[earfonia]

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Are you serious about this review my friend?

Oh yes, of course, I'm serious

But it all boils down to personal taste.  We all have different taste.  What I can say, when looking for IEM under $50, please try HD381F (and the grey HD381B for more extended highs) if possible.
For me, currently I'm using Hippo Shroom more then HD381F, due to sound isolation and better high clarity.  HD381F has better bass and warmer and fuller mids.  Hippo Shroom has better sound isolation, detail, clarity, and highs.  Looks like my taste has move towards more clarity and transparent treble, that's why I like Hippo Shroom, and recently bought Shroom EB (Extra Bass).  Shroom is better for classical music (which I listen most), better clarity, detail, and instrument separation.  While HD381F, is a better all-rounder, better bass, fuller midrange, better for pop music and other genre that sounds better with good bass support.
 
 
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Well, you can hardly say it's a FOTM because hardly anyone has listened to these earphones (this thread was started months ago). All I can say at this point is that these IEMs have a sound quality that is well beyond its price range. Superlux seems to be a specialist in this respect. Its full-sized headphones, the HD668B, got a rave review from Mike at Headfonia and were very well received here on Head-Fi as well, comparing well against full-size mainstays like the K240, AD700, and MS1.
 
Well, instead of going the other way around, the HD381Fs were the reason why I bought the HD668B. That's how much I like the sound. Is it a true keeper? It's hard to tell, because the build quality leaves a lot to be desired, and the isolation is poor. It probably depends on individual taste.
 
In terms of sound quality, however, I'm convinced that it is a keeper, at any price range. It won't give you the most minute micro-details, and won't give you in-your-face vocals, but it is one of the flattest earphones I've ever come across that doesn't come across as boring.
 
I don't really have time to do a systematic review as of right now (I'm a med student in the middle of an anatomy segment), but when I get the time, I'll definitely post something up.

I agree, HD381F has SQ beyond its price range.  Most friends bought it, satisfied with it.  I also agree HD668B is not as impressive as HD381F, it lacks the dynamic that makes people tap their foot.  HD668B is too soft and polite.  I've most of the Superlux line, HD668B, all the three HD662 series, HD669, & HD660.  If I have to pick, I pick HD662 (the red line) and HD669.  HD662, despite the cheapest, maybe a better all-rounder from the rest, it sounds musical.  The next would be the HD669, a bit more refined than HD662, but also sounds a bit more analytical, and a tad less mid bass than HD662.  But both HD662 and HD669 sound pretty close side by side.
 
I haven't tried HD681 which is also popular, maybe soon

 

[tomscy2000]

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I also agree HD668B is not as impressive as HD381F, it lacks the dynamic that makes people tap their foot.  HD668B is too soft and polite.  I've most of the Superlux line, HD668B, all the three HD662 series, HD669, & HD660.  If I have to pick, I pick HD662 (the red line) and HD669.  HD662, despite the cheapest, maybe a better all-rounder from the rest, it sounds musical.  The next would be the HD669, a bit more refined than HD662, but also sounds a bit more analytical, and a tad less mid bass than HD662.  But both HD662 and HD669 sound pretty close side by side.
 
I haven't tried HD681 which is also popular, maybe soon

Technically, I like the 668B more than the 381F because it's so polite and analytical

Maybe that's also why I like the UM3x more than you.
 
Also, not to get off topic, but yeah, the 681 is the 'musical' version of the 668B, so you might like that one. I've tried all of them, and while the 662 is nice, it doesn't have the detail and clarity the 668B/669 offer. The 681 is a decent compromise, but there are three versions like the 381s too, and I haven't tried the F version, only the 681 and 681B, with the B version offering better transparency IMO.
 
Back on topic, I agree that the 381F can use better treble control. I used to have some small issues with distortion and harshness (well, more like lack of refinement), although they've toned down to an acceptable level with a few hundred hours of burn-in time. Using better tips also helps control the treble.

 

[earfonia]

 
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Technically, I like the 668B more than the 381F because it's so polite and analytical

Maybe that's also why I like the UM3x more than you.
 
Also, not to get off topic, but yeah, the 681 is the 'musical' version of the 668B, so you might like that one. I've tried all of them, and while the 662 is nice, it doesn't have the detail and clarity the 668B/669 offer. The 681 is a decent compromise, but there are three versions like the 381s too, and I haven't tried the F version, only the 681 and 681B, with the B version offering better transparency IMO.
 
Back on topic, I agree that the 381F can use better treble control. I used to have some small issues with distortion and harshness (well, more like lack of refinement), although they've toned down to an acceptable level with a few hundred hours of burn-in time. Using better tips also helps control the treble.

I see

  Thanks for the info!  Will try the HD681 series when got the chance

 

[Mohjong]

Thanks for the review.  Based on it I went and bought HD381 to replace the UE700 I accidentally broke while on the bus (they never let the passengers settle down and just floor it after shutting the door).
I bought mine at the famous Guang Hua Digital Plaza.
Without bargaining the price is NT550 (USD 18.25).  I'm sure if you bargain a little you can bring it down to NT500.
I also agreed that the sound is clear and crisp.  Bass is strong but not overwhelming.  But the cable quality reminds me that I'm using a sub $20 IEM. 

 

[earfonia]

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Thanks for the review.  Based on it I went and bought HD381 to replace the UE700 I accidentally broke while on the bus (they never let the passengers settle down and just floor it after shutting the door).
I bought mine at the famous Guang Hua Digital Plaza.
Without bargaining the price is NT550 (USD 18.25).  I'm sure if you bargain a little you can bring it down to NT500.
I also agreed that the sound is clear and crisp.  Bass is strong but not overwhelming.  But the cable quality reminds me that I'm using a sub $20 IEM. 

Glad you like them  Maybe you can share a bit of comparison with your UE700

 

[tomscy2000]

Oh wow, that's even cheaper than when I bought them. I had to bargain down to 600 NT. I bought them at the audiophile section of streets (Hankou/Kaifeng/BoAi) under Taipei Main Station. But yeah, second that cable quality thing. These are my second pair of HD381s because the first one had a cable break. I did mention before in a previous post that the build quality felt like it came out of the bargain bin at Pic-N-Save.
 
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Thanks for the review.  Based on it I went and bought HD381 to replace the UE700 I accidentally broke while on the bus (they never let the passengers settle down and just floor it after shutting the door).I bought mine at the famous Guang Hua Digital Plaza. Without bargaining the price is NT550 (USD 18.25).  I'm sure if you bargain a little you can bring it down to NT500. I also agreed that the sound is clear and crisp.  Bass is strong but not overwhelming.  But the cable quality reminds me that I'm using a sub $20 IEM.

 

[ru9]

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 As for the detail and clarity, you can compare them with BA drivers

 

 
Are you saying that the sound signature of the Superlux is the same as the BAs?

 

[AudioHipster]

Hey Thanks for this post... very informative... after reading this post I ordered the HD381 to try in the studio and offer with headphones and MIPRO wireless MI-808T/R, very impressive Thanks.
Cheers
Doyen 

 

[Amarbir]

@ Earphonia ,
   Well This Was a great review ,thanks man .I also share the same viewpoints in few brands that i sell in india .I Am Getting This And Would Love To Comment Once i Get The Same In Hand  And Listen To This .

 

[Ashayuni]

currently listening to my 381f, i must say at first i had a hard time finding its perfect fit to my small ears and it seems hard to replace the stock rubber pads...as of now i cant remove it, i might break it on the process but overall sq is perfect..i burned it for 40+ hrs for a better listening experience.

 

[raweechote]

Thanks for the info!

 

[whoelse]

Is the 381F the earphone version of 681F?

 

[tomscy2000]

If you mean sound signature, yes, any 'F' model Superlux is meant to have the most neutral sound, but the 681F and 381F don't sound very much alike
 
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Is the 381F the earphone version of 681F?

 

 

[whoelse]

That is really a good thing they dun sound alike..
 
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If you mean sound signature, yes, any 'F' model Superlux is meant to have the most neutral sound, but the 681F and 381F don't sound very much alike
 


 

 

 

[earfonia]

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Is the 381F the earphone version of 681F?

No, they don't sound alike.  Just for the sake of analogy, if HD381F is Sennheiser, HD681 is Beyerdynamic.  HD381F has good bass to midrange area, while rather soft in treble, HD681 has a bit V shape tonal balance, good bass and sparkly trable, with rather thin midrange.