There are headphones that are better for commuting, working, and traveling, and there are headphones that are better for critically examining music, whether that be listening for enjoyment, mixing audio, or editing audio. The Samson SR850 fall in the latter group. The SR850 are reference headphones, so they’re optimized to expose tiny details (good or bad) in the audio you’re listening to.
These headphones are incredibly affordable and a great entry point for budding audiophiles and students or hobbyists learning to mix and master audio. The SR850’s semi-open ear cups allow for air passage, opening the soundstage and lending an open and airy sound. Their open-ear cups make them less ideal for recording audio — you’ll want closed-back studio headphones for that. Additionally, their open-back design means they’re not ideal for commuting or listening in public areas.
The Samson SR850 sport a self-adjusting headband and velour ear pads. They aren’t the most comfortable, but that’s expected for their $50 price tag. You get a 3.5mm to 3.5mm headphone jack and a screw-top 6.3mm adapter. With a 32ohm impedance, these headphones are incredibly easy to drive, making them a great option for beginners.
When I tested the SR850, I used them for casual listening in my living room. I found the sound profile was exaggerated in the treble, which took some time to get used to. Still, I heard smaller, more minute details in my favorite songs that I’d never heard before.
Overall, if you can’t or don’t want to spend hundreds, if not thousands, on higher-quality open-back headphones, the Samson SR850 are for you.
Samson SR850 tech specs: Form factor: Semi-open, over-ear | Bluetooth: N/A | Battery life: N/A | Driver size: 50mm dynamic | Noise cancellation (in dB): N/A | Wired option(s): 3.5mm headphone jack, 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter