Superlux HD330
The Superlux HD330 is an entry-level open-back released by the Chinese brand a few years ago. Similarly to other Superlux or Takstar headphones, it got some popularity for the good price-performance ratio.
Most owners used the HD330 with Beyer DT770 velour pads, more comfortable than the stock pleather pads and adding better sound balance. The HD330 is not very hard to power, with a 150 Ohm impedance and around 96 dB/mW. It’s pretty much a DT770 clone with slightly worse build and feel.
○ Release : 2013
○ Current status : In production
○ Type : Over-ear / Open-back
○ Measured weight : 310g
○ Impedance : 150 Ohms
○ Sensitivity : 96 dB/mW
○ Average used price : $20-30
Sound Impression
The HD330 is a fine sounding headphone if we consider its price (less than 40€/$). Overall balance is a bit warm and V-shaped.
Bass is elevated, mostly around 100hz, but flawed by poor sub-bass extension and too much bloom. Lower-mids are quite strong, drowning the midrange timbre. With stock pads, upper-mids are a little peaky. With DT770 pads, they’re smoothed out. Treble is lacking some +10khz extension and sparkle, and has some forwardness around 7-9khz, but not as annoying as some Beyer cans.
Soundstage is decent, but technicalities are not great compared to midfi headphones (but hard to fault the Superlux considering the value). Too compressed sounding, a bit dull. But cheap, very comfortable and not too hard to power. I mostly used it for movies and gaming. I would probably prefer a Koss Porta Pro to the HD330 on a daily basis.
Measurements & Resources
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/superlux-hd-330-experiences-and-discussion.684424/
