How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a wider frequency range, a bigger driver and a longer straight cable for studio work, choose Superlux HD-662; if you need a lighter, more sensitive headphone with a desktop stand in the box and a known brand behind it, choose Audio-Technica ATH-M20x.
• Superlux HD-662 — biggest strength: a 50 mm dynamic driver with a 10 Hz–30 kHz frequency range and 32 ohm impedance, so it is easy to drive and covers more of the audible spectrum on paper.
• Superlux HD-662 — biggest trade-off: it is the less mainstream choice of the two, and it ships with a one-sided cable and no bundled stand or accessory kit.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x — biggest strength: a lightweight 6.7 oz closed-back build with 96 dB sensitivity, a 3 m straight cable and a desktop stand included.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x — biggest trade-off: a 40 mm driver and a narrower 15–20,000 Hz range, plus higher 47 ohm impedance, so it leans more on the amp in your setup than the Superlux does.
• Who each is for: the HD-662 suits buyers who want maximum spec-per-dollar on paper and don't mind a less famous badge; the ATH-M20x suits buyers who want a comfortable, well-known starter monitor with a stand in the box.
The Superlux HD-662 is a closed-back studio headphone built around a 50 mm dynamic driver. That is a genuinely large driver, and Superlux pairs it with a "precision fitted acoustic camera" — its term for a tuned acoustic chamber — to deliver what it describes as accurate, detailed sound with a wide dynamic range. The frequency response is rated at 10 Hz to 30 kHz, which is a broad sweep for a monitoring headphone in this class. If you care about spec sheets, the raw numbers here are the headline.
The other number that matters is impedance: 32 ohm. Lower impedance generally means the headphone is easier to drive from a phone, a laptop headphone jack or a basic audio interface without needing a dedicated amp. Combined with the 3.5 mm jack, that makes the HD-662 a plug-and-play option for a home desk. Superlux also leans on comfort: vinyl earmuffs, an ergonomically shaped self-adjusting headband and optimised headband pressure, which the brand frames as a way to keep long recording sessions bearable. The cable is one-sided and simple, so it stays out of your way.
Who should buy it? In my opinion, the HD-662 is for the buyer who wants the bigger driver and the wider stated frequency range, who works from a laptop or a modest interface, and who is fine with a brand that isn't the household name in this bracket. Who should skip it? Anyone who wants a bundled accessory, a recognised M-Series lineage, or the lighter-feeling build described by the competing model. Also skip it if you specifically want the longer cable — the HD-662's one-sided cable is described as simple, not as a long studio run.
The ATH-M20x is the entry point to Audio-Technica's M-Series, a line the brand has built for monitoring and studio work. It uses a 40 mm dynamic driver with a 15–20,000 Hz frequency response and 96 dB sensitivity. That sensitivity figure is worth pausing on: a higher sensitivity rating means the headphone converts a given amount of input power into more output, so it tends to reach a usable listening level more easily. The 47 ohm impedance sits alongside that, and together they describe a headphone designed to behave predictably on typical studio and home gear.
Comfort is the other pillar here. Audio-Technica lists the weight at 6.7 oz, which is light for an over-ear monitor, and describes it as built for extended wear. The closed-back dynamic design is pitched at noise isolation, so it cuts down ambient distraction while you track or mix. Durability gets a mention too — high-quality materials meant to survive daily professional use — and there is a 1-year limited warranty attached, which is a concrete commitment the Superlux listing doesn't state.
Connectivity is straightforward: a 3.5 mm jack and a 9.8 ft (3 m) straight cable exiting on the left side. Three metres is a real working length — enough to reach across a desk to an interface or around a small setup without an extension. And this particular bundle adds a desktop stand for storage and display, which is a practical extra if your headphones live on a desk rather than in a bag.
Who should buy it? In my opinion, the ATH-M20x is for the beginner stepping into recording, mixing or DJ practice who wants a light, isolating, well-supported headphone with a stand included and a brand with a long studio pedigree. Who should skip it? Buyers who want the largest driver and widest stated frequency range, or who need lower impedance for the easiest possible drive from weak sources.
• Best for the widest stated frequency range → Superlux HD-662 (10 Hz–30 kHz versus 15–20,000 Hz).
• Best for the largest driver → Superlux HD-662 (50 mm versus 40 mm).
• Best for easy driving from weak sources → Superlux HD-662 (32 ohm versus 47 ohm).
• Best sensitivity for reaching volume easily → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (96 dB stated).
• Best for long-session comfort → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (6.7 oz, described as built for extended wear).
• Best for cable reach in a studio setup → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (9.8 ft / 3 m straight cable, left-side exit).
• Best for a bundle with accessories → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (desktop stand included).
• Best for brand backing and stated warranty → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (1-year limited warranty).
• Best for a self-adjusting, low-pressure headband → Superlux HD-662 (optimised headband pressure, self-adjusting band).
I would buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. In my opinion, the combination of low weight, 96 dB sensitivity, effective closed-back isolation, a 3 m cable and an included desktop stand makes it the more complete, more forgiving first monitor for a home studio or a beginner's desk. The Superlux HD-662 wins on paper where it counts — bigger driver, wider range, lower impedance — and if you are chasing specs and want the easiest drive from a laptop, it is a defensible pick. But for most people buying their first proper closed-back monitor, the M20x is the safer, better-rounded choice. Before deciding, check the current price of both on Amazon, because that is the one variable that could flip the call.
FAQ
The Superlux HD-662, on impedance alone — 32 ohm versus 47 ohm means it asks less of your source. That said, the ATH-M20x's 96 dB sensitivity means it still reaches a healthy volume from typical laptop and interface outputs.
Both are closed-back designs, so both reduce ambient sound. Superlux lists passive noise cancellation; Audio-Technica describes the closed-back dynamic design as delivering exceptional noise isolation. Neither is active noise cancelling.
Audio-Technica makes the stronger case on paper: 6.7 oz, explicitly described as designed for extended wear. Superlux counters with vinyl earmuffs, a lightweight self-adjusting band and optimised headband pressure, so it is not a one-sided contest — but the M20x's lighter spec is easier to point to.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.