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Audio Technica ATH-M50 vs AKG 242 HD

post #1 of 21
4/9/11 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 

I wanna know what's better in both headphones. I know I have to "feel them both for myself" but I wanna know YOUR opinion.

 

So please, let me know everything about them that you like/dislike.

 

P.S. The price on these are the exact same here in Sweden, so I don't wanna hear anything about that "SQ for the price".

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post #2 of 21
4/9/11 at 6:15pm

they have different sound signatures so they will give different listening experiences

 

the m50s are more bass heavy with slightly recessed mids, nice highs

 

dont know much bout the AKGs, but they are supposed to be more mid centric (vocals more pronounced) and more neutral

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post #3 of 21
4/9/11 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrBapti View Post

they have different sound signatures so they will give different listening experiences

 

the m50s are more bass heavy with slightly recessed mids, nice highs

 

dont know much bout the AKGs, but they are supposed to be more mid centric (vocals more pronounced) and more neutral


 

Okay, well that is  a huge leap forward for the m50s, im more of a bass-head and only listen to song with heavy bass..

 

Would you recommend these for a hi-fi rookie?

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post #4 of 21
4/9/11 at 6:43pm

In the AKG you'll find a sound signature that is a bit midrange centric, suprisingly strong and deep bass response, and a slightly rolled off upper frequency(meaning highs that are not harsh).  It's a neutral sound that is both smooth and very non-fatiguing.  The thing is, if you're used to or prefer a sound that is aggressive or more in your face(Grado's forte) then you might find them a little boring or a tad polite.  Other than that, it's a capable headphone that handles quite a few genres pretty well.


Edited by Digital-Pride - 4/9/11 at 6:56pm
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post #5 of 21
4/10/11 at 10:25am
Thread Starter 

Well the question is, are these worth the big 250$ price tag they have here in sweden? They both are exactly 250$ here in Sweden, maybe I should expect too see many headphones being expensive in Sweden..

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post #6 of 21
4/10/11 at 11:25am

In that case, how about the K240 studio or MKII versions?  They are virtually the same as the K242HD and can be found for much less.

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post #7 of 21
4/10/11 at 11:36am

K240s are basically the same as the K242HD and the MKII, they're ~50€ on German ebay.

But beware, the velour pads are worth every cent. So if you snipe a set with pleather pads... spend some money on additional pads.

 

Oh yeah, back to topic. The K242HD are IMHO the better all-round cans, you'll hear the difference as soon as there is a person singing.

Plus, the K242HD aren't quite neutral (still far more neutral than the m50s) they pack quite a solid bass (a tad to much for me) and sparkle a bit in the highs.

Somewhat bath-tub style... which is quite popular atm...

 

Still, I like 'em and prefer the to most ~150€ cans around here.

 

But... both are great, the m50 is closed, the k242HD is semi-open.

If you plan on using it portable go for the m50s, else... throw a coin :P


Edited by roBernd - 4/10/11 at 11:44am
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post #8 of 21
4/10/11 at 11:39am

do the AKGs need an amp to drive properly?

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post #9 of 21
4/10/11 at 1:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by roBernd View Post

K240s are basically the same as the K242HD and the MKII, they're ~50€ on German ebay.

But beware, the velour pads are worth every cent. So if you snipe a set with pleather pads... spend some money on additional pads.

 

Oh yeah, back to topic. The K242HD are IMHO the better all-round cans, you'll hear the difference as soon as there is a person singing.

Plus, the K242HD aren't quite neutral (still far more neutral than the m50s) they pack quite a solid bass (a tad to much for me) and sparkle a bit in the highs.

Somewhat bath-tub style... which is quite popular atm...

 

Still, I like 'em and prefer the to most ~150€ cans around here.

 

But... both are great, the m50 is closed, the k242HD is semi-open.

If you plan on using it portable go for the m50s, else... throw a coin :P



I actually am planning on using it for portability.. As I spend alot of the time on the train/buss.

 

Well the truth be told, I'm a hi-fi rookie, I don't know much really. What I use now is AKG518LE, and from these I know I can trust the AKG mark to be good.

 

But from what I've seen, the m50's are rather famous in head-fi, and the only negativity ive seen on them is that they might get sweaty.

 

My biggest problem though is that, mostly why the m50's are so loved here is because they usually have a 120 - 150$ price tag. But here it's 250$.

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post #10 of 21
4/10/11 at 2:00pm

I used to have the AKG k272 hd but returned them after three weeks. I got me the ATH M-50:s instead.

I find the M-50:s to be much more enjoyable. Deeper bass. Fuller sound with more "body".

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post #11 of 21
4/10/11 at 2:30pm

If you plan on using your headphones outdoors then the semi-open K240/2 would probably not be ideal as others have stated.  If you want to stay within the AKG family, how about the K271 MKII?  Or pehaps Sennheiser's excellent HD448?  With the Sennheisers you'll get a nice smooth balanced sound(from what I've read) that that really belies its price point, 

 

@sandwichman1973, the M50 are expensive where he is located(Europe, 250 euros) so they would not be a good recomendation based on price.


Edited by Digital-Pride - 4/10/11 at 3:14pm
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post #12 of 21
4/10/11 at 2:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Digital-Pride View Post

If you plan on using your headphones outdoors then the semi-open K240/2 would probably not be ideal as others have stated.  If you want to stay within the AKG family, how about the K271 MKII?  Or pehaps Sennheiser's excellent HD448?  With the Sennheisers you'll get a nice smooth balanced sound(from what I've read) that that really belies its price point, 

 

@sandwichman1973, the M50 are expensive where he is located(Europe, 250 euros) so they would be a good recomendation based on price.

 

I live in Europe too. And i find the ATH M-50 to be a better head phone than the k271/272 (at the same price).
 

 

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post #13 of 21
4/10/11 at 2:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Digital-Pride View Post

If you plan on using your headphones outdoors then the semi-open K240/2 would probably not be ideal as others have stated.  If you want to stay within the AKG family, how about the K271 MKII?  Or pehaps Sennheiser's excellent HD448?  With the Sennheisers you'll get a nice smooth balanced sound(from what I've read) that that really belies its price point, 

 

@sandwichman1973, the M50 are expensive where he is located(Europe, 250 euros) so they would be a good recomendation based on price.



I guess that make the k240 not an option for me..

 

Considering sennheisers, I don't really like them.. They sound too natural for me. Like I don't feel I get that boomy sensation when I use them. And not to sound cheesy, but every sennheiser headphone looks so awful. I know that looks aren't important for many here on head-fi, but for me I feel it is. I'm only 18 years old and for me, looks are very important.

 

But I think I'll go with the m50's. They seem like the perfect choice for me. They're sexy, have good sound and are pretty portable.

 

Thanks for your responses!!

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post #14 of 21
4/10/11 at 5:19pm

Bro.. find something else.. The M50's aint worth $250... Seriously. thats more than double of what Americans pay. Find a headphone that is capable of similar performance to M50 and is worth a lot less so you can get the best bang for the buck.. cuz M50 for 250 aint sounding good as of now to me..


 

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post #15 of 21
4/10/11 at 5:41pm

Maybe try the sennheiser hd 25-1 ii, they don't sound like your typical senns

 

Much more forward with some punchy bass, plus they are very portable

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