Bluetooth Open-Back Headphones

This is an uncommon use case, since most people using Bluetooth headphones don’t want the audio leakage of an open back headphone, and most people using open back headphones want the audio quality of a wired connection (Wireless tech can degrade audio quality, though many – most? – listeners won’t notice). But. For those looking for an open back Bluetooth headphone solution (like I do, on the balcony, when I’m hanging out with my dogs and want to be aware of what’s going on in the world around us), I’ve gathered the following...

Grado GW100 Wireless Open Back Headphones

Headphones

There are a few options that incorporate a “native” Bluetooth option:

• Grado GW100 v2 (though these are apparently designed to leak 60% less noise than the wired version, so if you’re trying to keep situational awareness, might not be ideal; the microphone is also apparently not amazing)
  
• HIFIMAN Deva (older Bluetooth dongle, and like the Deva Pro below, the microphone is suspect)
  
• HIFIMAN Deva-Pro (purportedly an incredible sounding headset; comes with the updated Bluemini R2R Bluetooth dongle, which includes a microphone, albeit reportedly not the best microphone)
• HIFIMAN Ananda-BT (spendy, older tech than the Deva models, no info on the quality of the microphone)
  

Qudelix 5K Bluetooth Transceiver DAC AMP

Bluetooth Receivers & Transceivers

Alternately, you can adapt your existing headset (like the Philips SHP9600MB I’m using) by plugging it into a Bluetooth receiver or transceiver, like one of these:

• EarStudio ES100 (listening (headphones) only, microphone / playback controls aren’t supported)
• Qudelix 5K (has a built in microphone and can also pass through the headset mic if equipped)
• FiiO BTR5 (likewise has a built-in microphone and also allows that to be bypassed in favor of the headset’s mic)
• APEKX Clip Bluetooth Audio Adapter (or a dozen other “brands” selling identical ~$15 devices; internal microphone only)
  

More as I research this further. Would really like to have a solution for the Balcony “iMac” that doesn’t involve a cord...

Wireless Adapters

July 2024, I came across a category of devices similar to the portable receivers I discussed above, but using essentially no wires whatsoever. These include:

• Shure True Wireless Adapter (Gen 2) ($190, in stock) (MMCX only I think?)
  
• iFi Audio GO Pod ($400) (both MMCX and 2-pin)
• FiiO UTWS5 ($140 MSRP but nigh impossible to find new in stock anymore; they're out of production currently ("we couldn't solve the corrosion problem with the ear hook charging contacts"), with a 2024 version expected "in the summer") (note, there are two different versions, 2-pin or MMCX)
  

These plus the appropriate adapters (e.g., MMCX to HD650, for Sennheiser HD58X Jubilee / HD 600 / HD 660S2 headphones (faster shipping Amazon alternative); MMCX to 3.5 mm (faster shipping Amazon alternative) for, e.g., HiFiMan HE400se / Meze 99 Classics) and almost any headphones with separate side inputs can be made wireless.