Samson SR850 Review: Budget Studio Headphones Worth It?
Few budget headphones have inspired cult-like devotion, but the Samson SR850 Professional Studio Headphones have been repeatedly hailed as “the best kept secret” by audiophiles and gamers alike. Scoring an impressive 8.0/10 across aggregated community and expert reviews, they deliver studio-class detail at a price that often dips below $40—though comfort and build are recurring caveats.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Spacious soundstage ideal for mixing and gaming | Small ear cups feel more “on-ear” than over-ear |
| Detailed, bright sound profile reveals recording imperfections | Treble can be overly harsh, causing fatigue |
| Very good frequency response consistency | Mediocre build quality; all-plastic construction |
| Velour pads included on many listings prevent sweat buildup | No isolation; leaks audio significantly |
| Lightweight and affordable | Non-detachable cable prone to wear |
Claims vs Reality
Samson markets the SR850 as “professional studio reference” headphones with “solid bass response” and “ultra-clear highs.” In theory, that should make them a versatile tool for recording, mixing, and general listening.
Digging deeper into user reports, that “solid bass” is more about clarity than quantity. Reddit user feedback repeatedly notes: “Not a ton of bass but it’s more like bass clarity along with the sound” — an asset for mixing engineers but less satisfying for bass-heads looking for thump. RTINGS measured slightly underemphasized low bass, consistent with semi‑open design trade‑offs.
The promise of “complete comfort” is also contested. While several Sweetwater reviewers wear them “for hours and hours with no discomfort,” others point out the cups are too small. One buyer explained, “the actual hole in the middle of the pads is only 2 inches… they sit on top of my ears, not around them.” Comfort improves for many after swapping stock pads for aftermarket cushions like Brainwavz XL.
On “accurate headphone monitoring,” feedback gives Samson credit: they render detail so honestly that flaws in a mix stand out instantly. A Trustpilot review recounted, “my music friends noticed that my mixes were better… the only thing I changed was starting to use these headphones.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The SR850’s biggest win is sonic performance per dollar. Whether used for FPS gaming, piano practice, or full-blown studio mixing, owners laud the balance and staging. A Reddit poster described them as “comparable to $100-150 ones” and particularly valuable for gamers: “They’re semi-open so you have a decent soundstage for FPS games… pin pointing where a sound is made is no issue.” Sweetwater customer Hunter S. compared them favorably to the industry-standard ATH-M50s, keeping the Samsons for critical work because “bass guitar frequency response is unbelievable.”
Studio users appreciate their transparency. The semi-open driver design presents vocals and instruments with clarity, and imaging is spot-on, making them a reliable reference point. RTINGS found “excellent imaging performance” with accurate instrument placement, while Quora expert Peter Susic called their sound “absurd… they blow everything under $100 out of the water.”
Common Complaints
Comfort is the Achilles heel. Reports of ear fatigue surface after one to two hours, often due to cup size and clamping pressure. Glasses wearers feel it more; some users resort to pad replacements. Breathability is also weaker than competing semi-open sets, trapping noticeable heat. A Russian owner summed it up: “очень тугие… начинают болеть уши” (“very tight… ears start to hurt”).
Build quality draws frequent criticism. The lightweight plastic feels cheap, and the non-detachable cable is a vulnerability. Sweetwater user Dave S. admitted their “pads do not completely cover my ears” but kept wearing them for the sound, later noting the cable was “a mile long” and prone to getting caught under chairs.
Divisive Features
Brightness in the sound profile splits opinion. Some mix engineers love the treble lift, which helps expose sibilance and subtle artifacts; others find cymbals and “S” sounds piercing over time. One Trustpilot reviewer warned: “quiet lows… oooo very loud highs.” Bass quantity is similarly divisive—Gamers chasing explosions may want more low-end heft, but pianists and string players praise the uncolored reproduction.
Trust & Reliability
While there are occasional complaints of counterfeit units or poor sound quality (“отвратительная китайская подделка” – “disgusting Chinese fake”), the majority of long-term owners report solid reliability. Reddit threads mention pairs lasting years without major degradation, even with daily use.
Minor durability tips emerge—avoiding cable strain and considering pad replacements early keeps them performing well. One redditor confessed to destroying their first pair by rolling over the cord with a chair but immediately buying the same model again.
Alternatives
Comparisons consistently bring up competitors like the Superlux HD668B and AKG K240. The HD668B offers more neutral tonality and larger cups but needs pad upgrades for comfort; several Redditors feel the SR850 edges them in bass clarity and housing sturdiness. The AKG K240 MKII wins on comfort and soundstage openness but costs more—worth it if fit and build outweigh sheer value.
For closed-back alternatives, Samson’s own SR950 retains a similar tuning while isolating better, though it sacrifices stage width.
Price & Value
Current eBay listings hover around $39–$49 new, with pre-owned units dipping below $20. Amazon prices fluctuate from $33 to $50, and Redditors note steals as low as $29. Resale holds decently because of their cult reputation, particularly among beginner audio engineers and gamers seeking budget “audiophile” sound.
Buying tip: Seek listings specifying velour pads, as not all come stock. Those add comfort and sweat resistance without extra spend.
FAQ
Q: Are the Samson SR850 good for gaming?
A: Yes, for soundstage-heavy genres like FPS, they excel. The semi‑open design helps pinpoint audio cues, though they won't isolate you from room noise.
Q: Do they require a headphone amp?
A: No. With 32Ω impedance and high sensitivity, they’re easy to drive from PCs, consoles, or mobile devices.
Q: How comfortable are they for long sessions?
A: Comfort varies. Light clamping helps, but small cups can cause ear fatigue. Pad replacements are a popular fix.
Q: Do they block outside sound?
A: Very little. Expect significant sound leakage both ways—better suited for private spaces.
Q: Can they be used for mixing and mastering?
A: Yes. Their detail and balanced mids/treble make them a strong budget choice for studio work, revealing mix flaws others might mask.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a budget-conscious gamer, aspiring audio engineer, or musician who values detail over thumping bass. Avoid if you need isolation for public use or have low tolerance for treble brightness.
Pro tip from community: Pair them with aftermarket velour pads for a comfort boost—it’s the tweak most long-term SR850 fans swear by.
