Low Impedance headphones are the best options new entrants into the audio leisure can start with. You don’t need any DAC/Amp or a headphone amplifier to use most of these models; you can use them directly with your smartphone, personal computer, DAP, or Mac.
Being independent of any source makes headphones with low impedance excellent. However, they are not the best if you want to upgrade your gears and you would like to buy some devices such as the DAC/Amps in the future. This is because low impedance headphones don’t have any real benefits with better sources.
You’ve got to think about your most preferred option between low impedance, high impedance, or something in-between. But note that apart from impedance, there are other uses of a headphone amplifier.
Here are some of the best low impedance headphones, from the cheapest on our list– the Philips SHP 9500 to the most expensive– the Drop Beyerdynamic DT177X Go. In addition to the two extremes, there are other options in the middle from which you’ll find the one that meets your expectations.
Best low impedance headphones in 2021 are:
1. Philips SHP9500
The Philips SHP9500 is one of the most sought-after cheap open-back headphones with low impedance. The high-quality sound is perfect for the price. Despite not being the best of Sennheiser HD600, they are excellent in many ways and are the preferred choice of most headphones’ enthusiasts.
They have great features that are rare in budget headphones, and the most outstanding being the sound quality.
These headphones have amazing clarity and detail retrieval. Apart from being smooth and well-controlled, their high-end eliminates sibilance. While the bass is still existing, it is not as noticeable as that of closed-back headphones. The midrange is quite cessed for these headphones.
Though the Philips SHP9500 has an intimate soundstage, they have excellent imaging. The pair is capable of helping a user to recognize the position of sounds– a feature that makes this model perfect for competitive gaming.
They have a very fascinating sound signature and are designed to satisfy users whose budgets are within this price range.
In conclusion, Philips SHP9500 is the best option you can get among the most affordable low impedance headphones. SHP9500 is very universal as they work well for both gaming and listening. Hence, if you are looking for an affordable open-back pair of headphones, you can check this out.
2. Takstar Pro 82
Takstar Pro 82 is one of the budget-friendly closed-back pairs of headphones that serve as alternatives to open-back ones. If your budget is not up to the prices of Audio Technica M40X and M50X– which are also designed as studio monitors, then you can lay your hands on this pair.
The Pro 82 has a removable cable– a feature that they share with SHP 9500. Such quality is great because the cable is a part of headphones that is easily prone to fault. Besides, you can replace the cable with either a shorter or longer-sized one.
In addition to the above, the Takstar Pro 82 comes with a flight case. This is uncommon even to headphones that are far more expensive. Hence, it is commendable to see such a package that comes with numerous accessories at such a price.
The Takstar Pro 82 has a quality sound that lies on the flat and neutral side. While the sound is similar to that of the M40X, it is more accurate than the equally-priced Audio Technica ATH M30X.
In conclusion, the Takstar Pro 82 are a perfect pair of low impedance headphones for those who are looking for a universal pair of headphones that is suitable for gaming, casual listening, and professional recording.
3. Grado SR80E
SR80E is one of the great headphones from Grado. The unique vintage-inspired attribute is an excellent addition to any headphones’ accessories. As an open back low impedance headphones– like the Philips SHP 9500, the Grado SR80E are suitable for home use. While they don’t have a superb design, the sound quality is great. The unique Grado sound sets them apart from their counterparts in the industry, as they emit vibrant and natural sound.
SR80E falls more in the category of a fun sound signature than the analytical method of their counterparts on this list. SR80E has a tight bass compared to other open-back headphones in the price range. They have clean and clear mids- quality female vocals will find very interesting.
They have a more intimate soundstage that is larger than that of Audio Technica M50X and the Takstar Pro 82.
Though they have an on-ear design, the Grado SR80E is quite comfortable. However, you may encounter a minimal amount of discomfort in your ears after long listening sessions.
All in all, the Grado SR80E are among the best and special sounding pairs that make it to this list. You can get a pair to have a great listening experience.
4. Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 ohm
If you need a closed-back alternative to the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, then Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm is a perfect option. They have a rugged design and a Beyerdynamic V-shape sound signature. They are a classic pair of headphones that have been commonly used in the production industry for several decades.
Their sound is not as accurate as of that of the DT 990 Pro. This is a drawback associated with the closed-back design. Nevertheless, it doesn’t reflect on the quality of the product.
The DT 770 Pro has a better bass production than the DT 990 Pro. Being a closed-back design, the DT 770 Pro can deliver more bass. They also have a clean and clear bass production that does not expand to the mid frequencies. They have an unusually high soundstage, a feature that makes DT 990 Pro a better choice for lacking in. Nevertheless, the DT 770 rank higher than ATH M40X, ATH M50X, and most closed-back headphones in their price range.
All in all, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is a nice pair of closed-back low impedance headphones. They combine both sound and build quality, thereby making them hard to beat.
5. Drop Beyerdynamic 177X GO
The Drop Beyerdynamic 177X Go is the high-end pair of headphones on this list. This model is the outcome of the collaboration between Drop and Beyerdynamic, primarily to introduce an enhanced version of the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro. This model is for lovers of both Beyerdynamic sound signature and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro.
Unlike the original model, this one can’t scale to more powerful amplifiers. However, in our opinion, this is a commendable tradeoff; mainly because the DT 177X Go is compatible with less powerful devices like smartphones and game consoles.
It is interesting to note that the DT 177X has a better sound, more refined bass, and even a better soundstage than what the DT 770 Pro has. Though they are not as perfect as the DT1990 Pro, the DT 177X performs better than more expensive closed-back headphones. The highs are stable and properly controlled, so they don’t lose any important detail.
In conclusion, the Drop DT 177X is a pair that will give you value for money. Their many qualities qualify them for our recommendation as one of the best closed-back low impedance headphones available on the market.