OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Audeze El 8 Open Back Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£730Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Audeze El 8 Open Back Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Audeze El 8 Open Back
5.4/10

Overall score

Score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components

80%

5.2

Technical score

20%

6.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 89% of headphones
5.8

Value for money

Value for money
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

6.7

Price

â–¼Worse than 96%
5.2

Technical score

Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

5.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.5

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 88%
6.3

User score

User score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

2.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 95%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Audeze El 8 Open Back

Technical score
Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components:

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

5.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.5

Calls & Controls

5.2
User score
User score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

2.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.3
Popularity
Popularity
2.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Popularity:
Audeze El 8 Open Back has a popularity score of 2.4 points, which is lower than that of 71.3% of products in this category.
2.4
Value for money
Value for money
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components:

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

6.7

Price

5.8
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
planar
Driver size
100 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 100 mm, larger driver size than 98.7% of headphones and equal to 0.4% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
10 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.2% of headphones and equal to 12.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Audeze
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
460 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 460 g, heavier than 97.8% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Audeze El 8 Open Back vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 60 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (100 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    100 mm vs 40 mm
  • 30,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (50,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    50,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 10 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    70 mm vs 60 mm
  • 30x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (3,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    3,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 10 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    70 mm vs 60 mm
  • 0.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 60 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (100 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    100 mm vs 40 mm
  • 30,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (50,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    50,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 30x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (3,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    3,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 20 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (130 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    130 dB vs 110 dB
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 2.11x higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (460 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    460 g vs 218 g
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 34 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (10 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    10 mm vs 44 mm
  • 8.11x more expensive
    Audeze El 8 Open Back is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£730 vs £90).
    £730 vs £90
  • 25.5% worse value for money
    Audeze El 8 Open Back has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.79 vs 7.3).
    5.79 vs 7.27
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 26.5% lower user score
    User score
    6.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Audeze El 8 Open Back
    the average pair of headphones
    Audeze El 8 Open Back has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.33 vs 8).
    6.33 vs 8
  • 8.11x more expensive
    Audeze El 8 Open Back is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£730 vs £90).
    £730 vs £90
  • 25.5% worse value for money
    Audeze El 8 Open Back has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.79 vs 7.3).
    5.79 vs 7.27
  • 26.5% lower user score
    User score
    6.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Audeze El 8 Open Back
    the average pair of headphones
    Audeze El 8 Open Back has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.33 vs 8).
    6.33 vs 8
  • 2.43x less popular
    Audeze El 8 Open Back is less popular than the average pair of headphones (2.42 vs 5.9).
    2.42 vs 5.87
  • 2.11x higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (460 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    460 g vs 218 g
  • 34 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (10 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    10 mm vs 44 mm
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.5
Joshua Valour
✓ explicit
18/07/2018
Hands-on review · build, sound and imaging
Verdict
Audeze EL-8 Open Back has a very good build and sound and is worth its price, though the highs sound a little subdued.
5.0
aornic
≈ estimated
23/05/2017
Hands-on review · comfort, sound and comparison
Verdict
Audeze EL-8 Open Back is hard to recommend, since its soft, muted sound trails the LCD2 for most buyers.
9.5
Damir Franc
≈ estimated
17/11/2017
Hands-on review · comfort, sound and build
Verdict
Audeze EL-8 Open Back ranks among the best headphones reviewed, and is worth it for its premium build and comfort.
8.0
Worthen Bros
≈ estimated
13/09/2016
Hands-on review · sound, build and amp tests
Verdict
Audeze EL-8 Open Back is a good deal for buyers who pair it with a DAC and amp, but not suited to everyone.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Overview video

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Audeze El 8 Open Back

  • Premium build quality and elegant industrial design (by BMW Designworks)
  • Extraordinary comfort for long sessions due to plush earpads
  • Tight, fast, and well-extended planar magnetic bass without bloat
  • Wide, airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation
  • Smooth and non-fatiguing treble that avoids sibilance
  • Can be driven by mobile devices, though they benefit significantly from amping

What customers don't like about Audeze El 8 Open Back

  • Heavy physical weight (460g) can lead to neck fatigue for some
  • Noticeable treble dip (around 6-8kHz) can make the sound feel 'veiled' or 'dull'
  • Proprietary 'Zync' cable connectors are stiff and difficult to replace
  • Does not include a hard carrying case despite its premium price point
  • Open-back design leaks significant sound and provides no isolation
  • Stiff headband adjustment mechanism can be cumbersome

Verdict

The Audeze EL-8 Open-Back is a premium planar magnetic headphone featuring massive 100mm drivers, Neodymium N50 Fluxor magnets, and Fazor phase management technology. It boasts a wide frequency response of 10Hz to 50kHz, a low impedance of 30 ohms that makes it surprisingly easy to drive with portable devices, and a sensitivity of 102 dB. Designed by BMW's DesignworksUSA, the aluminum frame incorporates wood veneer accents and premium faux leather for a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. Main characteristics include a balanced, smooth, and non-fatiguing sound signature with excellent instrument separation and a natural, accurate midrange. Pros include extraordinary long-term comfort, high-resolution clarity, and a lightweight design (460g) relative to other planar models. Notable cons include its reliance on proprietary cable connectors, lack of a protective hard-shell case, and a bass response that some users find too light or lacking in sub-bass impact for electronic genres.

Compare Audeze El 8 Open Back with other products in the Headphones category

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