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Claw SM90 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£45
Avg. price in US: ~$50
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Claw SM90 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.7

Good

5.4

Good

6.7

Good

2.1
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
2.3
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
3.2
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
10
Ambient sound mode
2.7
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
3.1
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
3.2
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

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Best rankings

Verdict

The Claw SM90 is a professional-grade, closed-back circumaural headphone featuring dual 50mm neodymium drivers designed for critical listening and studio production. It boasts an expansive frequency response range of 10Hz to 40kHz, 32-ohm impedance, and 97±3dB sensitivity, delivering a full-bodied sound with punchy bass and detailed highs. Key pros include its foldable ergonomic design with soft cushioned ear pads for comfort, a long 4-meter detachable coiled cable, and dual connectivity via 3.5mm and 6.35mm adapters. Some reported cons include bass performance that may occasionally lack depth on specific professional tracks and the potential for minor ear fatigue during extremely long sessions.

Technical Specifications of Claw SM90

Overall score

5.7

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Sound

6.2

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

3.6

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

N/A

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Connectivity

2.9

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

4.7

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

4.0

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

6.4

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Claw

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Claw SM90 vs the average headphone

Why is Claw SM90 better than the average headphone?

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Hi-Res Audio certification
Claw SM90 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
What it is: Certified for high-resolution audio playback
When it matters: When official support for high-resolution playback matters to you.
Importance: LOW
Claw SM90 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
10 mm larger driver size
Claw SM90 uses a larger driver size than the average headphone (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.
Importance: MEDIUM
Claw SM90 uses a larger driver size than the average headphone (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.50 mm vs 40 mm
20,000 Hz higher treble extension
Claw SM90 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Claw SM90 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.40000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
8 Hz lower bass extension
Claw SM90 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Claw SM90 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.10 Hz vs 18 Hz
Foldable design
Claw SM90 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
What it is: Earcups or headband can fold for compact storage
When it matters: When you travel often and want easier storage in a bag.
Importance: LOW
Claw SM90 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
2.8 m more useful cable length
Claw SM90 offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (4 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
What it is: Length of the supplied audio cable
When it matters: When your desk, TV, or audio setup needs more or less movement range.
Importance: LOW
Claw SM90 offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (4 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.4 m vs 1.2 m
18x higher input power handling
Claw SM90 has a higher max input power than the average headphone (1,800 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
What it is: Maximum input power the drivers can safely handle
When it matters: When you pair the headphones with stronger sources or dedicated gear.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=300 mW
Claw SM90 has a higher max input power than the average headphone (1,800 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.1800 mW vs 100 mW
Play while charging
Claw SM90 can play while charging, the average headphone cannot. 55.9% of headphones support play while charging.
What it is: Can be used while charging
When it matters: When you need to keep listening during long work or gaming sessions.
Importance: LOW
Claw SM90 can play while charging, the average headphone cannot. 55.9% of headphones support play while charging.
Foldable design
Claw SM90 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
2.8 m more useful cable length
Claw SM90 offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (4 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
Hi-Res Audio certification
Claw SM90 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
10 mm larger driver size
Claw SM90 uses a larger driver size than the average headphone (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
20,000 Hz higher treble extension
Claw SM90 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
8 Hz lower bass extension
Claw SM90 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
18x higher input power handling
Claw SM90 has a higher max input power than the average headphone (1,800 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
Play while charging
Claw SM90 can play while charging, the average headphone cannot. 55.9% of headphones support play while charging.
8 years newer release date
Claw SM90 was released more recently than the average headphone (2,025 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.

Why is Claw SM90 worse than the average headphone?

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37.6% higher weight
Claw SM90 is heavier than the average headphone (300 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Claw SM90 has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
6 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
Claw SM90 has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (97 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
No voice assistant support
Claw SM90 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
No voice assistant support
Claw SM90 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.
Importance: LOW
Claw SM90 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
37.6% higher weight
Claw SM90 is heavier than the average headphone (300 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Claw SM90 is heavier than the average headphone (300 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.300 g vs 218 g
5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Claw SM90 has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Claw SM90 has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
18.7% lower user score
Claw SM90 has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.74 vs 8.000).
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Claw SM90 has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.74 vs 8.000).6.74 vs 8
6 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
Claw SM90 has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (97 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
What it is: Output loudness level of the headphones, usually measured in dB. It helps compare how loud a model can play under similar conditions.
When it matters: When you need a rough idea of how loud the headphones can get before you pair them with a weaker source.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=108 dB SPL
Claw SM90 has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (97 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.97 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
2.41x less popular
Claw SM90 is less popular than the average headphone (1.92 vs 4.646).
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Claw SM90 is less popular than the average headphone (1.92 vs 4.646).1.92 vs 4.65

Graphic comparison of Claw SM90 and

Attribute category

Attribute

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Claw SM90?

High-resolution audio with an extended frequency response of 10Hz to 40kHz
Large 50mm neodymium drivers delivering punchy bass and clear mids
Comfortable for extended sessions due to soft cushioned ear pads and adjustable headband
Includes a long 4-meter detachable coiled cable and a 6.35mm adapter for professional gear
Foldable design and carrying pouch included for easy portability
Effective passive noise isolation from its closed-back circumaural design

What customers dislike about Claw SM90?

May cause ear fatigue or warmth during very long usage periods without breaks
Bass performance can vary depending on the track, which professional users might find slightly lacking
Does not feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Primarily plastic construction requires careful handling to avoid damage

Expert reviews

punemirror.com

03/10/2025

Claw SM90 Wired Headphones Review - Pune Times Mirror

The CLAW SM90 wired studio monitoring headphones are positioned as a robust, budget-friendly option for beginners, featuring 50mm Neodymium drivers and a 10Hz-40kHz frequency response designed for accurate audio monitoring. The design includes a durable, foldable, closed-back structure with a 4-meter detachable cable, suitable for both studio and portable use. While the headset...Read more

punemirror.com

03/10/2025

Claw SM90 Wired Headphones Review - Pune Times Mirror

The CLAW SM90 wired studio monitoring headphones offer 50mm neodymium drivers and a 10Hz-40kHz frequency response, delivering detailed sound suited for entry-level content creators and audio mixing. Priced competitively, they feature a durable, foldable design with a 4-metre detachable coiled cable and included 3.5mm/6.35mm adapters. While providing good value, the headphones rely...Read more

projethomestudio.fr

27/02/2026

10 of the Best Home Studio Headphones [2026]

The reviewed article covers 10 of the best studio headphones for music production, focusing on the critical choice between open-back and closed-back designs. Closed-back models are ideal for recording because they provide high acoustic isolation that prevents track bleed into the microphone. Conversely, open-back headphones provide a wider, more precise stereo image and natural...Read more

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