AKG K301 Xtra

AFAIK, they're basically a slightly better and more comfortable alternative to the HD485. I think they're semi-open with 32 mm transducers. Looking at the frenzy, err, frequency response, they'll probably "rock" better than HD555s but I wouldn't really consider them particularly neutral. These slight dips and peaks in the response probably are effects of the semi-open design (damped resonances, similar to what some Grados have). There is quite a bass dropoff below 50 Hz, and the harmonics look similar to, say, the K240S' (a little euphonic). Not that bad a deal for what they sell for over here, at 99$ there's quite a bit of competition.

If you're more into acoustic (or electronic) music, in this price bracket I'd look into HD590 refurbs. It's not dead neutral, but no further away than I'd still call acceptable (I once listened to an "old" DT990 and thought, "Huh, where'd the mids go?"), and it's that deviation which makes it sound particularly good on things that are "airy" or "spacious".

I have them. I don't have an amp so I can't say how they'd sound amped but they're fairly hard to drive. They sound OK but you can do better for the money. Only reason I still have mine is because they're comfortable and work OK for video games and movies and the place I bought them wouldn't let me return them.

I tend to prefer AKG to Senn, but whoah I wouldn't put the K301xtra over the HD485. KSC-75 beats a K301 in my book. Don't be fooled by the appearance, these cans are not up to snuff. And notice that although Becky's review is titled "Breathless Perfection", she also says that she prefers the K240S. A grain of salt.

i use my AKG K301 Xtra straight from my PC. only thing i can say they slightly lack in bass else they're very good; they're sound neutral and honest, very little veil if any.