Superlux HD-681 B

I own a Beyerdynamic DT-880 (250 Ohm) and orded this one for a member of my family.
For this low-price it's pretty amazing how this headphone performs. The sound of the "B" version of the HD-681 offers an almost balanced sound. I liked it way more than the "EVO" version, it's more comparable to the DT-880 I own.

The comfort is quite okay for a short amount of time, but it would get annoying after more than 1 hour (because of the plastic feel of the ear pads and warm ears). To improve this, I'd recommend to buy different earpads, e.g. the AKG K240/241/270/271 or SHURE SRH 940 velour ear pads.

The quality is "okay" for that price, the headphones look cheap but they will do their job at home.

All in all I'd recommened these one over any <100¤ headphone I know.

Being a living room hobbyist guitar player for a long time, it was about a while to consider headphones purchase for my guitar playing and PC DAW recording needs, since the family started to complain about distorted guitar sounds, interrupting their TV watching entertainment. Not sure about what to choose in the times of DJ music reign, I aimed at the low end of studio headphones, just for a try for a buck. First search engine hit, Superlux HD-681 B headphones, in picture at Thomman's looked a bit too small for the real studio heaphones and to tell the truth, rather smally for any adult's head, but hey, a bargain at less than 20 euros and declared 10-30.000 Hz frequencies was just too good to miss! Just a few days later, a courier brought in the package with my new audio toy, only then I noticed it already has a 3,5 mm stereo jack to 6,3 mm jack adaptor included, both gold-alike plated. Headphones, despite my past scepticism, sit extremely well on the head and ears, producing clear and somewhat unpersonalized sound, which is good for guitar playing and recording since I'm willing to shape the sound at the effect pedal or PC effect simulation end and not at the headphones end, which would be unacceptable additional layer for DAW needs. 2.5 m of cable and I sit on a couch rehearshing or recording at my PC DAW. Conclusion - the headphones bang for a buck, even if they look somewhat disposable at their make, but I would buy these again, should they somehow end up broken from abuse in two years or so. In fact, I'm even willing to buy more of these headphones for a gift to fellow home-studio hobbyists.

They aren't called HD681b for nothing, with the 'b' standing for balanced. If you don't like the HD681 type of sound with its big bass and strong top end, this headphone addresses that big bass.

Many headphones are made with a 'hump' in the mid bass area which gives them a fullness that many like. However, headphone purists tend to like a flatter response and the HD681b addresses this. It has less bass than the standard HD681 which gives it better clarity. Perhaps if you listen to acoustic and classical music more than rock based music, then the 'b' version may well suit you better.

With less at the bottom end, the mids become perhaps a little more focused and the headphone seems less 'coloured'. However, if you like a strong, healthy bass, you may not like the sound of the 'b' version.

In all honesty, these Superlux headphones are at such a good price, I ended up buying both and switch between them, depending on what I am listening to.

Just like the standard HD681, they are a bargain for the sound that you get,

Very good headphones for a very low price! These headphones are very comfortable to wear for multiple hours and the sound is nice. I use these headphones mostly when I play bass through USB-audiointerfaces (and in my opinion they work very well for that purpose). In addition, these headphones were considerably better than my 80? Shure -headphones (which seem to have poorer sound quality and start to hurt ears after using them for more than an hour).

The first pair I bought lasted for almost two years after which the cable started to have some issues (I probably rolled over it with my chair for a million times). My second pair has lasted that long already since I've been a little more careful with their handling. Next time I will probably buy the version with the switchable cable (HD-681 Evo).