If you want a roomy, velour-padded over-ear fit with a self-adjusting headband for a big head, choose SAMSON SR850; if you need a long single-sided cable and soft vinyl earpads, choose Superlux HD681. Both are wired, semi-open headphones with 50 mm drivers and a stated 10 Hz to 30 kHz frequency range, but their comfort materials and cable details give them different practical advantages.
For anyone comparing over ear headphones for big head, the headband design is relevant, but neither product's specifications give a head-size measurement. I would focus on the self-adjusting fit and the feel of the ear pads rather than assuming either model will suit every head shape.
• SAMSON SR850: Semi-open design, 50 mm drivers, velour ear cushions, and a self-adjusting headband; the semi-open construction is not designed to isolate you from nearby sound.
• Superlux HD681: 50 mm neodymium drivers, a 2.5-meter single-sided cable, and a self-adjusting headband; its soft vinyl ear pads may appeal less to someone specifically looking for velour.
• Both: Wired, over-ear, semi-open headphones with 32-ohm impedance and a stated frequency range of 10 Hz to 30 kHz.
• Fit consideration: Both use a self-adjusting headband, but the provided specifications do not state a headband range or guarantee a fit for a particular head size.
• Choose SAMSON SR850 if velour ear cushions and a semi-open listening design are your priorities.
• Choose Superlux HD681 if the included 2.5-meter straight cable and screw-on stereo mini plug better suit your setup.
The SAMSON SR850 is an over-ear, semi-open headphone with 50 mm dynamic drivers and a self-adjusting headband. Its velour cushions are a notable point of difference from the Superlux's vinyl pads. If I were choosing between these two for longer listening or desk sessions, I would give the SR850 the edge when the feel of velour is especially appealing. That is a materials-based preference, not a promise that every listener will find the fit comfortable.
The stated frequency range is 10 Hz to 30 kHz, and the impedance is 32 ohms. The package includes an adapter that converts its 1/8-inch plug to 1/4-inch. That can be useful when a listening or recording setup has a 1/4-inch headphone connection. The semi-open construction is worth keeping in mind: it is not the choice I would make when the main goal is to block out surrounding sound or keep headphone audio contained in a shared room.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
For a big-head fit, the self-adjusting headband is a relevant design feature, but the available specifications do not provide dimensions or a fit guarantee. I would consider the SR850 if its over-ear format and velour pads suit your preferences. I would skip it if you specifically need the Superlux's stated 2.5-meter cable, or if you need a headphone designed to isolate you from other people and noise.
Superlux HD681: Who It's For
The Superlux HD681 is also a wired, over-ear, semi-open headphone with 50 mm neodymium drivers, 32-ohm impedance, and a stated frequency range of 10 Hz to 30 kHz. Like the SAMSON, it has a self-adjusting headband. Its most concrete practical distinction is the cable: a 2.5-meter straight, single-sided lead ending in a screw-on gold-plated stereo mini plug.
That cable setup may suit a home desk or studio arrangement where extra reach is useful. The single-sided routing also means the cable connects on one side rather than running to both earcups. Superlux lists soft vinyl ear pads, while the SR850 uses velour. Neither material is automatically right for everyone, so I would treat that difference as a personal comfort preference rather than a sound-quality verdict.
The HD681 could make sense if you want a long cable and a screw-on plug arrangement, or if you are comparing wired headphones for music, gaming, or home-studio use. Its semi-open design means it should not be treated as a sealed, noise-isolating option. And while its headband adjusts itself, the listed details do not say how far it extends, so a shopper with a big head cannot infer an exact fit from that feature alone.
• Prefer velour ear cushions? Choose SAMSON SR850. Its soft velour pads distinguish it from the Superlux's soft vinyl pads. This is a tangible design difference, though comfort remains individual.
• Need a 2.5-meter cable? Choose Superlux HD681. Its listed cable is straight, single-sided, and 2.5 meters long. That may help when your listening position is some distance from the audio source.
• Want an included 1/4-inch adapter? Choose SAMSON SR850. Its package includes an adapter from 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch, which can be handy for compatible equipment.
• Prefer a screw-on stereo mini plug? Choose Superlux HD681. Its cable ends in a screw-on gold-plated stereo mini plug.
• Looking for a self-adjusting headband? Either model has one. This shared feature may be useful to consider when comparing fit, but neither product's supplied details specify a head-size range.
• Want a semi-open over-ear design? Either model fits that brief. Both are wired and semi-open, so neither should be selected on the assumption that it will fully isolate you from surrounding sound.
• Comparing the listed driver and frequency figures? The main numbers match. Both list 50 mm drivers, 32-ohm impedance, and a 10 Hz to 30 kHz frequency range. Those figures alone do not establish that they sound identical.
• Choosing headphones for a big head? Compare the fit details, not just the label. Both have self-adjusting headbands, but the available specifications do not confirm that either will fit every wearer.
I would also be careful not to treat either model as a substitute for products made for a different purpose. If your search has wandered from headphones to the best true wireless earbuds for big head or to IPX7 waterproof sports earbuds for big head, those are different categories. These two models are wired over-ear headphones, and the provided details do not list true wireless operation or an IPX7 waterproof rating.
For a home recording or listening space, semi-open design may be an important consideration because it does not provide the same kind of isolation as a closed design. That matters if you share a room or need to keep sound from escaping. Neither product's listed facts promise sound isolation. For desk use, however, the cable and plug details can matter every day. The Superlux supplies more cable reach on paper; the SAMSON includes the adapter that can accommodate a compatible 1/4-inch connection.
My Verdict
In my opinion, I would choose the SAMSON SR850 for a big-head shopper comparing these two, mainly because its self-adjusting headband is paired with velour ear cushions and an included 1/4-inch adapter. Those are useful, concrete features for over-ear listening and a range of wired setups. I would choose the Superlux HD681 instead if its 2.5-meter single-sided cable and screw-on plug are a better match for your workspace. Neither set of specifications proves a fit for every big head, so I would make the final call around the fit policy and pad material you prefer.
Both have self-adjusting headbands, but neither product's listed details specify an adjustable range or a guaranteed fit for a particular head size. The SR850 has velour ear cushions; the HD681 has soft vinyl pads. Those material differences may help narrow your preference, but they do not establish which will fit you better.
Do the SAMSON SR850 and Superlux HD681 block outside noise?
The Superlux HD681 lists a 2.5-meter straight, single-sided cable. The SAMSON SR850's provided details do not state a cable length, so there is not enough information here to compare the two cable lengths directly.
Both list 50 mm drivers, 32-ohm impedance, a 10 Hz to 30 kHz frequency range, and semi-open over-ear construction. The clearest stated differences are the SR850's velour ear cushions and included 1/4-inch adapter, compared with the HD681's soft vinyl pads and 2.5-meter single-sided cable with a screw-on mini plug.
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