When comparing Superlux HD 681 vs Marshall Mode, 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 Marshall Mode is ranked 33rd. 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 Great sound for the price
While the Marshall Mode does not offer a lot of features or top-notch build quality, it makes up for it with great sound quality. The bass has a slight emphasis which gives the sound good power and punch. The mids sound natural and slightly forward, while the highs are able to deliver a good level of detail without getting harsh. These earphones sound best for rock music, but can also deliver great low-end performance for hip-hop music and similar genres, and crisp highs for those who love classical music.
Pro Lightweight and comfortable
These earphones won’t cause comfort issues, even when worn for for several hours straight.. The earpieces are light so they don’t put a lot of weight in the ears.
Pro Many ear tips to choose from
With the Marshall Mode, you’ll be able to get a good fit and seal in your ears. You get 4 pairs of ear tips in different sizes to choose from. The ear tips are also of decent quality, as they are not too squishy, so they should sit well in the ears and last a reasonable period of time as well.
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 Single button remote
Controlling smartphone and music functions is limited with the Mode’s inline remote. Only a single button is present, so you can only answer or end calls, play and pause music as well as skip tracks. You can’t control volume nor can you go to previous track.
