[Ishcabible]

http://www.akg.com/pro/p/k182
 
Seems like AKG has created a successor to the K181DJ. Really interested to see if anyone's tried it because I think the K181DJ is the among best values under $100.
 
Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1201288-REG/akg_k182_professional_closed_back_monitor.html
 
The only review is from here: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/70912-akg-k182-studio-headphones-review.html
 
Pictures stolen from hardwarecanucks.com for the lazy:


 

Design	Closed-back
Driver	50 mm
Frequency Range	10 Hz to 28 kHz
Sensitivity	112 dB spl/V
Maximum Input Power	500 mW
Input Impedance	32 ohms
Cable	9.8' / 3.0 m - 99.99% oxygen-free cable
Connectors	1/8" / 3.5 mm gold plated jack plug 1/4" / 6.35 mm screw-on adapter
Dimension	Not specified by manufacturer
Weight	9.0 oz / 255.0 g

 

[Eddyfcknp]

I saw that on B&H and it looked very promising. 

 

[Ishcabible]

  I saw that on B&H and it looked very promising. 

 
Yeah, the K181 is bassy but doesn't sacrifice its midrange. If AKG improved on the original formula I could see this being a huge hit. Portable foldable design, sturdy detachable cable, and the pads look significantly comfier than the pleather disks the K181 had.

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

So $99, detachable cable, 50mm driver, likely sounds like the K181DJ, and looks pretty good. We might have a budget winner.

 

[Ishcabible]

So $99, detachable cable, 50mm driver, likely sounds like the K181DJ, and looks pretty good. We might have a budget winner.

Yeah, I had a few problems with the K181 like some treble grittiness possibly caused by pad reflections or something but with the new pads, they may sound even better.

If I didn't blow so much money today on other stuff I'd have bought these to try

 

[fiddler]

I liked the K518.

 

[plakat]

Always liked the K181DJ... but for its pads.  That aspect seems to have improved with this one, looking forward to try them out. On order.

 

[bassboysam]

mine are on the way. I'm very curious how these will sound.

 

[plakat]

Got them today. Nice looking, but they show a gap between parts of the headband when stretching it out, just like the Focal Spirit Professional. Overall they feel a bit plasticky, but that may be expected in their price range. Cups could be a bit thicker material, the back feels rather thin. Quite comfortable, pads are not as big as with the K7xx series, but are over-ear for me, deep enough and not too soft. Mini-XLR is solid, the straight cable may be too long for mobile use but OK otherwise. Folding flat, very welcome. Large L/R markers within the cups, just like the K550 series has.
 
Sound is nice, bass is a bit much, not bad for electronic but too much for me anyway. I miss treble extension with them and hear a bit too much upper midrange/lower treble, which makes them a bit shouty. Not too detailed and a bit closed in. Overall a fun sound signature with clear emphasis on bass without sounding dull or dark. Works fine with an iPhone, pumping out much more volume than I'd ever use. Isolation seems quite good, so mobile use should be no problem.

 

[bassboysam]

that's too bad about them feeling plasticy and cheap.

 

[Ishcabible]

  Got them today. Nice looking, but they show a gap between parts of the headband when stretching it out, just like the Focal Spirit Professional. Overall they feel a bit plasticky, but that may be expected in their price range. Cups could be a bit thicker material, the back feels rather thin. Quite comfortable, pads are not as big as with the K7xx series, but are over-ear for me, deep enough and not too soft. Mini-XLR is solid, the straight cable may be too long for mobile use but OK otherwise. Folding flat, very welcome. Large L/R markers within the cups, just like the K550 series has.
 
Sound is nice, bass is a bit much, not bad for electronic but too much for me anyway. I miss treble extension with them and hear a bit too much upper midrange/lower treble, which makes them a bit shouty. Not too detailed and a bit closed in. Overall a fun sound signature with clear emphasis on bass without sounding dull or dark. Works fine with an iPhone, pumping out much more volume than I'd ever use. Isolation seems quite good, so mobile use should be no problem.

 
Thanks! How are they compared to the K181?

 

[plakat]

Thanks! How are they compared to the K181?

Regarding comfort the K182 is far ahead due to the wider pad openings. Unfortunately it lost almost all of the rubber parts which felt better than the plastic exposed on the K182.

Regarding sound I'm sorry, the K181 is long gone from my collection and I can't say anything specific.

 

[bassboysam]

mine just arrived. lots of plastic .

i am a bit disappointed that the mini xlr and jack are also plastic. just need to be careful with them i guess.

clamping force is a little too much for me, they'll need some stretching out. ear pads are nice and soft. just big enough to be a over ear for me. they don't leak much, isolation is pretty good and the'll do the trick when travelling or noisier environments.

i don't find the bass to be too much. maybe a little elevated with a fun rumble but I've heard bassier headphones. i find the Fidelio X1 has more bass and less mids than the k182. treble is not harsh and these are just very early impressions direct from an ipod G6.

also they don't have a very closed sound with weird artifacts that i hear in other budget cans.

 

[bassboysam]

a couple of hours listening.  The cable is too long for a portable headphone.  The headband is not the most comfortable, a little hard and made the top of my head a bit sore, (note: i am bald, someone with a thick head of hair may not notice this).
 
The more music I listen to the more I am noticing recessed mid-range.  guitars and vocals sound a bit distant and thin.  The bass is still not over powering, it goes nice and deep.  some songs will rumble when called for, a fun headphone for sure.
 
Hoping the midrange comes out a bit more over time.

 

[Ishcabible]

Aw man, that's really disappointing. The mids on the K181 were what impressed me the most. They weren't especially good but it was one of the few bassy headphones in its price range that wasn't a deep V.