When comparing Grado Prestige Series SR80e vs Superlux HD 668B, the Slant community recommends Grado Prestige Series SR80e for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Grado Prestige Series SR80e is ranked 32nd while Superlux HD 668B is ranked 111st. The most important reason people chose Grado Prestige Series SR80e is:
The highs are quite forward which brings out a lot of detail from the music. The mids, while not upfront, have nice presence and body to the music. The bass has good impact and is well-defined. The SR80e works best for rock, country or live music, but can also perform well for classical music, EDM and similar genres.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Fun sounding with extended bass and highs along with warm mids
The highs are quite forward which brings out a lot of detail from the music. The mids, while not upfront, have nice presence and body to the music. The bass has good impact and is well-defined.
The SR80e works best for rock, country or live music, but can also perform well for classical music, EDM and similar genres.
Pro Open back design results in good sound stage
Th ear cups sport an open-back design, with mesh as the only covering on the driver. This gives a good sound stage which, while not very wide, is enough to give a feeling that the sound is coming from some distance away instead of just from beside your ears. This gives the music a more natural feel.
Pro Cable feels high quality
The cable is fairly long, thick and has a good weight to it. This is reassuring, as it means the cable will not break easily.
Pro Hand assembled in America
Grado Labs first started in the 50's, and to this day still hand craft all their products in their Brooklyn plant.
Pro Very light
The headband is only a piece of leather with a very thin metal sheet inside to give it structure, along with thin metal rods as gimbals for the plastic ear cups. Not only is it light, it's also quite portable too.
Pro Good sound quality with nice, full bass and lively highs
The low end is powerful and punchy, adding a lot of thump to the music. Explosions from movies and games really stand out. Hip hop and EDM genres will also work well with these headphones.
Highs are forward, so audio details can easily be appreciated.
The mids on the other hand are recessed, which results in a V-shaped sound that many consider to be fun-sounding.
Pro Wide sound stage
The semi-open design results in a wide and natural sound stage. Combined with the great sound imaging, these headphones can give an immersive audio listening experience.
Pro Soft and comfortable on the head
The ear pads and headband are cushioned with thick foam which can help give a comfortable listening experience.
Pro Cable can easily be changed
Connected to the left ear cup is a 3.5mm breakaway male jack, where you can attach a 3.5mm female to male cable. Changing and replacing cables should be easy because of this feature.
Pro Comes with two headphone cables
It comes with a 1-meter cable and a 3-meter cable out of the box. Not only does this give you the option as to the the cable length that suits your needs, but you also have a spare cable available in case one gets damaged.
Cons
Con Highs can sound piercing/harsh
Some users may find the highs to be too much. This is especially true if used with music that have a lot of high frequency sounds or effects like cymbals for example.
Con On ear design can be uncomfortable
The SR80e's ear cups sit on top of the user's ears with just a thin foam piece acting as cushion. This can result in an uncomfortable listening experience, especially when worn for extended periods.
Con May feel flimsy/cheap
These sound great, but build quality might not be up to par with the sound. The headband is very thin while the ear cups are mostly made of plastic. If you are looking for headphones that look and feel premium then these may not be for you.
Con Open-back design leaks a lot of sound
These headphones leak a lot of sound which means that other people near you can easily hear what you are listening to. These are not the best to use if you are in a place where silence is important.
Con Cable is non-removable
The cable is long, thick and non-removable, which makes it quite difficult to manage.
Con Very bulky plug
The 3.5mm plug is very large, and if you use a case on your phone, you won't be able to fit it in all the way. This can make the headphones sound off, or not produce any sound at all.
Con Barebones accessories
There is no included case, no in-line remote, and no microphone.
Con Clamping force can be a bit too tight
While this is somehow mitigated by the thick foam on the ear pads, users who are sensitive to clamping pressure will very likely find these to be a little too firm.
Con Highs can be harsh
The highs are clear and forward, but at times can also be too much. The sound can get fatiguing to listen to, especially if the user is sensitive to treble.
Con Feels flimsy
The 668B's build is primarily made of plastic, and the fit and finish is not that great. You will hear and feel a lot of rattling and the plastic will flex often. These are budget headphones and it shows in the build quality.
Con Heat can build up quickly around the ears
The vinyl material that covers the ear pads may feel soft and comfortable on the skin, but it also traps heat pretty well. Heat can build-up quickly around the ears, which can be uncomfortable for most.