Best Headphones Under $50 — Samson SR850 Review (2025)

If you’re hunting for the best budget studio headphones that actually sound like studio gear, you’ve probably come across the Samson SR850. They’re everywhere — forums, YouTube, AliExpress — all calling them “the best cheap studio headphones.” I bought a pair, tested them for a week straight, and here’s a full, honest review — with everything you need to know before you buy.

My Quick Verdict

If you want an open, detailed sound and a real “studio monitor” experience for under $50, the Samson SR850 delivers — no question.
But they’re not perfect: the highs are too bright, and comfort is hit or miss. Still, in 2025, it’s hard to find better sound quality at this price.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2 / 5)
Best for: Home mixing, music production learning, honest sound on a budget
Not for: Long sessions (comfort issues), vocal recording (sound leakage)

Unboxing & First Impressions

You can order the SR850 either with or without the original box. Save yourself the headache — get the boxed version. It costs a few bucks more, but without it, you risk receiving crushed headphones during shipping.

Inside the box:

• Samson SR850 headphones
• ¼” adapter
• Attached 3.5 mm plug (gold-plated)
• Long 2.5-meter straight cable

The unboxing feels basic but genuine — typical for pro-audio gear in this price range. The packaging screams utility over luxury.

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Build Quality & Design

If you’ve ever seen the AKG K240, you’ll instantly recognize the SR850 — same self-adjusting headband design, same semi-open back structure, and almost the same frame silhouette.
The entire body is made of thick plastic, but surprisingly sturdy. No squeaks, no loose joints.

The velour ear pads are a highlight — soft, breathable, and far better than the fake leather pads you get on most cheap headphones. They don’t trap heat, even after longer sessions.

It’s clear that Samson focused more on functionality and comfort than looks. The design isn’t fancy, but it works.

Comfort & Fit

Now here’s the tricky part. While the velour pads feel good, the headband pressure is noticeably tight — especially after 45–60 minutes. There’s no manual adjustment; it’s an auto-adjusting elastic band, so it stretches to your head, but can feel snug for bigger heads.

That said, they’re lightweight, and the breathable pads keep them from overheating your ears.
You can work comfortably for short sessions — but don’t expect to mix for 3 hours straight without taking a break.

Comfort rating: 3.5 / 5

Sound Quality — Detailed Breakdown

This is where the SR850 truly stands out. For under $50, the sound quality is shockingly good — far better than you’d expect from a budget headphone.

Specs

• Drivers: 50mm
• Impedance: 32 Ω (works fine on laptops, phones, and audio interfaces)
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 30 kHz

Let’s break it down by frequency range:

Bass (Low Frequencies)

Tight, clean, and surprisingly accurate. The SR850 doesn’t boost the bass like typical consumer headphones. It’s honest — what’s in your mix is what you’ll hear. No extra rumble, no fake warmth.

Kick drums and sub-bass lines are well-defined, but not overpowered. This makes them great for mixing electronic or acoustic genres where low-end balance is important.

Mids (Midrange)

The mids are detailed, clear, and slightly forward. Vocals and guitars come through nicely, but the upper mids can sound a bit sharp, especially on poorly mixed tracks. If you’re sensitive to that 2–5 kHz range, you’ll notice it.

Highs (Treble)

This is where the SR850 divides people. The highs are bright — very bright. Cymbals, sibilance, hi-hats, and reverb tails all pop out in a way that’s useful for spotting mix issues, but tiring for long listening.

You’ll often find yourself lowering the high EQ or taking a short break to reset your ears. Still, for analytical listening, it’s better to have “too much” than “too little.”

Soundstage & Imaging

The semi-open design gives the SR850 a wide, airy soundstage that’s rare under $50. You can actually hear instrument placement and reverb space — things most budget headphones smear into a blur.

Stereo imaging is excellent — left/right separation feels natural, not exaggerated.

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Mixing, Monitoring & Real Use

Here’s the deal — no serious audio engineer mixes only on headphones. But if you’re learning, producing at home, or editing podcasts, the SR850 is one of the most reliable reference tools you can get in this price bracket.

However:

• They’re not ideal for recording vocals or instruments, since the semi-open design leaks sound into the mic.
• For mix correction, EQ, and detail work, they’re excellent.
• If you mix on monitors, keep SR850 as a secondary reference — they’ll reveal brightness or harshness your speakers might miss.

Pro tip

If the highs feel too aggressive, apply a gentle EQ dip around 6–8 kHz. You’ll instantly get a flatter, smoother tone.

Everyday Listening

Outside the studio, the SR850s are surprisingly fun for movies, YouTube, and gaming.
Their clarity makes dialogue pop and spatial effects feel immersive.

However, because they’re semi-open:

Sound leaks both ways (people around you can hear your music).

They don’t block background noise.

So they’re not for travel or office use. They’re built for quiet rooms — plain and simple.

Comparisons (Under $50)

Headphone	Type	Sound Signature	Comfort	Best For	Price
Samson SR850	Semi-open	Bright, detailed	Medium	Mixing / Home Studio	~$45
Superlux HD681	Semi-open	Balanced mids, softer highs	Better	Reference listening	~$40
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x	Closed-back	More neutral	Good	Recording / tracking	~$49
Behringer BH470	Closed-back	Warm, bassy	Medium	Casual use	~$35

The SR850 dominates in clarity and openness, while the ATH-M20x offers more accurate tracking isolation.

If you prioritize detail and stereo space — SR850 wins. If you prefer comfort and less ear fatigue — Superlux HD681 might edge ahead.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent detail and stereo imaging
• Clean, controlled bass
• Breathable velour pads
• Lightweight design
• Unreal price-to-performance ratio

Cons

• Bright treble (can be fatiguing)
• Tight headband pressure
• Plastic build
• Sound leakage (not for recording sessions)

Final Verdict

The Samson SR850 isn’t just “good for the price.” It’s genuinely good, period. For around $45–$50, you get a headphone that can compete with models twice its price in clarity and soundstage. It’s a near-perfect choice for:

• Home studio beginners
• Hobbyist music producers
• Anyone who wants a second, honest-sounding pair for referencing mixes

Just remember — they’re bright, semi-open, and not built for travel. But if what you want is pure value and accuracy, this is it.