sockets. That gives the cable a straightforward connection format and means it is not permanently fixed to the headset. The adjustable headband has memory foam, while the listed weight is 405 grams. Fit and comfort are personal, but those details are worth weighing if you expect to wear headphones through long play sessions.
The trade-off is that this is a wired, open-back headphone rather than a gaming headset with built-in wireless features. The data does not specify a microphone, so it should not be treated as an all-in-one solution for team chat. Open-back construction also makes it a poor match for a noisy shared room or anyone who needs sound contained. In my opinion, the Edition XS is the strongest overall fit here if spacious audio and a replaceable cable matter more than wireless convenience or an integrated mic.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-10 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
The HD 660S2 is a wired, open-back, over-ear headphone with 42 mm dynamic drivers. Its listed frequency response is 8 Hz to 41.5 kHz, and its design is described as having deep bass extension. That combination makes it a sensible alternative for players who want open-back listening but prefer a model explicitly positioned around bass depth as well as detail.
One notable strength is the included connection kit. The box lists a 6.3 mm cable, a 4.4 mm cable and a 6.3 mm-to-3.5 mm adapter. The adapter is useful to note if your intended source has a 3.5 mm headphone jack; the 4.4 mm option may suit compatible equipment. Check the connections on your own device before choosing, since the headphones are wired and the supplied plugs are not interchangeable with every gaming setup without the appropriate connection.
The HD 660S2 has a listed impedance of 300 ohms. That is a key specification for a buyer to consider alongside the output they plan to use. If you are plugging directly into a controller, laptop or motherboard, the product information does not establish how loud or suitable it will be with that particular source. The safe approach is to verify compatibility rather than assume every device will drive it equally well.
Its main limitation for gaming is the absence of a stated microphone or wireless connection. It is a listening headphone, not a complete voice-chat headset. The high impedance and multiple cable formats also make it less plug-and-play than a low-impedance 3.5 mm option for some setups. I would pick it over the HIFIMAN if its included adapter and bass-oriented description better fit your listening preferences and equipment.
The AKG K612 PRO is an open-back, over-ear wired headphone designed for reference listening, monitoring and recording. Its stated purpose is especially relevant to players who want natural sound imaging rather than a closed, isolated presentation. The product describes its open construction as producing a spacious soundstage, and its Varimotion diaphragm is intended to support detailed, natural imaging.
Its published frequency range is 12 Hz to 39.5 kHz, with 120-ohm impedance and 101 dB SPL/V sensitivity. Those figures help characterize the headphone, but they do not guarantee a particular gaming experience or tell you exactly how it will perform with your controller or computer. As with any wired model, confirm that your source and connector are a practical match before buying.
The K612 comes with a 3-metre cable and a 3.5 mm plug with a screw-on 6.3 mm adapter. That longer cable can be useful at a desk where the audio source is not right beside you, though it may leave extra slack in a compact setup. The design also features large velour ear pads and a self-adjusting leather headband. Those are relevant comfort details for extended listening, although fit remains individual.
Sennheiser HD 800
The HD 800 is an open-back, around-ear reference headphone built around 56 mm ring radiator transducers. Its angled ear-cup design directs sound toward the ears, and the product describes that geometry as part of a spatial, natural listening presentation. For gaming, that makes it the most specialized choice in this group for someone prioritizing a broad sense of acoustic space.
Sennheiser also describes absorber technology intended to reduce unwanted frequency-response peaks. The listed frequency range is 4 Hz to 51 kHz, with 300-ohm impedance and 103 dB sensitivity. Those specifications describe the headphone; they do not by themselves guarantee stronger positional awareness or a better result in every game. Think of it as a reference-style listening option, not a gaming feature set.
Two cables are listed: a single-ended 1/4-inch cable and a balanced 4.4 mm cable. That gives the buyer options across compatible audio equipment, but it does not make the headphone wireless. Its 300-ohm impedance is another reason to check the output device or audio equipment before settling on it. The product information does not specify a microphone, so players who need clear team communication will need to plan for a separate mic.
The main trade-off is how specialized the setup is. The HD 800’s open-back design will not keep sound to itself, and its wired connections and high impedance may not suit a casual controller-first arrangement. In my opinion, it makes sense for a listener who wants this spatial reference design for gaming and other listening, and who already has compatible equipment. For a simpler general-purpose gaming pick, I would choose the HIFIMAN instead.
I compared the published specifications and features relevant to gaming, including open-back design, driver type, impedance, connection options and stated soundstage or imaging characteristics.
The order reflects my independent editorial opinion about fit for different setups and priorities. No brand paid for placement.
They can suit players who want an open, spacious presentation, but they do not isolate sound like a closed design. Sound may also be audible to people nearby, so they are less suited to noisy rooms or shared spaces.
The listed product details do not specify a built-in microphone for these models. Plan on a separate microphone or another chat solution if you need voice communication while playing.
No wireless connection is listed for these four models; each is described as wired. If you specifically need a wireless headphone for gaming, these are not the right category of pick.
That depends on what you want from your setup. These are over-ear open-back headphones, and the HD 660S2 is specifically described as having deep bass extension; none of these product details establish how they compare with extra bass earphones or the best crystal clear calls wireless headphones for gaming.
For gaming, I recommend the HIFIMAN Edition XS if your priority is open-back listening with a wide stated soundstage and a replaceable cable. Choose the HD 660S2 instead if its bass-focused design and included adapter better match your wired equipment.
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