SuperluxHD668B Dynamic Semi-Open Headphones

The headphone/earphone competition today is fierce. The quest to offer better sound quality has been heating up since the introduction of the iPod and subsequent DAPs (digital audio players). Back then, the "pay more money for more performance" was the mindset. $20 headphones sounded like $20 headphones. $200 headphones put $20 headphones to shame, $500 headphones were better than $200 headphones and so on.The educated consumer knows that those days, for the most part, are behind us. It isn't that a $30 headphone can run all over a $200 headphone. No! However, the landscape and the game has changed considerably over the years. The competition is so stiff that you no longer have to pay lofty prices to get RELATIVELY comparable sound.The consumer that does his/her due diligence will discover that OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) release headphones that are near identical to the big brand names but only have a slight variation in sound signature. A good example of this, seven or eight years ago would have been the Sennheiser CX300 ($40 big brand) versus the Creative EP-630 ($20 bargain brand).Today you might look at the AKG 240. Over the years, prices for the AKG 240 have gone from approximately $150 to $60+/- due to competition from the Superlux 668B ($38) and/or Samson SR850 ($50). The AKGs are in a completely different price bracket now because the Superlux and Samson are comparable at their respective price points. Question: Can a $60 headphone sound as good as a $150 headphone. Apparently, yes, because it is in fact the same headphone (AKG @ $150 = AKG @ $60). The difference isn't the sound quality, but rather the price point.This begs the age old question when it comes to audio equipment. Is the difference in price an exercise in futility due to the law of diminishing returns? In the larger scheme, no, but as the landscape changes, sometimes the answer is a resounding yes. I can list half a dozen sub-$200 headphones that will run roughshod over some very popular $400 - $500 headphones. The SoundMAGIC HP150 come to mind.What about the sub-$100 market? The Philips SHP9500 come to mind. They easily hold their own when compared to some very popular $300 - $400 headphones. Implementation and tuning is the name of the game and some of the well known brands fail to impress and their lofty prices are not justified. The uneducated consumer is simply overpaying for a recognizable brand. That can't go on for much longer. Indeed, the sound quality gap among mid-fi headphones has narrowed considerably and pricepoint may not be the reliable litmus test that it once was for the simple.What about the sub-$50 headphone market? Is there any reason to venture where only the entry-level sub-par headphones or the basic "two cans with a wire" usually reside? Is there anything remotely redeemable at this price point?clouds open and angels do somersaults....It's the Superlux 668B.back to reality....I bought these six months ago and have given them time to break in. What a great set of headphones these are. I can't say at any price point because these are made mostly of plastic and the earpads are entry-level. However, the combination of highly detailed, accurate sound and detachable cables for $38 make these a rare treat. How is it that $38 can gain you an above average set of studio monitors? Yes, studio monitors so you can hear the tiniest detail across the entire frequency range when doing a final mixdown. I think the lower mids are ever so slightly recessed in order to avoid bass bleed into the mid frequencies, but the lower-mid slight recess is barely noticeable. The lower-mids is where the warmth of a vocalists voice is, but again, it's barely noticeable. In general, you will hear everything the way the recording engineers intended for you to hear it. That is typical of studio monitors. These are phenomenal for $38, because you will hear everything.I should note that these go to the Nth degree to capture the details in the treble so if you have an aversion to treble you can always use your EQ to roll it off. These are all about the details. Treble extension is about as far as you can take it without being sibilant.I highly recommend these as studio monitors and if you enjoy a neutral sound signature these may work well as your go-to headphones.The detachable cable is such a nice touch on these because you can always replace the cable with a standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable of any length if it fails. You actually get two detachable cables. There is a 3ft 3in cable for mobile use and a 9ft 10in cable for home use. If you are like me and need more than ten feet you can simply combine the two cables for a total of more than twelve feet. That's great because I didn't have to purchase an extra cable to meet my needs.When I purchased these 668b headphones I purchased a set of velour earpads just in case the pleather pads made my ears sweat, but thus far I haven't had to install them.The doo-hickeys near the top, where you usually find a headband, are comfortable. The headphones adjust well for me and I have had no issues with fit or discomfort when wearing these for hours on end. Your experience may be different if you have a large noggin' or if your body temperature tends to run hot (meaning if you sweat easily).Bottom line is these are a "no brainer" at $38 because they are excellent.Easy decision. No regretsI'll post pictures at a later date.Hope this was helpful.

These are my first semi-open headphones and I love them. Super comfortable for all day wear, but a bit too rigid for travel if you're on the go a lot. The sound is clear, as other reviewers mentioned, and perfect for my needs of gaming and listening to electronic music while I work.The ability to hear a little when I need to and not be completely blocked out like you are with noise cancelling headphones is a great benefit. They are super comfortable (once you get used to the fit). I had a couple pair of Sony mid-range headphones and had hurting ears after a full day of work or gaming, these I can wear all week long and not have a bit of pain. The padded wings on the top hurt my head a little before I got used to the proper adjustment (tilting them forward a little) and the wings also hurt a little over time if I'm wearing a beanie and don't adThe detachable cords are great, as well as the extension that I can run from my computer under my desk. That being said, they are not the easiest to travel with, as they don't really comfortably rest on my neck, and my briefcase just doesn't accommodate them well.The biggest complaint I have is that the plastic that's coating the metal wire cracked within the first 2 months (picture), and I haven't left my office with them. For the price, I can't complain too much but that knocked a star off for me.Overall, I'm happy with my purchase. I researched on and off for a few days to find the right pair around $50 or less and this seemed to hit the spot.

I have been on the hunt for the RIGHT gaming headset for over a year. I have owned the Turtle Beach Stealth PX24, Hyper X Cloud Stinger, both the Playstation Gold and Platinum Wireless headsets. Then, I upgraded to the wire-happy, Astro A40 TR with mixamp. I felt the A40 was bit, overpriced, performance-wise. THEN, I went to the Turtle Beach Stealth 520, which is wireless and has several, surround sound presets, including the featured, SuperHuman Hearing. However, it seemed, like each time I would game with the Stealth 520 for a bit, my ears and eventually, head would start to sweat, due to the enclosed, faux-leather design of the ear cushions. Many times, I would snatch the headset off and play, without it. Then, I went to the Arctis Pro, which was superb in sound quality and build. However, I returned them because they caused me to have headaches after gaming sessions. Then, I was on the hunt for another headset. However, I decided to go a different route and get some stereo headphones for gaming, which led me to finding out about the HD688B by Superlux. I learned about these headphones via various reviewers on YouTube. In addition, they mentioned how superb the HD688B was for gaming, despite being stereo headphones by default. I was sold and decided to give them a try. For the price. Why not? Still, I was wondering, if I would get a good experience by gaming with stereo headphones or should I stay in the gaming headset lane?DESIGN: Overall, the design of the HD688B is not my favorite. Very, basic design. The headphones is very, comfortable. The headband is made up of a wiry, hard, plastic, structure, which looks cheap, but is extremely, durable. Underneath, is a patented, auto-adjusting, headrest for stability and comfort. Plus, the headrest has a manual, sliding adjuster to compensate for an increase in head size, as well. The headphones are semi-open, which means all of the sound, may not leak out for others, nearby to hear. Also, all outside sounds, may not come in. Of course, sound performance, may vary, based upon, if the ear cushions are changed from the original ones. Of course, the original, faux leather cushions, which are included on the HD688B are terrible. I would suggest buying some aftermarket, ear cushions. Needless to say, I fell in love with the AirWeaved ear cushions, which were featured on my previously-owned, Arctis Pro. So, I purchased those on Amazon. Also, the headphones do not have any external buttons to work the headphones, like a volume button or an external mic, as it is not a gaming headset by default. PS4 users will have to change the volume by accessing Volume Control (Headphones) option on the PSN settings menu. Not much of a hassle in my opinion. Of course, if a DAC or sound card is purchased, which has a button, that could change. Also, a mod-mic will be needed to use a microphone for these headphones.SOUND: The driver size is 50mm, double-dome, neodymium magnet, which is great. The frequency response is an above-average, 10-30KHz. Many headphones or headsets are at 20-20KHz. In addition, the impedance of 56 ohms with a maximum input power of 300 mW is impressive for protection from overload by various audio equipment. The sound from the HD688B, gives perhaps, the most authentic sound, which I have heard, while gaming. Every sound can be heard with ambience and clarity from all angles, crisp with no distortion. The highs/low balance of sounds are very good, as well. Bass is there in the HD668B, but not too, much. An increase amount of bass, drowns out pure sound in my opinion. Of course, I use the headset for gaming on my PS4. With the standard ear cushions, the sound was, just right. Not, too loud or too, low. However, with the change of the ear cushions, as mentioned, I saw a much-improved, difference. I would also, suggest to add a sound card or DAC. I have a [ [ ASIN: B01MXJ83G4 Neoteck 192kHz DAC Converter with Volume Control Aluminum Digital Optical Coaxial Toslink to Analog Stereo Left/Right RCA 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter for PS3 XBox HD DVD PS4 Sky HD Plasma Blu-ray ] ]. The combination will surely, make the HD688D reach its full, optimal sound performance. With that said, there have been opinions, the HD688B is not loud for PS4. Well, get both of those modifications and that opinion will change, quick.I tested the performance of HD688B with the original and the AirWeave ear cushions, while playing Call Of Duty Black Ops 4. The original ear cushions, made the sound from the HD688D a bit, average. Not, too loud, but not too, low. However, I saw a noticeable difference, between both, while playing. The design of the AirWeave cushions, enhanced the sound and the treble of the HD688B. I was in awe of how authentic the sounds were, as I was playing. The gunfire, explosions, dialogue and other random sounds on the map to the left and right of me, were heard, loud and clear. The HD688B picks up low sounds, like a vacuum. For example, on the Morocco map, outside of hearing the common sounds, during gameplay, I could hear the clinging and breakage of pottery, while being shot or kicked around. Never heard that on my last two headsets. Then, while playing on the Icebreaker map, hearing the deep, crunching sound, as my character, Battery was trampling through the snow and the cracking of the ice, sounded unbelievably, real. Once, on the map, Summit, Battery ran inside of an open-ended bay. Battery was making a quote, while outside and the quote ended, while going half-way inside of the bay. There was an echo of Battery's voice, while making a quote, inside of that open-ended bay. The authenticity of the echo was unbelievable and nearly, scary. Of course, FPS gamers like to know about being able to hear footsteps. Well, footsteps of teammates and enemies CAN be heard, clearly and in more abundance, as they come, much closer. Perhaps, stereo headphones, might be better than a gaming headset. Considering, these headphones are under $50, the HD688B performs better than many, gaming headsets or even, headphones that is twice or three times the cost. HOW could Superlux pull this off and sell these at such a low price? I am cannot complain.MIC (OPTIONAL): Like I mentioned, a mod-mic will have to be purchased to utilize, while online gaming. The prices vary. I have not tried this, yet, as I do not have a mod-mic at this time. I do know, with one attached, it should perform, exceptionally, well.VERDICT: Overall, the Superlux HD688B is a steal, considering the performance for the price. They, just might be the best ever, which is puzzling because it is the cheapest of the majority of the so-called, high-performing, gaming headsets and various stereo headphones. While the design, may not be the prettiest, the HD688B makes up for it with an unbelievable performance. Of course, as headphones by default, the sound is great. In addition, these headphones double for gaming and performance better than any gaming headset on the market. I would suggest going to pick these up. After use, stereo headphones, just may be the way to go, moving forward.