When comparing Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ) vs Superlux HD 681, the Slant community recommends Superlux HD 681 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Superlux HD 681 is ranked 5th while Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ) is ranked 41st. The most important reason people chose Superlux HD 681 is:
The HD681 will not put a lot of strain to your neck and head, even for long periods. Coming in at around 220 g, they are relatively light. This is due to the use of plastic as the primary build material, along with small metal tubes on the headband frame instead of large plastic or metal parts.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Rich and forward mids with good bass
The mids are the star of the MHP 839’s sound signature. They are forward and have good clarity, making vocals and guitars sound really prominent, and gives the overall sound a distinctly warm feel.
The bass is very good. While not very forward, it is full, has good punch and comes off as quite natural.
The top highs are rolled off, which may muddle some of the music’s details. However, this also results in a smooth sound, as there is little to no harshness.
Pro Ear cup position can be adjusted in a variety of ways
You can wear these the conventional way, or you can also choose to use these DJ style, where only one ear cup is held to the ear.
Pro Two headphone cables are included
One cable is thinner and shorter which is great for mobile use. The other is longer and thicker which should work better when using the headphones indoors.
Pro Removable cable
The cable is connected to the left ear cup via a 3.5mm cable, which can easily be removed. Storing the headphones or replacing a broken cable should be very easy to do.
Pro Nice sounding headphones that are great for casual, studio or mobile use
The MHP 839 is very versatile. The sound signature is enjoyable, and can work well with a variety of genres. It also offers good passive noise isolation for studio/DJ use. The collapsible design with removable cables make it easy to bring on the go. This combination of features is rarely seen in the price range.
Pro Not tiring to wear
The HD681 will not put a lot of strain to your neck and head, even for long periods. Coming in at around 220 g, they are relatively light. This is due to the use of plastic as the primary build material, along with small metal tubes on the headband frame instead of large plastic or metal parts.
Pro Bass and treble are emphasized
These headphones have what is called a V-shaped sound signature where the bass and treble is boosted while the mids take a backseat. The bass is powerful, deep and satisfying. Listening to bass heavy music will certainly be a good experience. The boosted treble makes audio detail up front, so nuances in the music can be clearly heard.
Pro Fairly wide soundstage
Due to the semi-open design, the sound is not completely trapped inside the ear cup housing. This gives the sound a wider, more natural feel.
Cons
Con Pads can get warm pretty quickly
The ear pads do provide ample cushioning, but they also trap heat, causing your ears to get warm really quick. You may need to take these off periodically so you can cool off.
Con Strong clamping force can cause discomfort
The strong clamp may feel like it's squeezing your head which can get uncomfortable after a while.
Con Feels cheap and flimsy
These headphones can creak and flex a lot. Some may also find that these are too light for their size.
Con May feel cheap and flimsy
The plastics used in the construction of these headphones are not of the best quality. They feel flimsy and will often flex and rattle.
Con Thin ear pads may cause comfort issues
The ear pads are made of cheap feeling synthetic leather which can get warm rather quickly. To potentially add more discomfort, the cushioning inside these ear pads is quite thin, and can hurt the area around your ears when worn for many hours straight.
Con Mids can be lacking
Some may find the mids to be inadequate. Vocals, guitars and other sounds in the mid-frequencies may sound distant or too soft.
Con Treble can be harsh
While the bass benefits greatly from the V-shaped sound signature, the highs are boosted by quite a lot, and can make the treble sound too harsh for some. Cymbal hits for example can be too washy and near distorted and can be fatiguing.