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Member Reviews: AKG K 550

Positive Reviews

Bagheera

Comparison Review: AKG K550 vs Audio-Technica ATH-A900X & ATH-A9X

Posted
By Bagheera

Pros: Linear, smooth bass with great extension. Manages to sound fairly neutral while still maintaining good musicality.

Cons: Multiple issues in treble region. Mids are thin and lack body or presence.

Comparison Review: ATH-A9X, ATH-A900X, AKG K550 Edition 2   I have decided to update this review, not only because I've spent some more time with both the K550 and the A900X, but because I found frequency response measurements for both of them on Golden Ears. I know not everyone likes the way they measure, but since there are no professional reviews of A900X other than on DigitalVersus, and since you shouldn't compare measurements taken by different websites/reviewers, I felt this was the best course of action to take.  I have also updated/adjusted several observations in the sound quality section, a lot of which I feel is much more quantifiable now that I have reliable...
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Negative Reviews

rhythmdevils

AKG K550 Review - An attractive and well built closed headphone that has many strengths, but ultimately falls short on sound quality.

Posted
By rhythmdevils

Pros: Looks, Build Quality, Decent tonality and fairly flat FR from midrange down to bass, no treble emphasis, decent soundstage for a closed headphone

Cons: Serious peak and resonance in one spot in the upper mids ruins an otherwise decent headphone

  First Impression   When I first listened to these headphones, my initial two thoughts in this order were: 1. Wow these sound pretty fast and also fairly even - 15 seconds later - 2. Wow something is wrong with the upper mids     Packaging who cares   Build Quality/Aesthetics These headphones feel very well built.  I can't speak to their longevity or durability, but they are nice to hold, feel sturdy, the movements are tensioned well and feel solid, there's no creaking of cheap plastic.  The finish feels durable and well made.  One of the better headphones out there IMO for it's apparent build quality and finish....
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More Reviews

a_recording

AKG K550: A Good Can with some Rough Edges

Posted
By a_recording

Pros: Comfortable, spacious open sound, great build quality

Cons: Very sensitive to seal, overall lean sound, somewhat raw treble, slightly heavy

Along with the summary below, I have posted a Youtube video review of the K550. If you like the video, check out my channel for more reviews :)     Summary   BUILD   The AKG K550 has excellent build quality, with a great fit and finish and a solid, durable feel to the materials. The earpads are very large and may not fit everybody's head; despite being very comfortable and supple the earpads are sensitive to seal and small changes to positioning will affect the already quite lean bass. The headband padding is quite sparse and because they are quite heavy, after a few hours they may make the top of your head a little sore.   SOUND  ...
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Juantxo

So happy with my first quality cans

Posted
By Juantxo

Pros: sharp looking, perfect bass for my taste, comfortable,

Cons: no detachable cord, long very long cord, maybe a bit too much treble

I am completely new to this forums and headphones; and not an audiophile at all. But I truly enjoy listing to good quality music.   I was looking for very very long time, scanning forums and all over internet trying to find the best headphones to start enjoying music with better quality.   I never tried any of the other headphones so I wont be making comparisons; but IMO this are great headphones to start with, I am very happy.   I confirm what others say about these not fitting right, way to wide, I do have a big melon as a head; and still they feel like just there, my wife has to press the cups to feel the difference. I've seen people bending the band, which...
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Jackula

A comparison with the HD600

Posted
By Jackula

Pros: Transparency, soundstage, treble

Cons: Comfort, perfect seal

This is my first review so please be gentle!   When you first put on this closed headphone, you'll be stunned how wide the soundstage is. Compared to my open Sennheiser HD600, the soundstage is equivalent! (though the HD600's soundstage is slightly deeper).   The K550 also trumps the HD600 in so many aspects including transparency, clarity and dynamics. On the other hand, the HD600 trumps in bass slam and comfort.   There is plenty of bass in the K550, but it's not as textured as the HD600 and as for comfort, the cups are really comfortable but the headband requires more padding.   The amp I used to to compare the HD600 and K550 was an Aune T1 with...
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Larppan

Well done AKG

Posted
By Larppan

Pros: sound quality, design, materials,

Cons: permanent cable

Maybe the best closed headphones for this price.  Very well designed. I´m very pleased about the design, it´s simple, elegant, clean but still extremely cool. There´s not much plastic on the headphones, almost everything is either magnesium or steel. They feel pretty though so they hopefully dont brake that easy. Earcuffs are soft, very soft leather and it feels really good on ears. Overall the design is very good!   Then the sound... Well what can I say... I really love the sound of these headphones, its well balanced, nicely bright and still so smooth. I just love them.    
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DolbyDan

AKG K550 Has Bass!!

Posted
By DolbyDan

Pros: Great for R'n'B and Hip Hop.

Cons: Top end can be a tad harsh, fit isn't perfect.

My last set of cans have all been Sennheiser's, (except a pair of Shure SRH550's which were very thin and uncomfortable).   Sennheiser Momentum's were top of my list next to the HD598's.   My music tastes are very vast, but commercial, varying from Boyz II Men, Bruno Mars, to Bon Jovi, Kings of Leon, to Biggie and Jay Z.   My normal listening kit are Monitor Audio speakers, Quad L sub and Yamaha amplification, which has a very good sound-stage, outstanding clarity with very deep musical undistorted bass.  This is what I was looking for in headphones.   I demoed the Sennheiser Momentum's against my old Shure's and Dre Pro Beats.  To be...
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Gendarme

Quite nice closed HP

Posted
By Gendarme

Pros: nice isolation, comfort, design

Cons: i miss open HP signature in sound, Highs is quite in backround

Litte bit bassy headphones, bass go deep enought. Highs can be better. Mids not bad. But i havent fully burned pair of these nice HP. _____________ I am Gradist :-)
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Krisman

So open you forget they are closed back

Posted
By Krisman
Having owned quite a few closed back headphones I have never experience the open sound these AKGs produce. Yes they may be light on bass but they excel in every other quadrant. Detail, tone and space ooze from these headphones and draw you in. At this price point I would dare to say they are unmatched if you want a truly uncoloured musical listening experience. One snag is people with smaller heads may not get a good seal around the ear cups which will ruin the experience. Try before you buy!
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IGarrettS

My Daily Cans

Posted
By IGarrettS

Pros: Clear, Articulate, Powerful, Wide sound stage, Easily driven, So Comfortable, Extremely solid build quality and $300!

Cons: Long cable (braided it, perfectly fine)

I have loved these headphones since I picked them up out of the box. They are mostly metal with thick, soft, leather pads and sit on your head very snugly (and if they don't for some reason you can bend it slightly, feel free to message me if you have questions). They produce excellent sound and with a solid burn in it only gets better. The soundstage will open up and the overall sound quality improves greatly. However, one annoyance for me was the long cable which I just braided, afterwards no problem at all. Also I bought an extra pad for the headband for when I want a super snug fit and I highly recommend getting one...
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Tim Maestas

Love 'Em

Posted
By Tim Maestas

Pros: Amazing for vocals and high quality live recordings. Batman approves of the styling.

Cons: Bass light. Comfort.

I love mine! They're great with most genres. I wouldn't complain if there were a tad more bass, but it's really not all that lacking. While the earpads are super comfy, the same can't be said about the headband. It's a bit flat on the top, and not incredibly padded, so unless you've got a similarly flat dome, long hours can cause some tenderness up top. Again, not terrible, but just a note. One thing about wearing them out, and I you will be worrying far too much about banging them on something (only downside of them being so darn good looking).
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Anhoblack

AKG K550 REVIEW

Posted
By Anhoblack

Pros: Sound is spotless. Design is nice and clean. Like Crocs are to your feet, the AKG K550 is to your head, nice and comfi.

Cons: No detachable cable.

When i first saw the AKG K550 i was blown away. The design was so unique and very good looking and when i listen to them i was blown away just more. I bought them without hesitation and hurried home with my new badboys. I have now had them for 3 months, and i have been happy for them every day since. I wish that hearing them was a part of  this review, because the sound is phenomenal.   Sound quality: The bass is very deep, soft and round without getting muddy. The mids is extremely rich and powerfull. The highs is 100% clear. Overall this headphone sounds terrific. Some even say that they sound like an open hedphone, but i would not say so that they do. I understand...
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Where to Buy It

Amazon.comAKG K 550 at Amazon.com$247.99See It »
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