The Superlux HD668B aims for a far more monitor-like approach in it presentation. The sound is closer to a good closed monitor than to the very open AD700. It does not sound nearly as warm and as weighty as the AD700, and is quite thin on the mid bass to low mid region. If you are looking for full-sounding mids or midbass like the HD600 and HD650, you really should look elsewhere. True to its purpose as monitoring headphones, most parts of the frequency from bass to treble have a great control and balanced amount to it. The bass is more compact than AD700’s but is a bit deeper, more accurate, more detailed, and has a little bit more punch. All in all, the HD668B is the more accurate and neutral headphone between the two, however, it is also less open and airy-sounding than the AD700. For those who love the open sound, the Superlux can sound a bit closed-in at times and even sounds a bit hollow in some setup due to its thin low mids presentation. Though not necessarily very power hungry, synergistic amp can do wonders to them as they are quite revealing. In my experience, I prefer a warm and lush sounding setup with the Superlux to add some warmth to its sound signature. In terms of detail, both headphones are very detailed overall when compared to the competition at this price range. However, I found the HD668B to be a bit more detailed and transparent. In some ways, the HD668B is really quite a technical monster at this price range.
The HD668B comes with a removable cable.
These two headphones are very good-sounding. In fact, I’m quite amazed at how good their sound quality is considering their price. In the past few years, we have seen increase an influx in choices in the higher end part of the headphones market; however, after I listened to these two headphones, I feel that budget oriented audiophiles are not necessarily left in the cold. Headphones like the Audio Technica AD700 and the Superlux HD668B have definitely raised the bar for sub-$100 headphones. Now, the budget-minded audiophiles, more than ever before, can get a great sounding headphone for less than $100, and to get a significant increase in sound quality, they may very well need double of that for better headphones, not including the additional cost of an amp. Gone are the days when Grados and Alessandro MS1 are the automatic choices for best-sounding full-size headphones under $100. Sub-$100 headphones have never sounded better.
System used for review:
Headphones: Audio Technica AD700, Superlux HD668B
Amp: Audiotrak Imamp
Source: Pioneer CD Player, Ipod Nano 1st Gen
odon
are you sure the price of ad 700 was under $100?
it seems under $200, ad 300 market price $70
Mike
Hi, here is one from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Audiophi…
Harlin
Wait until you properly damped AD700 🙂
It raises the bar even more…
Mike
Hahaha.. I bet it is. 😀 Let me take a listen to it then! 😀
Joey
Try adjust the headband of the superlux. You'll find a decent fit and they'll no longer press against your head after a while, the smaller your head is, the wider gap between the two rectangular things.
I'm getting the AKG velour pads + stretching the headband to improve comfort. These bad bois would slaughter my V6 nicely.
Mike
Hi Joey,
Thanks for the tips. How do you exactly adjust the headband on these? I don't have the 668B with me right now, but as far as I remember, we couldn't find a way to adjust it.
Joey
It's really hard to describe without pictures but I learned this from reading the instruction book. 🙂
Mike
That's how you figured it out!
I didn't get an instruction book. 😀
Joey
🙂 mine come in a cardboard box (looked pretty badass for a <$40 pair of headphones)
basically the two pads on top can be slide along the plastic parts that they're attached to.
Value pair of headphones. Nice mids but after few days of using I find the bass extension a bit lacking (as you said, these needs a very warm amp), it's punchy and lean.
The build quality is decent. What I like the most is the cheap plastic 😛 , making the phones so light to wear and carry around. Overall, perfect choice for college students, who wants to enjoy quality music in the library for a affordable price.
Mike
Library huh? Don't they leak sound a bit? Or are you listening @ low volume?
FanBoy
if hd668b compared with srh940, which one better (from it’s clarity, bass, soundstage)
Anonymous
Actually very comparable, though the SRH940 is less harsh, more refined, and maybe a tad more resolution. So clarity is about the same, bass is punchier on the 668B, soundstage is wider on the 668B, but better imaging and deeper on the SRH-940.
FanBoy
what is imaging? i confused with that term :p
hd668b will be nice if use the velour pad
i want to preorder them from china
Anonymous
Listen to a good live recording, and the headphone with the better imaging will recreate that live venue better.
Nessuno1234
Hi. for RnB,Classic, Pop and Vocals,
is better
HD668b or Ad700?
HD668 costs 60 euros with the pads.
AD700 costs 105 euros.
I’ve already supelux HD660.I don’t like it. to close sound(claustrophobic), and too much bass.
Thanks
Anonymous
Okay, you think the HD660 has too much bass? Then I suggest you go with the AD700, though personally I think the AD700 would be too far bass-light for RnB.
299792458
thanks. do you think there is something better for 100-150€?
I like femele vocal: alicia keys(acoustic version), avril lavigne, rihanna(california king bed, love her voice and this song)
Anonymous
Well from what you said (you want a lighter bass and don’t want a closed sound) I would think that the AD700, or better yet the AD900 would be good for you.
Personally I would use something warmer like the B&W P5 for alicia keys, avril lavigne, and rihanna.
Duna21
hi,
how is this in term of mid performance to ath m-50? which is sweeter & fuller?
Anonymous
Duna,
Again both are roughly “equal” on a scale of “sweeter and fuller mids”, though each with a different presentation. The ATH AD-line up is never about full mids, it’s about a big spacious soundstage, with the only exception being the flagship AD-2000. http://www.headfonia.com/audio-technica-ad-series-ad300-ad700-ad900-ad1000prm-ad2000/
Duna21
thank u headfonia
Billybobjoe
Which one should I get for gaming and skype? I don’t listen to music and I have a small head. Is there something better for me?
Billybobjoe
Also, how comfortable are they, and do they need an amplifier? I don’t listen at high volumes and I am using an integrated sound card but will be building a new computer soon with a better integrated sound card.
Mike
Billy,
The AD700 seems pretty popular with gamers, though I don’t play computer games so I can’t really verify that. It should be good with the integrated sound card too.
You need a microphone for Skype, by the way. I personally use a Logitech USB headset for Skype.
Billybobjoe
Thanks for your help. I have a microphone and I am getting these.
Mike
You’re welcome.
furlonium
Be sure to grab a Mixamp or something similar to power and process the DD output into Dolby Headphone, if you’re on a console that is.