When comparing Superlux HD 681 vs SoundPEATS Q9A, 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 SoundPEATS Q9A is ranked 124th. 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 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.
Pro Powerful and deep bass, rich mids and smooth highs
The bass of these in-ear headphones is pretty powerful. It has great depth and punch. Mids are full and rich so vocals, guitars and keys can easily be heard. The highs are rolled off, so sparkle on the high frequencies is not that prominent, but this also results in a smoother sound that is easier on the ears.
Due to the bass-centric sound signature, these in-ear headphones are best for hip-hop, EDM and dance genres.
Pro These have a nice fit in the ears as they are lightweight and incorporate ear hooks in the design
These headphones will stay in place even if you get active. The combination of the lightweight earpieces along with the integrated ear-hooks mean that these headphones will not dislodge easily.
Pro Can be used during physical activity or outdoor trips as these headphones are splash resistant
These headphones are not prone to damage due to getting wet thanks to its sweat resistance. You can run or do similar activities using these headphones with no issues. These are still not water resistant though so submerging these in water can still cause damage.
Pro Convenient to use with your smartphone as these have remote functions and a built-in mic
These in-ear headphones have remote function buttons built into the earpieces, along with a microphone. This means that you do not have to pull out your smartphone in order to control basic music functions or to answer/end calls.
Pro Comes with a lot of extra accesories
Along with the in-ear headphones, you get a shirt clip, flexible bands for managing the headphone cable, three pairs of ear tips in different sizes along with a soft case and a pouch for easy transport of these headphones when on the go.
Cons
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.
Con Bass and recessed highs can make the sound come off as muddy for some
The bass is quite powerful that it can creep up to the lower mids. Combined with the rolled off highs, this can result in a sound that may be muddy or quite less-detailed for some. If you like lot of treble or sparkle in your music then there are other in-ear headphones that have better reproduction of the highs.