Affordable headphones can sound expensive
Headphones are very personal. Whether you choose a pair because of their looks, their performance or their cost it’s something that you have to decide for yourself.
That’s why there are so many different designs – ranging from the crappy-sounding, free, white ear buds that come with iPods to the super-duper deluxe Stax electrostatic headphones which, with separate, special tube amplifiers can run upwards of $10,000!
Knowing that, imagine my surprise when I came across a number of online blogs and British forum users writing about some “amazing headphones” being produced in China.
They’re made by a company called Superlux and they’re designated Model HD681. That bears a strange numerical resemblance to a bunch of very famous, top-of-the-line designs from industry leader Sennheiser.
But there is a huge difference between Sennheisers and Superluxes: the Sennheisers in question retail for a few hundred dollars. Over-excited Superlux owners were boasting that they were buying their HD681s for the equivalent of $25 U.S.
I read all I could. It seems that these super-inexpensive headphones were all the rage on the Net. And why not? Less than $30 or so delivered in England – and according to the rabid users they sounded really good. Even better when some minor surgery was performed (swapping out wires for better quality stuff, changing the red plastic trim to black plastic trim, etc.)
I did some more checking and found that Superlux was producing an entire line of affordable headphones (in addition to large number of microphones and speakers) and had a U.S. Distributor: the Avlex Corporation. Some email and phone calls later I had two pair of try – the HD681 and a slightly more expensive model the HD668B (I know – it has a lower model number but it really does cost more).
I’ve been autioning these headphones for months now – allowing them to break-in and sound their best. Even though sound memories are fleeting – I can say for sure that these headphones do sound different/better now (according to my copious listening notes) than they did when they first arrived.
The 681s are a good-sounding set of ‘phones. Don’t be fooled by the cheap-looking plastic and cardboard outer packaging. They are real headphones with an 8-foot cord (coming from the left side) ending in a miniature jack. There’s also an adapter for 1/4-inch jacks and a nice pouch to carry everything (except for that packaging).
Sound-wise they are much better than the free things you get with an iPod but not as good as the multi-buck Stax. Or the Sennheisers. They are pretty clear and musical. Good bass. Perfect for listening to low bit-rate (128K), compressed music files. They are also very, very comfortable to wear for long listening sessions.
The HD668Bs are noticeably more refined. They are slightly lighter in weight, come with both a 3-foot and also a 10-foot cord and are packaged more like a high-quality hi-fi product. Oh, and they also sound great.
That refinement means the solid bass of the 681s is still present (maybe even a touch more so) and it is matched with a flatter midrange and extended treble. Higher resolution files – as well as vinyl, CDs and (yes) good FM are a joy. In short, the 668B’s sound like a much more expensive set of headphones.
The only caveat I can pass along is that the 668Bs are a tight fit for me. Big head jokes aside, these really are slightly too small for me and might be for you too. They still sound great though.
Notice I’ve left the prices for last. That’s because in the months since Superlux’s stealth introduction in Europe people have discovered the quality and prices have begun to rise accordingly The U.S.. distributor has done a good job keeping these as very affordable products.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the HD681 is $49.95. The HD668B lists for $59.95. Both are recommended.
The Avlex Website mentions a number of other Superlux models – the HD660, HD 440 and HD330 Professional headphones. They could all be winners too.