AKG 240 model confusion

[ELENI4]

What's the difference between the AKG K240 sextett, the 240S, the 240DF, the 240M, and the 240MKII? Help. Which are the best cans? What's the difference in sound quality, the ability to drive them, etc. I have the 240S but if one of these is considered better, I'd like to know that as well.

 

[dub]

The DF version is the oldest one, and was replaced by the AKF K240 "Monitor" — these 2 ones have very similar specs:

K 240 Monitor (Discontinued)

then, the 240M was replaced by the "240", the 240s etc.

Juste check it on the AKG site.

 

[Shoewreck]

K 240 Sextett are probably older than K240 DF. They feature passive resonators (instead of modern AKG's damper rings). Haven't heard them, but wish I had.

K 240 DF and K240 Monitor are quite different - I owned both for a long time. K240 DF are more airy, have less bass and are very precise tone-wise. K240 Monitor are smoother with more bass - not more extended, just more. Both models are 600 Ohms. I find K240DF superior to K240Monitor, but things turned out that I didn't use them much, so I just sold 'em to a good friend.

K240 Studio and K240 MKII (newer version) seem to be the same headphones with slightly different styling. I haven't had any experience with these. They are 55 Ohm, so they are more efficient but require more current to drive. AFAIK they also have more bass and treble than K240 Monitor.

 

[dub]

And both models are 88db sensitivity, wich means there're hard to drive… You'll need nearly 3V to get 100db from your 240M or from your 240DF: the more you give it, the more it'll give you back with highs and lows.
The 240s is much more easy to drive (I sold back my 240s, sextett and DF and still have the M version — hope I'll have soon the MkII version).

 

[Shoewreck]

My wife listens to K240 Monitor directly from her PC's integrated audio and aways sets level very low.

 

[dub]

I also do that, when I want to listen files with a compressed dynamic range: for exemple to watch old b&w movies on my laptop

 

[ericj]

the sextett is the original version from 1975.

The k240-M is from about 1980 and replaced the sextett by being cheaper to manufacture.

The DF seems to be a product of the 90's and was available along-side the -M which was only in the last few years replaced by the -S

 

[ELENI4]

So if I like the AKG 240S's sound and want to upgrade to a better AKG model, which would you recommend? Or would you recommend a different model completely like a 241 or 701 or?

 

[Shoewreck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELENI4 /img/forum/go_quote.gif So if I like the AKG 240S's sound and want to upgrade to a better AKG model, which would you recommend? Or would you recommend a different model completely like a 241 or 701 or?

241 isn't that different. Did you mean 271?
What would you consider an improvement? 701 would probably make you forget about K240S.

 

[Kevin Sinnott]

I have both the k240M and Sextetts, middle production model.

I know this might be blasphemy, but I like them both equally, and in fact I just might prefer the k240M by a hair. Both are excellent.

I also own the k501s and admittedly, there are discs that just throw out a spectacular sound on thoese, but the 240m and Sextett are slightly more subdued.

The k240M is a real bargain besides, but my comparisons were not made thinking of price.

My opinion right now. I think you'd be happy with either the 240M or the Sextett. I have not heard the lower impedance versions or the other Sextett models.

 

[Morten]

Reviving this thread. Anyone since compare every model of K240 - Sextett, Studio, DF, Monitor, MKII? 

 

[Kevin Brown]

 
Quote:

Reviving this thread. Anyone since compare every model of K240 - Sextett, Studio, DF, Monitor, MKII? 

I have heard them all, and my opinion is that the K240 Sextetts are on top, followed very closely by the K240S (Mk II).  Personally, I didn't think the DF's, and M's have enough low end.
 
(The Studios are the same as the Mk II, btw.  Just that Mk II's come with more stuff in the box.)
 
If you want to go "vintage", try a pair of Sextetts.  If you want to buy brand new, try the K240S (Mk II), but they definitely benefit from burn in.
 
But really, each model has its fans.  The M's can be had pretty cheaply on eBay.