[nw130d]

Agreed, it is like you can hear the colour of the tubes. Maybe it is the flat freq response of the 550 that help with this?

 

[Vartan]

AKG K553 PRO 

  Leatherette with slow retention foam, replaceable!
 
finally we can get new earpads for K550

 

[rwpritchett]

What have they changed for the K553?

 

[EvilKillaruna]

Only name I guess.

 

[lawrecedent]

What have they changed for the K553?

I know I thought exactly the same. The pics on AKG's website look identical to the K550. Must be "under the hood" improvements. Also couldn't find a link to replacement pads.

 

[rwpritchett]

Going off K601 to K612 Pro and K702 to K712 Pro comparisons, we can probably expect a tweaked sound signature. I'm definitely interested. Any word on availability?

 

[nw130d]

On AKG's website for K553 "Only available in the USA"
 
Looking at driver spec it is exactly the same as K550, same 3 meter none detachable cable as well. Housing looks exact same in photos to the K550. If any changes would only be dampening...

 

[Shaffer]

If K553 is more transparent and a bit warmer sounding than the K550, I'm interested, as well. Couldn't care less about the foldable feature.

 

[nw130d]

 
Looks exactly like the K550. AKG prob renamed it so they can increase profit out of an old design. As the K550 have been dropping in retail price over the years (like most headphone products).
 
It be really difficult to make a headphone warmer yet more transparent using the same driver. Normally warmer signature yields less perceived detail and transparency.

 

[Shaffer]

Looks exactly like the K550. AKG prob renamed it so they can increase profit out of an old design. As the K550 have been dropping in retail price over the years (like most headphone products).

It be really difficult to make a headphone warmer yet more transparent using the same driver. Normally warmer signature yields less perceived detail and transparency.

Are we sure it's the same driver, and if it is, we don't really know if it's implemented identically? Just sayin'. As for warmth and and the asserted lack of detail and transparency, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Never mind the LCD2.

The AKG spokesman calls the cans a "brand new design." Make of that what you will.

Edit: text

 

[nw130d]

Are we sure it's the same driver, and if it is, we don't really know if it's implemented identically? Just sayin'. As for warmth and and the asserted lack of detail and transparency, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Never mind the LCD2.

The AKG spokesman calls the cans a "brand new design." Make of that what you will.

Edit: text

AKG must done a lot of work to set out and produce an all new driver (for real & sounds different) with exact same specifications as the old one! 
 
Didn't know there was a "bright LCD2" to be compared to the standard? 

 
I'll hold my verdict till I see some reviews... I live in Canada can't compare them myself.

 

[Shaffer]

AKG must done a lot of work to set out and produce an all new driver (for real & sounds different) with exact same specifications as the old one! 

Didn't know there was a "bright LCD2" to be compared to the standard? 

I'll hold my verdict till I see some reviews... I live in Canada can't compare them myself.

You're going around in circles. Feel free to judge transducers based on naive specs and reviews.

Edit: The LCD2 were mentioned in direct response to your claim regarding a warmer tonal balance and a lack of perceived detail and transparency. It was rather obvious.

 

[Dobrescu George]

what are the differences between k550 and k545? i cannot fiind anywhere, or 545 is only meant to be the version with detachable cable?

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

  what are the differences between k550 and k545? i cannot fiind anywhere, or 545 is only meant to be the version with detachable cable?

http://www.whathifi.com/akg/k545/review
 
http://www.whathifi.com/akg/k550/review
 
I only have the K550s but from what What Hi-Fi say, it looks like the K550 is better.
I can't understand though why they would rate the K550s so high when they were £250 when they reviewed them! The price was £210 for the K545 when they got reviewed but they don't like them as much.

 

[nw130d]

There are many reviews out there comparing the 545 with 550. It is a mix bag, some reviews actually think the 545 is better with more bass with slight cost of sound stage, among other smaller differences.