If you want a wide-open, detail-heavy monitoring sound with a detachable cable you can swap for length, choose Superlux HD-681; if you need tighter bass, stronger isolation and a single-sided cable that stays out of your way, choose Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. Both are wired over-ear headphones, so neither is a true "best sports earbuds for jogging" pick — but if you're sorting through headphone options for jogging and want to know which of these two fits, the answer comes down to fit, cable behavior and how much bass punch you want in your ears.
• Superlux HD-681 — biggest strength: a 50 mm dynamic driver with a 10 Hz–30 kHz frequency range and a detachable cable that ships with both a 1 m and a 3 m option, so you can match the cable to your setup.
• Superlux HD-681 — biggest trade-off: 32Ω impedance, no noise control, and a plastic build at 265 g — it's heavier than the Audio-Technica and does nothing to block outside sound.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x — biggest strength: a circumaural closed-back design contoured around the ears for sound isolation with minimal bleed, plus a single-side cable exit and a lighter 210 g body.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x — biggest trade-off: a 40 mm driver with a 15 Hz–20,000 Hz range and a fixed 3.0 m straight cable — no detachable option and no short cable for portable use.
• Who the Superlux is for: listeners who want an open, wide-range monitoring sound and the flexibility of swapping cables.
• Who the Audio-Technica is for: buyers who want isolation, a lighter fit for long wear and a cleaner cable run.
The Superlux HD-681 EVO is built around a 50 mm dynamic driver with a neodymium magnet, rated at 98 dB SPL per 1 mW with a reproduction band of 10 Hz to 30 kHz. That's an unusually wide stated range, and it's the headline reason to look at this pair. A 32Ω impedance and a 300 mW maximum input mean it's easy enough to drive from a phone or laptop jack but can also take a fair amount of power if you're feeding it from an interface.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-09 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The other genuinely useful design choice is the detachable straight cable. Superlux includes two — a 1 m and a 3 m — both terminating in a 3.5 mm gold-plated stereo mini plug. In practice, that means you can run the short cable at a desk or the long one across a room without buying anything extra. The housing is plastic, it's an over-ear design in white, and the whole thing weighs 265 g. There's no noise control at all, and the control method is listed as touch, which is worth knowing if you expected physical buttons.
Who should buy it: someone who wants a wide frequency range for critical listening, mixing practice or detail-spotting, and who values being able to swap between a short and a long cable. In my opinion it's the more interesting headphone of the two on paper.
Who should skip it: anyone who needs isolation on a bus, a plane or a noisy street. With no noise control and a plastic open-feeling over-ear build, outside sound comes in. And if you want the lightest possible pair for long sessions, 265 g adds up.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is positioned as an entry-level studio monitor for tracking and mixing. It uses 40 mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils, tuned for enhanced low-frequency performance. Frequency response is listed at 15 Hz–20,000 Hz, sensitivity at 96 dB, impedance at 47Ω, and maximum input power at 700 mW at 1 kHz.
The feature that actually changes daily use is the circumaural closed-back design. The earcups contour around the ears, which is what gives it sound isolation in loud environments with minimal bleed — a real advantage if you're recording a vocal take, tracking an instrument, or just trying to hear a beat over background noise. The single-side cable exit is a small detail that matters more than people expect: the cable hangs from one side only, so it doesn't drag across your chest or tangle under your chin. The cable itself is a fixed 3.0 m straight run with a left-side exit, and a 6.3 mm snap-on adapter is included for plugging into studio gear.
At 210 g it's lighter than the Superlux, and Audio-Technica states the ear pads and headphone material are built for extended wear. The listed controls are push-button volume, and the noise control is sound isolation rather than active cancellation.
Who should buy it: someone who wants a closed-back monitor for tracking, casual mixing, gaming or general listening where blocking out the room matters, and who wants a lighter fit for longer sessions.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants a detachable or short cable — the 3.0 m straight cable is fixed and long, which is awkward for walking around. And if you specifically want the widest possible treble extension, the 20 kHz ceiling is narrower than the Superlux's stated 30 kHz.
• Best for isolation → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. The circumaural closed-back design is explicitly built for sound isolation with minimal bleed.
• Best for wide frequency range → Superlux HD-681. 10 Hz–30 kHz versus 15 Hz–20,000 Hz.
• Best for cable flexibility → Superlux HD-681. Detachable straight cable with both a 1 m and a 3 m accessory, and a gold-plated 3.5 mm plug.
• Best for long sessions → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. 210 g versus 265 g, with pads described as built for extended wear.
• Best for low-end punch → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. Its drivers are specifically tuned for enhanced low-frequency performance.
• Best for studio gear hookups → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. The included 6.3 mm snap-on adapter is made for that.
• Best for cable management → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. A single-side cable exit beats a cable that hangs from both cups.
• Best for jogging → neither, honestly. Both are wired over-ear headphones with no water resistance and no secure sport fit. If jogging is your main use, look for actual sports earbuds; these two are for desk, studio and home listening.
If you're hunting for the best with microphone kids headset for jogging, neither of these fits that brief either — there's no microphone and no sport-secure design on either model. And if you want the best comfortable sports earbuds for jogging, that's a different product category entirely.
My Verdict
I'd buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. In my opinion, the closed-back isolation, lighter 210 g build, single-side cable exit and bass-tuned drivers make it the more practical everyday headphone for studio work, gaming and noisy rooms. The Superlux HD-681 wins on paper for frequency range and cable flexibility, and if you want a detachable cable and a wider stated band, it's a legitimate choice. But for jogging, neither is right — for that, buy proper sports earbuds. If you're ready to decide between these two, check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
Not necessarily. The Superlux states a wider 10 Hz–30 kHz range and a larger 50 mm driver, but the ATH-M20x has a closed-back circumaural design that isolates the room. For mixing in a quiet space, the Superlux's range is appealing; in a loud room, the Audio-Technica isolates better.
No. It uses a fixed 3.0 m straight cable with a left-side exit, and includes a 6.3 mm snap-on adapter. The Superlux HD-681 is the one with the detachable cable and the 1 m and 3 m accessories.
The ATH-M20x at 210 g, versus the Superlux HD-681 at 265 g. Audio-Technica also states its ear pads and materials are designed for extended wear, so it's the safer pick for marathon sessions.
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