Sep 7, 2026, 10:52 AMIn September 2009 I bought some Sennheiser HD280pro headphones. 17 years and two pad replacements later, the right channel has finally stopped working. I'll try to fix it but the internet suggests they are tricky to repair.
Any recommendations for good *open-back* headphones that aren't ruinously expensive?
Sep 7, 2026, 10:52 AM(HD280pro are closed-back but for Reasons I find the isolation unpleasant now, so it feels like a good opportunity to try open-back.)
Sep 7, 2026, 12:44 PM@wjt I use the beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO at my desk and I really like it: https://global.beyerdynamic.com/p/dt-990-pro
I don't remember how long I've had them at this point but I never had to replace anything.
Sep 7, 2026, 1:02 PM@siosm Always love a good reminder of Britain's self-inflicted economic isolation.
Sep 7, 2026, 4:28 PM@wjt Ah yes 😅. I think I bought mine via a reseller anyway 🙂.
Sep 15, 2026, 9:19 AM@siosm I bought these. They're really comfortable, sound good, the open-back lack of isolation is better than the world being muffled by closed-back, yet at a perfectly audible volume they hardly leak out to the surrounding room at all. Great recommendation, thanks!
Sep 15, 2026, 9:19 AM@siosm My only complaint is that the cable is way too long for my desk. Nothing that a cable tie can't fix!
Sep 15, 2026, 12:52 PM@wjt Glad it worked out well!