Akg K400

The K400 was quite a nice headphone - I liked it better than the K500, then. It sounds fairly similar to the K401/501. If it's in good shape, US$ 40 should be ok.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

They really need an amp to perform at a decent level if they are similar to the 401's. Most headphone jacks cannot properly power them.

*digs thread out of grave*

What does anyone else know about the K400? I know Fitz and Megawzrd both picked up some NOS K401 from TTVJ a while back. People say the K400 sounds similar to the K401. I have also heard people say that K400 was superior to the K500. Fitz mentioned that he liked the K401 more than the K501.

My question is, would anyone say the K400 is superior to the K501? I really liked the K501, but felt it wasn't superior enough to the K601 in the long run to keep. The sound was great, with decent bass (I felt like mine had more bass than others). I did feel the K501 did blues better than the K601, but jazz was definitely better on the K601 so I sold the K501. From what I read the K401 sounded closer to what I was looking for. I wonder how the K400 stacks up?

There is even a pair on eBay right now that I am watching. I was really curious what others knew about this phone. Anyone?

I answered your PM.. did you get it?

Yes I saw your message. I am intrigued by the K400. How you would compare the build quality to the K401? Personally I like the color sceme of the K400 much more than that of the K401. Black and silver is actually similar to the K601. Do your K400's also have the gold plug like the below? It looks almost aftermarket, but the strain relief makes me think otherwise.

(cough)

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=210305

ps, AFAIK, they all came with that gold dual-plug (1/8" with screw-on 1"4 adapter), which was pretty standard on AKGs in the nineties. They do benefit from amping, but they don't really require it to sound good. It's essentially the same frame as the 401/501 (i.e., excellent build quality), with broader claimed frequency response than either. They have no bass problem at all. I think they can hold their own in the current $100 bracket, but I'd be surprised if they were as good as a K601. I mean, essentially they are the K601, two refreshes ago. Though I've heard both headphones, I've never had the chance to A/B, so I can't say for sure-- Fitz, care to enlighten us?

Ya that is what I have been trying to figure out. I didn't feel the K501 offered enough to keep them, considering I have the K601. I felt the K501 had some strengths when it came to blues, and they were an insane value, but I still felt OVERALL that the K601 was superior. I think the K401 or K400 might have been more what I was looking for. You mention the K400 as being a headphone, "perfectly suited to long non-focused listening punctuated with analytical moments". That is the best description I have seen for my type of listening at home. When I want to grove to my music I usually bust out the K81DJ for some serious thump and rolled off highs.

I'll have to compare them to my K601.

Did you win the K400 yet? I agree that they look great, for me the purest looks of the whole x00/x01 line. I'll be interested to hear if they can stand up at all to the K601, but either way at least they'll be a good backup for it.

both my 400 and 501 are out on loan currently, and the 400 is a recent addition here, but having briefly listened to the 2 of them side by side i'd say they are awfully close in look, feel, and sound. so if you like the 501 you should like these and if it's not your cup of tea then you should pass on the 400s. Fitz, do you concur?

Well I got them. The box was beaten up as they had said, but the headphones looked perfect and even smelled new (like plastic and chemicals, not someone else). They sound very nice. Definitely what I wanted out of the K501, but non of its weaknesses. These things straight out of the box have more bass than the K501, but it is still very tight and punchy. They also aren't quite as peaky. The build quality on these is a slight step down in some ways (rubber headband), but superior in other ways (the wire and plug).

I am very pleased with this purchase. Hell they even look slick, with their vintage "K400" labels and all black design. The driver actually looks somewhat like a Grado driver (or Koss for that matter). Transperent plastic with the ribs on the out edget. The baffle on my pair looks like that K501 photo posted where every 'opening' is punched out, with the white cloth behind them. Still sound great though. I might have to finally pick up another set of K601 pads and foams for these babies. Sweet cans for $95 and brand spanking new!

Thanks for the report, VR6. I'll back everything you say about them. $95 for a perfect condition pair is very reasonable IMO.

ps, x2 on what Lini says below about the headband. Reconstituted leather for me.

Your K400 has a rubber headband? Strange... Mine has a black leather strip, which one can also see depicted on my box.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini