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
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
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:

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

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