[Listening Test] Carry-on SH100 - closed folding headphones

Product: Carry-on SH100 - closed folding studio headphones
Manufacturer: Carry-on - UK/China
Approx. price: $/€40
Reviewer: Lucio Cadeddu - TNT-Audio Italy
Reviewed: July, 2026

Foreword

A few weeks ago, I reviewed the smaller sibling of this SH100, namely the FH50, a semi-open, fully folding headphone. All the background information about the company and its mission is already covered in that review, so I won't repeat it here. The SH100 is described by the manufacturer as a studio headphone, positioning it as a model better suited to professional use.

A closer look

What are the main differences between this SH100 and the more affordable FH50? To begin with, the operating principle. While the smaller FH50 is a semi-open design, this model is a fully closed-back headphone. The earcups, finished in eco-leather, are larger and almost completely surround the ear. The diaphragm is different as well: here it's a 50 mm driver, compared with the FH50's 40 mm unit.

The folding mechanism also changes. The FH50 could collapse into itself, making it extremely easy to stow away and genuinely portable. The SH100 is still described as folding, but aside from the earcups that can rotate 180°, there isn't much more to it. The cable is now detachable - and therefore replaceable - and longer: 3 m instead of 2 m. It's also thicker and more flexible. The headband is larger, padded, and covered in eco-leather.

Gone is the infamous felt pad that altered the frequency response of the smaller sibling. In its place sits an ultra-thin, non-replaceable acoustically transparent mesh. The SH100 is available in both black and white.

The declared sensitivity figure remains puzzling, as the ±3 dB tolerance typically refers to frequency-response variation, not sensitivity. It is, however, 1 dB higher than the FH50's stated value. Impedance is unchanged (32Ω), while power handling is significantly higher. The weight is inevitably greater, yet the 218 g I measured on a digital scale is still quite low for a closed-back headphone of this size. For comparison, the competing Superlux HD681 weighs 280 g - though that includes its non-detachable cable.

The SH100 is easy to wear and reasonably comfortable, although the feeling is naturally more intrusive than with the smaller FH50: it presses firmly against the ears (as expected for a closed-back design), which helps it stay securely in place. The headband is comfortable and sturdy. Compared with the FH50, the overall impression is that of a much more substantial, solid, and durable headphone. The price is nearly double, placing it in direct competition with the Superlux HD681, although that model is semi-open.

Listening

The most logical comparisons to draw are with the smaller FH50 and with the already-mentioned Superlux HD681. Compared with both, the SH100 offers better isolation - both from and towards the surrounding environment.

Let's start with sensitivity: this SH100 plays noticeably louder than the Superlux HD681, far more than the 1 dB difference the published specs would suggest. Since impedance is identical, the discrepancy must be attributed entirely to sensitivity.

The tonal balance also differs quite clearly: the HD681 remains the more open-sounding headphone, whereas the SH100 comes across darker, warmer and, overall, less defined. With the HD681 the presentation is airy and transparent; with the SH100 it feels more compact, with a fuller midrange, though not as clean. These are two very different approaches to music reproduction and, frankly, the one that feels more genuinely monitor or studio-oriented - to use that often-abused term - is the HD681. It reveals more nuances, more detail, and separates instruments more decisively. On the other hand, the SH100 delivers a more solid, grounded performance, with stronger bass presence, even if it's less articulated and not as deep.

In terms of dynamics, the two are broadly equivalent, while the ability to project an image slightly detached from the earcups is better on the HD681. To be clear, at this price point one shouldn't expect any remarkable soundstage holography - these are very inexpensive headphones - but I would still give the HD681 a small advantage, perhaps due to its more extended high range.

The direct comparison with the FH50 reveals two rather distinct personalities: the SH100 has a more prominent midrange, greater dynamic punch and speed, and better transient response. In the upper range, the FH50 - even with its stock felt pads - seems to offer a touch more definition. The sense of the sound being slightly freed from the earcups is also marginally better with the FH50, likely due to its semi-open design. And although its midrange is somewhat recessed (or perhaps precisely because of that), it feels less congested than on the SH100. Overall, though, I tend to prefer the SH100's more genuine, engaging, solid, and direct presentation. With certain music genres, especially rhythm-driven ones, the advantage is quite evident.

I've read a few reviews comparing these two headphones and, according to the “reviewer” (quotation marks absolutely mandatory!), their sound is practically identical. Perhaps their doctor prescribed to try reviewing audio components despite an obvious hearing impairment? The difference in voicing and character between the FH50 and the SH100 is simply glaring. Even without delving into subtler details that might challenge a non-expert listener, the contrast in midrange performance, dynamics, and transient speed should leave no room for doubt. If anything, one could argue that the smaller FH50 offers a clearly superior price-to-performance ratio. The SH100 costs more than twice as much, yet it doesn't sound that much better - certainly not enough to justify the price. And considering that the same budget buys you the Superlux HD681 which, although imperfect, is overall more accurate and faithful, the SH100 faces tough competition.

Remarks & Complaints

Manufacturing & Finish.
Compared with the FH50, the SH100 sits on a clearly higher level of finish and (at least apparent) robustness. The earcups are soft, enveloping, and provide a reasonably good seal to the outside world. As with the FH50, using a proper headphone amplifier isn't a bad idea if you want to extract the best performance. However, thanks to its good sensitivity, it also plays loudly enough from the headphone output of a decent smartphone. This is a fully traditional headphone, so there's no microphone and no Bluetooth. Apart from the cable - which, being detachable, could be upgraded - no other modifications are possible, unlike with the smaller sibling.
Sound quality.
The sound only vaguely resembles that of the smaller FH50, offering greater presence and solidity in the low range and a better-defined midrange. It lacks both the definition and the openness and mid-treble precision of its competitor, the HD681. For a headphone with studio ambitions, this shortcoming is somewhat significant.

Conclusions

If you're looking for a closed-back headphone that's comfortable to wear and budget-friendly, the Carry-on SH100 deserves serious consideration. Calling it a “studio” model may be a bit ambitious, but it does offer a solid price-to-performance ratio. What it lacks, however, is the sense of surprise delivered by its smaller sibling, which - at a truly negligible price - manages to achieve unexpectedly strong performance. The FH50 therefore wins in terms of sound quality relative to cost, even though the SH100 is, in absolute terms, the better performer across most parameters.

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Carry-on SH100 - closed wired studio headphones

An affordable closed headphone with a good value/price ratio

Foreword

A closer look

Listening

Remarks & Complaints

Conclusions