Criteria: Over-Ear + Semi-Open
Price range: 20 € - 50 € Explanation: I keep my experience report as simple as possible during the shootout. For the most part, headphones in a similar price range and with comparable technical characteristics are compared. The price does not play a role in the evaluation. The rating is also dynamic, depending on the current listening experience. The weighting of sound and handling is 2:1.
HD681 EVO HD668 B HD672
Sound 7.5 7.7 7.5
Bass 8 8 8
Mids 7.5 7.5 7.5
Trebles 7.5 8 7.5 Imaging 7.5 7.5 7.5
Stage 7 7.5 7
Handling 7 6 5.5
Processing 7 7 6
Comfort 7 5 5
Total 7.3 7.1 6.8
Price 29 € 29 € 24 €
Comparison:
Individual reviews below
It is not easy for me to name a clear favorite.
Everyone has his individual weaknesses and therefore can't completely convince me. That's of course also because they have different applications and signatures, at least when it comes to SUPERLUX.
Handling I have to say that SUPERLUX is not very good at ergonomics. This is a great pity and a real point, because the sound quality is sometimes really impressive at the prices quoted. But that doesn't help me if I can't have the headphones on my head for 10 minutes or have to put up with pain. Here, the winner's medal definitely goes to the HD681 EVO, even if its wearing comfort still has some room for improvement, but at least I don't have any ear or headaches with it, but still an unpleasant pressure on the ear in the long run, which is still tolerable. The additional velour pads, which provide relief and minimize sweating, are convincing. Sound
One thing can be said and I see this as very positive. All presented over-ears have their own signature. The HD681 EVO serves the bass fetishists, but is a very good allrounder and doesn't disadvantage the mid and high frequencies too much. But I really see only the listening to music as an area of application for it. For more professional applications, it simply lacks the accuracy and level in the mid and treble range. Nevertheless, it has an audiophile claim to sound, which is not particularly pronounced.
In contrast to the EVO, the HD668 B is delicately trimmed and focuses more on balance. It is a bit too thin in the midrange, but more defined than the HD681 EVO. For me it has the most appealing sound, although I also appreciate the direct and lively nature of the HD672. However, it is a bit too demanding for me in the long run and I get along better with the high frequency of the HD668 B.
But when it comes to mixing or monitoring, the HD672 is probably ahead of the rest, since it misses less due to its direct and lively nature. The HD668 B and the HD681 EVO are more subtle.
Conclusion Basically, the HD681 EVO is for me the musical, bass-driven all-rounder, the HD668 B the sensitive and audiophile connoisseur and the HD672 the lively and exploring bachelor, which can also serve as a tool for producers and musicians with a smaller purse and a certain tolerance.
However, there is some comfort to be tinkered with, be it new ear pads or head padding, especially for the HD668 B or HD67
HD681 EVO
50 mm driver, sensitivity: 98 dB, resistance: 32 Ohm, frequency response: 10 - 30000 Hz
The HD681 EVO is the evolution of the HD681 price/performance benchmark. It's tuned quite bass accentuated, but doesn't neglect the mids and highs. A good overall package that is fun to use, but doesn't set any standards in terms of sound quality.
A musical all-rounder that lacks a bit of clarity and precision.
Handling
The HD681 is completely made of plastic. There was definitely a saving in the choice of materials, but it makes a very robust impression and even looks quite massive, as long as you don't hold it in your hands. A clear advantage is the detachable cable, but the connection was moved outside, which can cause more wear and tear.
It comes with 2 cables to 3.5mm jack (1m & 3m), an adapter to 6.3mm and a carrying bag.
We also have a choice between the standard pads, which are comfortable but make you sweat quickly, and velour pads for extra comfort.
The comfort is manageable. The headband is a bit cumbersome and too tight. The contact pressure of the earphones is also quite high. There are certainly more comfortable alternatives, but you get used to the continuous pressure if you have to.
Sound
Bass is the main focus of the HD681 EVO. It's quite physical and can make a fire under your ass. But it stays surprisingly clean and doesn't overshadow the other frequency ranges too much. It's still a bit bloated and could be a bit more controlled and firm, but it's still fun and gives a pleasant warmth.
In the midrange it is a little more reserved. The mids clear up to the top and are full bodied. Vocals come out well, but could be a bit more present. The HD681 EVO moves in a quite strong V-signature and you can hear that.
There are no major blunders in the high frequencies. It has enough level so that the HD681 EVO doesn't drift into the dark and provides enough information, but is no detail monster. Sibilants, or unpleasant peaks are not to be detected, but in rare cases it can become a bit unclean.
Due to the bassimpact the EVO has a quite deep stage, which also has a clean panorama image, but the instrument separation could be more precise and in general clarity and transparency suffer.
HD668 B
50 mm driver, sensitivity: 98 dB, resistance: 56 Ohm, frequency response: 10 - 30000 Hz
The HD668 B is a studio earphone at a bargain price. It finds a good balance over the entire bandwidth, but could be a bit more relaxed in the high frequencies. Nevertheless, the slight push in the trebles provides a clearer and more open sound image, but the HD668 B can be a bit demanding.
Handling
The HD668 B is similarly robustly built as the HD681 EVO and is also completely made of plastic, except for the headband, which is made of metal. Due to the bracing on the ear cups and the leather headband replaced with individual brackets (left/right), the HD668 B looks quite filigree and is also very light with just over 220 grams.
All the more incomprehensible is this headrest. The fact that the pressure is now applied to the head very selectively, instead of being distributed over a continuous band, quickly causes headaches, at least if you are not allowed to call a full head of hair your own, or wear a woolly hat without interruption. For me, after a maximum of one hour, the fun is over, even if the ear pads are okay in themselves, but also a bit hard.
Included in delivery are two cables (1m & 3m) to 3.5mm jack, as well as an adapter to 6.5mm, and a carrying bag.
Sound
The HD 668 B focuses on a balanced sound, which is particularly noticeable in the bass and mid-range. The bass is not in focus, but has enough punch and firmness to satisfy even bass hungry tracks. It has a supporting function and does full justice to this. In addition, it is always controlled and clean and offers a solid, detailed and musical foundation.
The mids take themselves less important than they could. Although the bass gives them room, they are a bit too subtle for me. The separation works perfectly, but especially when it comes to mixing or mastering, they may not have enough presence to reveal everything. I find the mids very pleasant and authentic, but I would like to see a bit more healthy aggressiveness.
The high frequencies are sometimes a bit too much emphasized, which makes them more susceptible to sibilants and the odd unpleasant peak, but they are also very airy and detailed. They are not razor sharp, but they do reveal a lot of details and present them without excessive hardness. Rarely a bit demanding, but in "professional" use this is sometimes necessary and absolutely tolerable for me!
The stage appears wide with a small hole in the middle, through the somewhat shy mids. Nevertheless, it offers a lot of space for an accurate sound arrangement and especially in the 3D representation the HD668 B has its strengths.
HD672
50 mm driver, sensitivity: 95 dB, resistance: 32 Ohm, frequency response: 20 - 20000 Hz
The HD672 is also a damn cheap over-ear from SUPERLUX. It focuses on a distinct midrange with balanced bass and emphasized treble. If you like it energetic and lively, the HD672 will certainly do something for you.
Handling
The HD672 is lightweight and not particularly elaborate. Keep it simple is probably the approach here. The headband is quite flexible and does not exert much pressure on the head, which I find pleasant. However, I have a completely different problem with the HD672. I'm less bothered by the rubber padding on the ear cups, which is actually quite comfortable, although a bit sweaty. However, these do not stick out far enough to keep my ear away from the earphone. So it bumps into the plastic and that becomes very unpleasant in the long run. So it's also nothing for a long music session, at least for me.
The cable is fixed, one-sided and misses 2,5m which is quite long. An adapter to 6.3mm and a bag is included in the purchase.
Sound
The bass is quite neutral, with a slight, welcome push. It has a good depth and is tight and fast. At the same time it has a dry punch and an entertaining detail reproduction. Not too dominant, but not shy with a slight physique, but somehow I miss the dynamics a bit.
The HD672 concentrates more on the mids and highs. The midrange can sometimes be a bit demanding, especially when it comes to vocals. Here, we're slightly on the borderline of shrillness, but still within limits. We are rewarded for this with liveliness, clarity and energy. But it might be a bit more relaxed, especially on longer listening periods.
This also applies to the highs. The HD672 is a bit brightly tuned and can also get a bit sharp. In return, the HD672 has a good level stability in the high frequencies and also reveals finer details. The treble sounds very lively and brings good mood, if you are not too sensitive.
Due to the midrange emphasis we have voices that come more to the fore, which of course also affects the 3D perception and stage extension. Everything seems a bit closer, more tangible and direct. I like it a lot, because the HD672 is also very pleasing in width. In addition there is a clean instrument separation and strong stereo image. In the depth, however, there is still air to the top.
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