Guess my M's SUCK then hehe

I compared the 240, 271, BD 770 and BD990 with various pro sources at the store. The K240 I got are the studio version, 55ohm. They indeed suffocated some cheapo Teac cdp (and I suspect they would do the same to iPod) but they were fine with other sources the had on hand.

At home I use them with Benchmark DAC1USB and Bryston BP26. On both devices they sound as loud as HD650. They just seem to integrate music better TO ME.

I was originally planning on getting the 240S version, but after trying them on in store, the pain on my ears from the hard ear pads was too much to tolerate.

Quote:



Maybe I should try to buy a pair off of you-- I guess the K241 is an unusually good match for my ears somehow. First, though, I have to get back to Berlin to get my Sextett out of storage, so I can finally clean it up and get new pads to do it justice.

Whether I'd really like it better than an HD650 is a real question. I'm probably more of an HD600 guy, anyway, but I do like the 580/600/650 series-- maybe the only Senns I've tried that I like at all. Probably getting rid of my K240M, though.

Oh, and by the way, having heard all four K240 versions you list above and owning two of them, I completely agree with your order, though I think the "consensus" on the DF is mainly just your own weighty authority so far, the DF not yet having caught on like the Sextett. I even recall some old reviews attacking the DF as inferior to the M or S, which isn't the way I hear it.

Quote:



When I bought a pair of K240 (sextett) 1/2 a year ago I had that same reaction.

I have 3 pairs of AKG's and I would currently rate them in this order (varies from time to time)
1) K240M (I use them in portable setup with an amp)
3) K501 (really suck with my portable amp, timbres are wrong, but headstage is damn good)
2) K240DF (nice headstage, damn natural timbres but bass lacks a bit).

I noticed that Sennheisers are rarely used in studio. Beyerdynamic (DT100, DT150, DT250) and AKG (different species of K240 and K271) are kind of industry standard. That may talk for Sennheiser' less natural timbres.

Quote:



You must have enormous ears.

Because i have big ears, and mine mostly fit inside k240 pads.

Quote:



Picture?

You are nuts.
...or maybe not. You probably just prefer the K240 sound...

Clearly this just shows that with so many variables and personal preferences making purchases based on prices alone can be a bad idea.

Quote:



Yeah... I really think they deserve some care and attention. I was giving my custom amp project a good listen last night with the Sextetts after putting some AD843s back in it (was using OPA134s for a bit with unsatisfactory results), and kept thinking to myself how difficult it was to believe that the sound was so good. Better than I've heard the Sextett in the past... for my ears it is the "perfect" sound. Not 95%, or "close enough", it is what I've always wanted. The K241 is a very good headphone, I can recognize why somebody might like it more, but it did not wow me like it did you.



Quote:



I dunno... the majority of the people who I've spoken with who own/heard the DF and some of the other K240 versions seems to confirm the ranking order (and for those who don't, it's usually just "want moar bass" as the only reason). I don't really read public reviews, current or past, so there might be a different story there. I personally would put the K240M and K240S tied on the same level, with personal preference dictating which is better, but I put the list the way it is because of how often people I know who have a lot of experience rank the M higher than the S.

Quote:



That's actually Eric in his avatar. He has an unfortunate genetic disorder...

Quote:



I rate them the same way, except for the DF, which I've not heard. I am sure impressed with the 501 when it's properly amped, but the 600ohm 240M mates better with my amps, even my portable CD players. I don't find it hard to drive.

Anyone want to sell me some 600 ohm AKG's?

Seriously, I really miss my k240, and I think I might have to revisit the sound now that I have much better equipment.

Quote:



I don't know about that. I've bid on 5 or 6 DFs and I've always been out bid. I really want a pair, but obviously not as much as other people do. I keep kicking myself for not buying the NOS pair I saw last year for less than the price that they go for in auctions.