When comparing Superlux HD 681 vs Plantronics BackBeat Fit, 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 Plantronics BackBeat Fit is ranked 22nd. 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
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
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 Bluetooth connectivity minimizes the hassle of wires
Connectivity with source devices is via Bluetooth, so in place of a full headphone cable is a flexible, soft and short cord made of rubber material that keeps the earpieces connected. You won't have to deal with a long and dangling cable.
Pro Full mids, punchy bass, and smooth highs
The highs are not the most detailed, but they are clear and do give an airy feel to the music. The mids are full and forward so vocals will definitely sound great.
Bass is hit or miss though, depending on how well these headphones seal in your ear. If there is a good seal then bass is punchy and tight though not very powerful. Otherwise, it is likely that the bass will sound a bit on the thin side.
Pro The included case doubles as an armband
The case can be converted into an armband by reversing it inside out. This is very useful as you can use the arm band to store your smartphone while on a run, along with some essentials like your keys or some cash.
Pro Fits nice and snug in the ears
The ear tips are made out of a soft and flexible material that is comfortable and supports the weight of the earpieces quite well. This is enhanced by the wing tips that further help to keep the headphones in place.
Pro Earbud design allows ambient sound in
The design does not create a thorough seal in your ears, which can be a good thing as this will allow you to maintain awareness of what's around you.
Pro Good battery life
The BackBeat Fit can last up to 8 hours of playback from a full charge.
Pro Sweat resistant
A sweat resistant coating is applied to the interior parts, so splashes of liquid aren't likely to cause damage.
Pro On-earpiece buttons allow basic smartphone/music player function control
Each of the earpieces have a single button. Different combinations of presses will allow you to pause/play tracks, answer/end calls, adjust volume and do other functions which can be convenient.
Pro Built in microphone has a decent sound
The audio from the microphone is not amazing, but it is quite clear with no distortion so it should be good for most conversations.
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 Flopping earpiece cord can be annoying
When you start moving, it is likely that the short but fairly chunky cord connecting both earpieces will flop up and down. This can come into contact with your skin which can be distracting, and can even cause skin irritation.
Con Noise leakage can be distracting
While these headphones allow you stay aware of your surroundings, this also means that a lot of environmental sound will get in the way of your music. If you want to zone-in on your audio while running or working out then these may not be the best ones for you.