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The NEW AKG K550 First impressions. Added pics!

post #1 of 89
12/9/11 at 4:59am
Thread Starter 

I just got my hands on these babies..Just unboxed them..Quality is superb! Lots of metal and the pads are soft as a cloud.

 

So far all i can say bout the comfort is that is is absolutely ace for me, even when i wear glasses. Now to find cans that sits on your head with comfort has been a big issue for me..Guess i can check that off the list now :)

 

The sound? 

 

Well they sound very good, clear and the bass is well solid. I wouldn´t call them bassy atleast not for now. The bass is some what similar to my AKG k242HD. Not to much but it´s enugh. Im not a bass head and for me the quality is more important then quantity.

 

With this being a "dj" style can i was expecting the signature to be something like a more refined k518..Well to my surprise they feel more focused on telling the truth, but with no major exaggeration ether way. 

 

The highs are very very clear..Maby even a tad sharp at the moment with no burn in what so ever..If they blend in a little more to the overall package..Well oh lord this will be a lovely experience! 

 

Compared to the AKG k242HD this can sound more fun! With an overall build quality that is second to none with real metal and..well maby not real leather. This experience is positive in every way!

 

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Edited by Arvan - 12/9/11 at 6:19am
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post #2 of 89
12/9/11 at 6:50am

Good to hear they're not competing with Beats in the bass department... What kind of music do you listen to and how do you evaluate? Interesting to hear your comments, even though they're just fresh :) 

 

But bass-quality is good? You can hear the notes and they're not blurred? This is very important, mmm. 

 

Thanks and keep us posted! :)

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post #3 of 89
12/9/11 at 7:07am
Thread Starter 

I listen to blues, rock, jazz..black metal, metal..Well i eat em all! 

 

About the bass, Its is very controlled and the quality of the bass is very good and well articulated. No boomy exaggerated stuff going on here. Some might just ask for a tad more punch though. 

 

What i have for an amp right now is just the tiny Nuforce ikon..And it can just deliver that much. They are quite easy to drive but maby just the bass will get some more punch with some added power. 

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post #4 of 89
12/9/11 at 8:34am

I'm under the impression that the 125Hz hump from the K242HD is missing on these cans so they're less "veiled" sounding as a result. Is that true?

 

I have both open and closed midrange AKGs (K142HD, K171 Mk II) and the closed cans sound better... more detail and clarity. So I figure the same applies here.

 

About the bass, any amp you use should have less than 4 Ohms of output impedance or there'll be some low-end rolloff. I have the NuForce Icon HD, which is excellent but has 10 Ohms output impedance. I played with a uDac2-HP which only has about 6 Ohms output impedance but it didn't sound as good as my onboard audio. So the quest for a suitable amp for you may continue a while.

 

If I were you, I'd get a JDS Labs Objective2 and change the hi/low gains to 1.6x/1x (the defaults are a massive 6x/2.5x). That way you can run the perfect amount of voltage for both of your AKGs and not overburn the drivers, and it freely delivers gobs of current. You also get less than 1 Ohm output impedance. Everyone who has one likes it a lot.


Edited by funkmeister - 12/9/11 at 8:45am
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post #5 of 89
12/9/11 at 12:24pm

Can you please do some noise isolation tests? I'd love to use these for a portable setup but I'm used to IEM level isolation. If they come close it'd be good enough :/

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post #6 of 89
12/9/11 at 2:42pm
Thread Starter 

I have not done any scientific isolation tests..But i use in-ears both when i´m home and on the move. I would say they seal off outside noise rather good. Maybe not as good as in-ears but close enough. I have not taken these cans for a walk yet.

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post #7 of 89
12/9/11 at 2:56pm

 

Quote:
With an overall build quality that is second to none with real metal and..

 

Which parts are metal and which parts are plastic ?

 

Thx :)

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post #8 of 89
12/9/11 at 3:13pm
Very excited for these. Do they have a retail price yet? Obviously it will fluctuate greatly, but I really want to hear what these have to offer compared to my Q701s.
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post #9 of 89
12/10/11 at 12:27am
Thread Starter 

Headband and hinges are metal. The cups has some metal parts on them. the "back cover" where the AKG logo is located, seems to be milled aluminum. Probably to give that extra reliability to where the hinges connect.


Edited by Arvan - 12/10/11 at 12:31am
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post #10 of 89
12/10/11 at 12:29am
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In sweden where im located the retail is about 369 dollars if i convert SEK to dollars..You guys as allways? will have em cheaper? :D

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post #11 of 89
12/10/11 at 8:16am

 

Quote:
Headband and hinges are metal. The cups has some metal parts on them. the "back cover" where the AKG logo is located, seems to be milled aluminum. Probably to give that extra reliability to where the hinges connect.

 

Thx a lot for details.

 

Quote:

In sweden where im located the retail is about 369 dollars if i convert SEK to dollars..You guys as allways? will have em cheaper? :D

 

Currently in France between 280-299 euros, I thought Sweden switched to the euro.

 

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post #12 of 89
12/10/11 at 8:53am
Thread Starter 

Thank god no euro :D

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post #13 of 89
12/10/11 at 8:55am

biggrin.gif

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post #14 of 89
12/11/11 at 11:32am

So nice to hear someone actually has a pair in their hands! I hope you are able to provide more impressions/comments as I slowly tick off the days until my K550's arrive. Being from canada and ordering through headphonebar, we've also been subjected to the continuous delay that the rest of the world has.  I sent off an email to the new AKG distributors in canada, JAM Industries, and this is the reply I received:

 

"Dear Jay, They are forecasted for the end of December however we do not have a confirmed ETA yet. This is the best I can give you, hopefully this gives you some hope!"

 

Unfortunately, until I see my order as being shipped from headphone bar, that does not qualify as hope.

 

**Also, price here in CAN set at $249


Edited by virtual xi - 12/11/11 at 11:36am
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post #15 of 89
12/11/11 at 11:40am

Very cool looking headphones.nice review. Where ever did you find the sculpted plastic/glass head the phones mounted on?

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