AKG K167 TIËSTO - Discussion, Impression, Review & Appreciation Thread - Page 64  

Just got the K167s delivered today.  I'm definitely no audiophile as I've been perfectly content listening to streaming audio over a pair of twenty dollar Sony's for the past couple of years, but based on the dozen or so headphones I've listened to over the past couple of weeks, these definitely could sound better right out of the box.  I've started the burn-in process with pink noise from simplynoise.com, so hopefully the sound will improve over the next 16-24 hours.  If it doesn't, then I think these headphones are exposing issues in playback that others were masking.

 

For the price, the build quality could be better.  The resistance on the right slider is a lot less than the left, so there's a tendency for the right side to collapse back into the headband as I stretch apart the cups to put them on (same problem alpha10 had).  The headband is in three sections.  The center section is made of a softer and somewhat flexible material, but the two outer sections are of hard plastic.  The joints between the three sections do articulate.  Isolation and earpad comfort is quite good and the level of clamping force means it doesn't feel like I'm wearing a set of vise grips.  These will certainly stay put.  I think the hinges will hold up with use because of the way the cups rotate while wearing therm, provided they aren't stretched too much while putting them on and off.

 

Anyway, so far so good and I can't wait to see what the next couple of days will bring.

I think pink noise is a great idea. But I must say the true changes all happened after easing in more bass, and gradually more volume. I'd personally recommend 8-10 hour pink noise, then 10-20 hours of more bass orientated music gradually getting louder and more electronic until its loud to listen to but not unbearable. This is what I did, and now 20-24 hours in they sound FANTASTIC. Not only more detailed, but the bass boost on my amp has to be lowered more n more from my initial 6 (3rd increment on an e17) to now 2 (first increment). The bass on these is very satisfying. I had second thoughts prior to break in too.

Error
Edited by mrbigsby - 12/13/12 at 11:54pm

Error
Edited by mrbigsby - 12/13/12 at 11:55pm

iPhone having a brain fart, sorry!
Edited by mrbigsby - 12/13/12 at 11:54pm

Lemme guess.... you pressed send and it didn't update your screen?

Not your phones fault. That bug happens when you have 2 ads on your screen surrounding the page number button on the mobile site....

Like this:

Don't ask me why... Took me a while to figure that one out. The admins know about it.
Edited by Doc-holliday - 12/14/12 at 12:04am

Yeah that was it!

I let these burn in 8 hours overnight so far. Some distortion has decreased. I listen to music on the louder side. I like good sounding phones that can tickle my ears with bass. Hopefully by 20-30 hours time these can deliver great sound loud without distortion. Otherwise, I'm happy with how the highs sound.

AKG K167 TI

Yes, it does seem the concerns over build quality has taken a life of its own.

True, these are not the most rugged/heavy-duty phone made, but one person broke theirs who admittedly is rough with his equipment. There are most definitely better made phones at this price point.

Having said that, I'm not sure how many would sound like these at their price point. Of course, we do all have different taste, but for sub $200 US these sound better than anything I have tried. Personally didn't think these sounded poorly out of the box, just a little high on the treble, but I like treble. I have about 50 hrs on mine now, and they really do sound awesome.

I think it took one to have problems and a bunch of people asking about build quality that has raised the concern level. I have a pretty big head and these haven't made any sounds to scare me. They do feel stiff but I am also careful with anything over $150, as I want it to last. I am looking for a case as I don't feel secure throwing these in a backpack or messenger bag, but I wouldn't feel comfy with that with MDR V6 or M50s either.

 

I'm not having any problem with the build quality. It is fine. Sound is wonderful. Even that slight nasal mid seems to be smoothing out. And AFAIC, the bass is nigh well perfect. Balanced, full and transparent, the opposite of bloated, foggy and muddy. I love it.

I just hope my pair arrives next week. I went with the cheapest shipping choice to keep the cost down.

Beagle how do you feel about the K167 compared to the K550 now that the mids are improving?

What headphones are in competition with the K167's at this price point? People in the forums are stating these sound similar or better than the D2000/D5000s. I wasn't a huge fan of the Denons to be honest. I have the AKG181s and I love them. I am hoping the 167s will grow on me.