I have Sennheiser HD555, Grado SR60, and Shure SRH440 headphones.  I was looking into possibly trading in one of these for the AKG K240 (original, not mk2).  How does it compare to the headphones i currently own?  - I listen to Hip Hop, rock, alternative.  I usually listen on computer or IPOD.

AKGs in general and K240 in particular are not really synonyms with hip hop/rock, etc
This is not to say they're going to sound bad, or worse than what you own, just different and maybe slightly out of place. 
They excel on acoustic music first and foremost.

X2!
 
Quote:

audiofil said:

AKGs in general and K240 in particular are not really synonyms with hip hop/rock, etc
This is not to say they're going to sound bad, or worse than what you own, just different and maybe slightly out of place. 
They excel on acoustic music first and foremost.

Click to expand...

 
Quote:

audiofil said:

AKGs in general and K240 in particular are not really synonyms with hip hop/rock, etc
This is not to say they're going to sound bad, or worse than what you own, just different and maybe slightly out of place. 
They excel on acoustic music first and foremost.

Click to expand...

I disagree.  I use Sextetts for classic rock, indie/college rock, progressive, jazz, blues, classical.  I don't find a problem with their presentation with any of those. 
 
I know there is a very large sentiment here on Head Fi that certain headphones might be better with one genre of music or worse with another.  I personally don't understand that concept at all.  A headphone either sounds good or it doesn't.  To me the genre of music simply doesn't matter.
 
webegrubbin: you now have HD555, Grado SR60, and Shure SRH440 headphones.
 
I love Grados: see my sig.    But I had heard one example of the SR60i previously, and I didn't like it.  The SR80i and every other Grado I've heard had a more satisfying low end to me.  I could suggest you at least try the SR80i or the Alessandro MS1i. 
 
I haven't heard the 555 yet but I have the HD535's and I kinda like them.  (That's why I want to try the 555's.  And ... you are aware that you can take a piece of foam out of the 555's and essentially have the 595's?) 
 
As for those Shures, I've had those and the 840's and didn't like either one of them.  I found both had a tilt from not enough bass/low end to very nice mids to a little too bright for me highs.
 
If I were you, I'd trade the Shure's.  And I've found the current K240S (Mk II) gets you about 90/95% of the way to the old Sextett, but with a more recent design.  But I have one MP pair of Sextetts that are simply magical in their presentation.  A very nicely balanced headphone IMO !!

X3
 
In fact the K240 would probably be the last set of cans that I would reach for when listening to hip hop or rock, instead it would be my DT770/80s and MS1i (modded of course   ) respectively.  For Clapton or something like Elton John though the K240 may be the first.
 
 
Quote:

lejaz said:

X2!
 
Quote:

audiofil said:

AKGs in general and K240 in particular are not really synonyms with hip hop/rock, etc
This is not to say they're going to sound bad, or worse than what you own, just different and maybe slightly out of place. 
They excel on acoustic music first and foremost.

Click to expand...

 

Click to expand...

Listening to Flotsam and Jetsam's Desecrator right now, with the K240 Sextett MP.  I think they work really well for rock.  They work well for any guitar based music.  I also think they are fine for hip-hop, but I'm not really a fan of the genre.