does it have foam disc in front? i found each model has a different density foam disc that covers the outer layers of the driver. pulling the foam out on my k601 seem to give it bit more clarity and make the top-end less relaxed tame bass down bit though but still find the bass extension perfect without any type of accentuation.i think might have do how the driver is design and how the outer layers react to the type of filtering from the foam.

Mine is an early production version which has the all-metal plug and leather headband.  I think it was the later production models which had the foam inserts.  

Early K500s also had a removable filter cap:
 

 

What effect does that have?

since it's on the dome,i am making a rough guess it limits with the bass department maybe? i can't say since i never used a k500. atleast it doesn't cover the whole outer driver and parts of the white acoustic filters like my k601. i'm gonna try to cut a bigger hole later in the foam so the full driver is exposed and not just the dome and see how that affects it. i know removing it completely tames the bass down a bit and adds more clarity due to increase of the top-end becomes more pronounced. sound brighter but doesn't bother my ears really since i listen always at moderate to low levels.

hi, today I bought a pair od K500s, they have all metal plug, but no dome over speaker. They also looked as they have never been opened in 20 years
 

I needed new pads for my K500 and it seems there's only one type available for the K400, K401, K500 and K501 series. They're black and the part number is 2458M0404. The old pads were grey, the new ones are shiny black. I know there've been discussions about the merits of each model's respective pads, but if only one type is supplied by AKG... Chime in if you have any experience to share.
 
The new black pads definitely change the sound. The old ones were soft and probably absorbed/let out some of the sound. The sound tightened up with the new pads, cleaner and more controlled. I like it. With the mod I did (taping over half of the paper covered vents) I prefer the K500 over the other three mentioned above. In fact it's the headphone I've been using the most, lately (with the HP50 close behind).
 
 
Old pads.
 

 
New pads.
 

 
 
Comparison of pads.
 

 
 
Note that the new pads have a denser screen, but - more important - a foam gasket at the rim acting as bass seal.
 

 
Tape mod which made the sound less diffused and more balanced through-out the spectrum (smoothed out the presence peak).
 

I often switch my K500/K400 pads and in general I prefer the K400 pads on both headphones.  They look very similar to the black pads you have.  Can I ask where you ordered the replacement pads from?  I have called AKG before and they said that parts for the K500 were no longer in stock but I could order K70X pads, but I would prefer to keep the old style.  It's hard for me to decide which between the K500 and K400, both have their own merits and draw backs but both a still very underrated and not as well known as they should be.
 
Could you elaborate on why you prefer the K500 over the K501?  
 
cheers 

Originally Posted by tdogzthmn /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Could you elaborate on why you prefer the K500 over the K501?  
 
cheers 

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That's a question that begs for a simple answer, and I cannot supply one. After my tape mod they are similar, but I feel the K500 is more "together" and alive. The "space" factor is a bit more realistic. I simply prefer it.
 
I listen a lot to 1950s and 1960s recordings, like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett (Songs for the Jet Set right now), Burt Bacharach etc, often recorded live in a studio, and the sense of presence is marginally better with the K500. It shines with classical music as well.
 
By reputation I expected the K501 to be the superior headphone, but that was not the case. One has of course to consider the three different baffles of the K501, discussed here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/227052/official-akg-k501-version-count/45
 
My taped K500 has a baffle quite similar to the version 1 of the K501, which is the one I own:
 

 
There are a lot of factors involved concerning the difference in sound, the driver being the most obvious one, which must be taken into account.
 
I won't let the other three go - I might change my mind about them, which has happened before. All are interesting and good sounding.

Quote:

tdogzthmn said:

I often switch my K500/K400 pads and in general I prefer the K400 pads on both headphones.  They look very similar to the black pads you have.  Can I ask where you ordered the replacement pads from?

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I bought them locally but they're available from Thomann:
 
http://www.thomann.de/se/akg_k501_ohrpolster.htm
 
Still sounds seductive after several weeks of continual listening. Dynamic with a very convincing soundstage and natural reproduction of acoustical instruments. You can almost touch them.
 

Quote:

mdr30 said:

Still sounds seductive after several weeks of continual listening. Dynamic with a very convincing soundstage and natural reproduction of acoustical instruments. You can almost touch them.
 

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I second that. Wonderful stage, transparent and neutral sound. I must say that I use these for all kinds of music, not just Jazz and acoustic instruments; I listened to hours and hours of electronica and studio productions of all kinds - these headphones simply depict what's there, that's my impression.

What is the "right" price to pay for a pair of k500 in mint condition?

bracko said:

What is the "right" price to pay for a pair of k500 in mint condition?

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I bought mine for 50 euro about a year ago.

Quote:

qazxsw80 said:

I bought mine for 50 euro about a year ago.

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Thank you. I'd like to try this headphone. Maybe a head-fier is interested in selling one 

What a coincidence, I had decided to get these headphones as well. Then was outbid, eh.