If you want a wired over-ear option with a detachable cable and two cable lengths, choose Superlux HD-681; if you need closed-back headphones designed for tracking and sound isolation, choose Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. For side sleepers, neither model’s over-ear design is an obvious fit, but the Superlux’s cable flexibility gives it a practical edge for some bedside setups.
Superlux HD-681 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M20x at a Glance
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: Its closed-back, circumaural design is intended to isolate sound, with a single 3 m cable; the long, fixed cable is less flexible around a bed or desk.
• For a flexible wired setup: Choose the Superlux if swapping cable length matters more than a single-side cable exit.
• For tracking and quieter listening around other noise: Choose the Audio-Technica for its stated sound-isolating design and studio-tracking focus.
• For side sleepers: Neither is purpose-built for sleeping; both are over-ear headphones, so fit and pressure against a pillow are important concerns.
• Who each suits: The Superlux fits listeners who want a detachable cable and broad stated frequency range; the ATH-M20x fits listeners who prioritize closed-back isolation and tracking-oriented design.
The Superlux HD-681 is a wired, over-ear headphone built around a 50 mm dynamic driver with a neodymium magnet. Its stated reproduction range is 10–30,000 Hz, and its sensitivity is 98 dB SPL per milliwatt. Those numbers describe the device’s specifications, not a guarantee that every listener will hear a particular sound signature. The practical point is that this is a straightforward, wired listening design with a conventional 3.5 mm connection.
Its cable arrangement is the standout convenience feature. The cable detaches from the headphones, and the package includes straight 1 m and 3 m cables. A shorter lead can be less cumbersome when listening near a phone or laptop; the longer one can offer more reach at a desk. That choice is useful in a home setup where the listening position changes. The listed impedance is 32 ohms, another concrete detail for buyers comparing wired headphones, though it does not by itself establish compatibility with every source or determine sound quality.
For side sleepers, I would treat the HD-681 as a compromise rather than a sleep-specific pick. Its over-ear shape places the earcups around the ears, and the supplied information does not describe a low-profile sleeping design. A pillow can press an over-ear cup toward the ear, so the form factor is the central concern. The detachable cable does make it easier to choose a shorter lead for a bedside setup, but it cannot change the headphone’s physical shape.
I would consider it for someone who wants a wired over-ear headphone with two cable lengths and a replaceable-at-the-headphone cable arrangement. Skip it if you need a compact, low-profile headphone specifically for sleeping on your side.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is also a wired, over-ear headphone, but its design emphasis is different. It has 40 mm dynamic drivers with rare-earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. Audio-Technica describes it as designed for studio tracking and mixing, and the tuning is intended to enhance low-frequency performance. That makes its stated purpose clearer than simply general wired listening: it is aimed at monitoring work as well as everyday audio.
Its closed-back, circumaural construction contours around the ears and is described as providing sound isolation in louder environments. That can suit a listener who wants to focus on audio near other noise, or someone monitoring a recording without an open-back design. The cable exits from one side and is 3 m long. This is convenient when a single cable route toward a desk or recording setup is useful, but the cable is not detachable according to the supplied specifications, and its fixed length may be more than needed for a close bedside source.
The ATH-M20x has a stated frequency range of 15–20,000 Hz, a sensitivity of 96 dB, and a maximum input power of 700 mW at 1 kHz. Those figures can help distinguish it on a specification sheet, but they do not settle which headphone will sound better to an individual. It also comes with a 6.3 mm snap-on adapter, useful for connecting to equipment with that jack size. The supplied description calls it lightweight and durable, while the listed weight is 210 g without cable and connector.
For side sleepers, the same basic limitation applies: this is an over-ear model, not a low-profile sleep headphone. Its isolating design may appeal to someone listening in a noisy room, but isolation does not make the earcups more comfortable against a pillow. Skip it if your main requirement is a shallow earcup that stays comfortable when pressed sideways.
• Best for choosing between cable lengths → Superlux HD-681. It includes detachable 1 m and 3 m straight cables, giving you a short option for close listening and a longer option for more reach.
• Best for a single cable route → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. Its 3 m cable exits from the left side, a simple arrangement for a fixed desk or monitoring position.
• Best for a stated closed-back isolation design → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. Its circumaural construction is specifically described as helping isolate sound in louder environments.
• Best for a larger listed driver → Superlux HD-681. Its driver is 50 mm, compared with 40 mm on the ATH-M20x. Driver size alone does not prove which one sounds better.
• Best for a supplied 6.3 mm adapter → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. The snap-on adapter adds a connection option for compatible audio equipment.
• Best for a wider stated frequency range → Superlux HD-681. Its listed range is 10–30,000 Hz, while the ATH-M20x is listed at 15–20,000 Hz. These figures are specifications, not a full account of perceived sound.
• Best for a side-sleeping setup → Neither is a clear winner. Both are over-ear headphones, and neither product description identifies a sleep-oriented low-profile shape.
• Best for studio tracking and mixing as a stated use → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. That purpose is explicitly part of its design description; the Superlux data emphasizes its driver, connection, and cable details.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-13 · 17 min read · Independent comparison
For a side sleeper, the shape of the earcups matters more than a driver measurement. Both models are listed as over-ear, so the cups surround the ears rather than sitting flat against them. The supplied information does not give cup depth or a profile measurement, so I would not assume either will feel comfortable with an ear pressed into a pillow. If sleeping on your side is the main use, a product specifically designed for that position may be a more suitable category than either of these full-size headphones.
Think about cable management, too. The Superlux gives you a detachable connection and two cable lengths, which is useful if you switch between a nearby device and a more distant listening position. The ATH-M20x uses one 3 m cable exiting on the left, a tidy arrangement for a stationary desk but less adjustable if you want to reduce excess cable. Neither sheet describes wireless operation as a usable feature, so treat both as wired choices.
The Audio-Technica’s sound-isolating construction and tracking focus make it the more purpose-specific pick for monitoring in a noisy environment. The Superlux’s figures and cable set may be more compelling to someone who wants flexibility in a home listening setup. Neither driver diameter nor frequency range is enough to predict personal comfort, isolation in every room, or an individual preference for sound. Check the current price on Amazon if price is part of your decision; the useful comparison here is whether the design matches how you plan to listen.
The phrases “best sports earbuds for side sleepers” and “best on ear headphones for side sleepers” point toward different product categories than these two wired over-ear models. Neither headphone is an earbud, and neither is described as on-ear. If you are specifically looking for lightweight headphones for side sleepers, the ATH-M20x’s listed weight is 210 g without cable and connector, while the Superlux product information lists 265 g. Those figures are not a complete comfort comparison, but they are relevant when weight is one of your priorities.
I would choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x if my main goal were tracking or focused listening around external noise, because its closed-back circumaural design is explicitly built around isolation.
For a side-sleeping use case, though, I would not call either model an ideal fit: both are over-ear designs, and the available details do not establish pillow comfort.
If I had to choose between them for a bedside wired setup, I would lean toward the Superlux HD-681 for its detachable cable and included 1 m option.
That flexibility is useful, but it does not remove the basic over-ear trade-off.
Neither is specifically described as a sleep headphone. Both are over-ear models, so either may press against the ear when your head rests on a pillow. The product details do not provide low-profile measurements or a sleep-position comfort claim.
The Superlux HD-681 includes detachable 1 m and 3 m straight cables. The ATH-M20x has a 3 m cable with a left-side exit, which may suit a fixed setup but offers no listed choice of cable length.
The ATH-M20x is described as a closed-back, circumaural design intended to provide sound isolation. The HD-681 data does not make a comparable isolation claim, so the Audio-Technica is the clearer choice if isolation is a priority.
The ATH-M20x is explicitly designed for studio tracking and mixing, and it includes a 6.3 mm snap-on adapter. The Superlux has monitoring in its product name and detailed driver specifications, but the supplied information does not state the same tracking-and-mixing purpose.
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If you want a wired over-ear headphone with a detachable cable and two cable lengths, choose Superlux HD-681; if you need closed-back headphones designed for tracking and sound isolation, choose Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. For side sleepers, neither model is an obvious fit: both are over-ear headphones, and neither is described as having a low-profile sleep-friendly design.
• Superlux HD-681: A 50 mm dynamic driver, 32-ohm impedance, and detachable 1 m and 3 m cables give it setup flexibility; the over-ear shape may be awkward against a pillow.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: Its closed-back, circumaural design is intended to isolate sound, with a stated focus on studio tracking; the fixed 3 m cable offers less flexibility in length.
• Choose the Superlux if you want to switch between shorter and longer cables or value its detachable connection.
• Choose the Audio-Technica if sound isolation and a tracking-oriented design matter more than changing cable length.
• For side sleepers: Neither is purpose-built for sleeping on your side, so earcup pressure is the main trade-off.
• Who each suits: The Superlux suits listeners who want cable options and a broad stated frequency range; the ATH-M20x suits listeners seeking closed-back isolation and a defined studio use.
Superlux HD-681: Who It's For
The Superlux HD-681 is a wired over-ear headphone with a 50 mm dynamic driver and neodymium magnet. Its stated frequency range is 10–30,000 Hz, and its sensitivity is 98 dB SPL per milliwatt. Those measurements help identify the model, but they do not tell you exactly how it will sound to you or guarantee that its tuning will match your preferences. This is a conventional wired setup with a 3.5 mm stereo mini plug.
For side sleepers, the key consideration is its over-ear shape, not the driver size. The earcups surround the ears, and the supplied details do not identify a shallow or sleep-specific design. A pillow can press an over-ear cup against your ear. Choosing the 1 m cable may reduce excess wire beside the bed, but it does not change how the headphone fits when you lie down.
I would consider the HD-681 if you want a wired over-ear headphone with a detachable connection and two cable lengths for different everyday setups. Skip it if you need a compact, low-profile headphone specifically for sleeping on your side.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is a wired over-ear model with 40 mm dynamic drivers, rare-earth magnets, and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. Its design is described as intended for studio tracking and mixing, with tuning focused on enhanced low-frequency performance. That gives it a clear use case for someone looking for a monitoring-oriented headphone rather than simply a flexible cable setup.
Its closed-back, circumaural construction contours around the ears and is described as providing sound isolation in louder environments. That may appeal if you want to focus on audio near other noise, or need headphones for monitoring in a recording space. The cable is 3 m long and exits from the left side. A single-side cable route can be convenient at a desk, but the stated details do not list a detachable cable or alternate lengths.
The ATH-M20x has a stated frequency range of 15–20,000 Hz, sensitivity of 96 dB, and maximum input power of 700 mW at 1 kHz. These specifications offer comparison points, but they cannot settle a personal sound preference by themselves. The package also includes a 6.3 mm snap-on adapter for compatible equipment. The product information lists a weight of 210 g without cable and connector and describes the headphone as lightweight and durable.
For a side sleeper, isolation does not solve the main concern: the over-ear cups may press against a pillow. The available details do not describe a sleep-oriented shape or provide cup-depth measurements, so I would not assume it will be comfortable lying on your side.
I would choose it for tracking-focused listening or when the stated closed-back isolation matters more than cable flexibility. Skip it if your main requirement is a shallow earcup that stays comfortable when pressed sideways.
• Best for choosing a cable length → Superlux HD-681. It includes detachable 1 m and 3 m straight cables, which suit nearby listening as well as setups that need more reach.
• Best for a single cable route → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. Its 3 m cable exits from the left side, a straightforward arrangement for a fixed listening position.
• Best for a stated closed-back isolation design → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. Its circumaural construction is specifically described as helping isolate sound in louder environments.
• Best for the larger listed driver → Superlux HD-681. It uses a 50 mm driver compared with the ATH-M20x’s 40 mm driver. Size alone does not prove which one will sound better.
• Best for a supplied 6.3 mm adapter → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. The included snap-on adapter adds a connection option for equipment with a compatible jack.
• Best for a wider stated frequency range → Superlux HD-681. Its listed range is 10–30,000 Hz, versus 15–20,000 Hz for the ATH-M20x. A range figure is not a complete description of sound.
• Best for side sleeping → Neither is a clear winner. Both are over-ear models, and neither is described as having a sleep-specific profile.
• Best for a stated studio tracking and mixing purpose → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. Its design description explicitly names those uses; the Superlux details emphasize its drivers and cable options.
If you are buying primarily for side sleeping, put earcup shape ahead of driver measurements. Both headphones are over-ear, so the cups surround the ears rather than sitting flat against them. The supplied information does not provide cup depth or low-profile measurements. That makes it difficult to predict how either will feel with an ear pressed into a pillow. A model designed specifically for sleeping may be a better category to explore if overnight comfort is your main goal.
Cable management is another meaningful difference. The Superlux gives you a detachable connection and two cable lengths, which can be handy if you move between a bedside device and a desk. The ATH-M20x has one 3 m cable exiting on the left. That arrangement may be convenient when the headphones stay near a fixed workstation, but it gives you less choice if you want to avoid extra wire.
Consider where you plan to listen. The ATH-M20x is the more clearly specified option for tracking and mixing, and its closed-back circumaural construction is described as providing isolation in louder environments. The Superlux may suit a flexible home setup better if a detachable cable and two lengths are priorities. Neither driver diameter nor frequency range alone can predict personal comfort, isolation in every room, or whether you will prefer one sound presentation.
The searches “best sports earbuds for side sleepers” and “best on ear headphones for side sleepers” describe different categories from these two wired over-ear models. Neither headphone is an earbud, and neither is described as on-ear. If you are looking for lightweight headphones for side sleepers, the ATH-M20x is listed at 210 g without cable and connector; the Superlux product information lists 265 g. Those figures are worth considering, but weight alone does not tell you how comfortable either model will feel against a pillow.
If price matters to your decision, check the current price on Amazon. For this comparison, the stronger deciding factors are cable flexibility, the ATH-M20x’s stated isolation and monitoring purpose, and whether an over-ear fit suits the way you plan to listen.
I would choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x for tracking-focused listening because its design is explicitly described for that purpose and its closed-back construction is intended to provide isolation.
For a side-sleeping setup, though, I would not call either headphone an ideal choice: both are over-ear, and the supplied details do not establish pillow comfort.
If I had to pick one for bedside wired listening, I would lean toward the Superlux HD-681 for its detachable cable and included 1 m option.
That flexibility helps with cable management, but it does not change the over-ear fit.
Neither is described as a sleep headphone. Both have an over-ear design, which may press against the ear when your head rests on a pillow. The product details do not specify a low-profile shape.
The Superlux HD-681 includes detachable 1 m and 3 m straight cables. The ATH-M20x has a 3 m cable with a left-side exit, without a listed choice of cable length.
The ATH-M20x is described as closed-back and circumaural, with a design intended to provide sound isolation. The Superlux details do not make a comparable isolation claim, so the Audio-Technica is the clearer pick if isolation is important.
The ATH-M20x is explicitly described as designed for studio tracking and mixing, and it includes a 6.3 mm snap-on adapter. The supplied Superlux details emphasize driver specifications and cable options but do not state the same tracking-and-mixing purpose.
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