The Superlux HD-681 is a pair of semi-open headphones with an impressive price-performance ratio. Despite their highly affordable purchase price, these headphones deliver a pleasing sound with a balanced bass response, a detailed midrange, and plenty of presence in the treble frequencies. The stereo image generated by these headphones is also impressively wide, which is mainly thanks to the semi-open construction, and individual instruments can also be effortlessly located in the stereo field, which makes the HD-681 ideal for beginners. The scope of delivery also includes a 3.5mm to 6.35mm stereo jack adapter and a carrying pouch.
Contrary to what many users might understandably expect from headphones in this price category, the Superlux HD-681 does not display any noticeable lack of presence in the bass and mid frequencies. The headphones' treble response can at times be somewhat over-emphasised, however, which can lead to premature ear fatigue (this can of course be compensated with sufficient breaks). What is more, these headphones' impedance of 32 ohms means that they can deliver a respectable level of volume when paired with mobile devices, making the HD-681 ideal for both studio work and listening to music for pleasure.
The Superlux HD-681 features circumaural ear cushions which, although they cannot be rotated or tilted, provide a very comfortable fit. The headband is also self-adjusting and features a metal bracket to keep it in place, which together with the headphones' weight of just 230 grams ensures a high level of comfort even during extended sessions. The fixed ear cushions also mean that the HD-681 is not foldable, but users who can forego this luxury during transport will find these headphones to be an affordable solution that is great for both professional applications and listening to music in their free time.
Anyone looking for microphones and headphones with an excellent price-performance ratio will certainly find what they are looking for from Superlux. The company employs experienced specialists and produces its articles at various locations in its own factories in China and Taiwan, where the products are developed, tested, and manufactured under one roof. Everything can therefore be manufactured on site, from the raw material to the finished device, which has a positive effect on the selling price. The products are often praised in test reports for their sound and manufacturing quality. With Superlux products, private users can achieve solid recording and mixing results even without a large budget.
It should be mentioned that the Superlux HD-681 headphones only deliver a small amount of sound isolation in each direction, which means that they are not the optimum choice for FOH applications. Those who choose these headphones for recording purposes should also take extra care to ensure that no crosstalk takes place between the headphones and the microphone. Nevertheless, the HD-681 is a good choice for monitoring recordings in the studio, which is where these headphones' excellent price-performance ratio really starts to pay off, since the balanced bass response, detail-rich midrange, and ample high-end presence enable a reliable analysis to be made and ensure an enjoyable listening experience.