AKG-271S or HD-25SP???

[walkerboh]

I'm looking to buy a new closed headphone. So far I'm down to these two. I was thinking of including A900s in the selection but they're not exactly portable...

I had set my mind on getting the AGK-271S but then I saw the HD-25SP and I personally think that the design looks nice. I'm in Korea and the prices are exactly the same.

I haven't seen a proper review of the HD-25SP so I wonder if you guys can tell me how they compare to each other? I do have a meta at home so I think I'm covered in the amp area. I also have a pair of HD600 at home and am presently using E3c for portable use. Do you think that either the AKG-271S or the HD-25SP would be better than the E3c? I'm planning to use the closed phone at home and portably (without an amp ). Sound Quality is more important to me than looks or portability.

Thank ahead for your opinions.

 

[Nak Man]

Did you mean hd25-1 ? The price for 25sp over here (and I think most of the places) is half of 271s. If you really meant same price for 25sp then by any chance grab the 271s ! Ime no comparison, much better sound quality, if that's what important to you - but the catch is it's less efficient, probably meant more 'difficult' to drive straight out of portables. It's not like you don't hear any sound, more like not driven to full potential, esp in bass area.

HD25sp: (+) excellent noise blocking for noisy office, sounds 580ish, small - very portable, very efficient 100+db, (-) bass heavy, hf roll off noticable esp compared to 580, make your ears hurt in short time (get velour pads).

K271s: (+) very good tonal balance, wonderful mid & treble, comfortable despite some heat build up (-) little noise blocking, bass needs good seal, very large cups (make you look silly in the office =)

Both use detachable cables but the one on 271s is single sided and meant to be used as a real connector. I haven't tried hd25 but from fr chart their sound shouldn't be that far off. I'm using 25sp in the office, 271s at home. Never tried etymotics yet.

Good luck !

 

[blessingx]

I'm not sure the K271s are really much more portable than the A900s. A little smaller, but still the looping frame.

As for sound quality, have only heard the K271s, so I'm voting Senns.

 

[PinkFloyd]

From the very brief listen I had with the 271 / 240S I'd be inclined to go with the K-240S......... it was a "very" brief listen so wait for someone who has had prolonged "time" with these phones to enter the thread.


All the best.

Pinkie.

My brief listen to the AKG K-271 here

 

[commando]

Have a look at my review of closed cans, which includes the 271s. It's linked from my sig (below). My conclusion was they're good for rock but not much else, and IMO they're not very portable either.

 

[walkerboh]

So I should get the HD25SP for portability and AKG271S for sound??
I suppose that the HD25SP has better isolation, right?

 

[commando]

I'd just get canal phones myself, like the MD33s. In fact I did, except I got EX71s.

I can't understand people's obsession with brilliant sounds on the portable rig, with street noise and the hasle of carrying it all it's not worth it IMHO. Get an ok quality portable rig and a good quality home rig. Of course if you spend a lot of time moving around it might be more important, but still.

AKG271 sound like crap to me.

 

[3lusiv3]

The AKG k271s are too big for portable use, but I'm really liking them for home use at the moment. I think they are a bit source and/or amp dependant and need a huge amount of burn-in, which would explain their variable reviews.

 

[Nak Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkerboh So I should get the HD25SP for portability and AKG271S for sound?? I suppose that the HD25SP has better isolation, right?

You're right on both counts. 25sp on its own is not that bad as some people said. Although I haven't audition the real mccoy hd25, I found the 25sp very 580ish with more forward midrange (good) but less airy / HF extension and with bass all over (bad =). Portability and isolation are their strength. In fact I liked it so much that I got a second pair used - turned out it was a 300 ohm version (!) with even less HF. I pulled out the inner foam and they still sound good for the office. With music playing you can barely hear phones ringing and only see moving lips of your colleagues. If you decide on cool looking 25sp, my suggestion is to get the velour pads, your ears will thank you.

However, like I said, if sound quality is of main concern, 271s win hands down. And at the same price as 25sp, to me its no brainer !

 

[TheMedic00]

Quote:

Originally Posted by commando AKG271 sound like crap to me.

Is this in relation to the A900 or just overall? I saw some of the stuff you posted in favor of the 271 a while back, and just wondered what made you turn your opinion around so drastically. I'm glad you found "The One" though!

 

[commando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMedic00 Is this in relation to the A900 or just overall? I saw some of the stuff you posted in favor of the 271 a while back, and just wondered what made you turn your opinion around so drastically. I'm glad you found "The One" though!

I've changed my mind a few times. The 271 are better than most consumer cans, but compared with A900 or CD3000 they're horrible - the rolled off treble just doesn't do it for me. Not bad for rock and decent bass are the best things I can say about then. A900 kicks their arse.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Don't get either one. Although I haven't tried the 271s, I hate the HD-25SPs. They sound so smaaaaaaaaall. I threw them down after fifteen minutes of listening to them...they were intolerable in comparison to a pair of Grado SR-80s that was lying next to them.

I've heard the HD25-1s are quite a bit better, but also more expensive than the HD25SPs. Check them out if you can.

 

[TheMedic00]

Quote:

Originally Posted by commando I've changed my mind a few times. The 271 are better than most consumer cans, but compared with A900 or CD3000 they're horrible - the rolled off treble just doesn't do it for me. Not bad for rock and decent bass are the best things I can say about then. A900 kicks their arse.

If the phones were sold in the U.S. I would have one by now, I'm sure. However, without a refund possibility (I prefer not to deal one-on-one with people online so selling wouldn't work) and my superhuman ability to wreck parts like 3-D wings, I may have to pass on them and go with second-best for now. To be honest I'm not sure why I'm giving myself this much grief when they're going to be driven by a third-rate audio source!
Maybe I'll make a thread soon to get ideas on A900 durability and just take the plunge...

 

[walkerboh]

So let's get this straight the A900s blow the AKG271S out of the water???

 

[kyrie]

Not necessarily, those two headphones are basically in the same approximate class. The rest is up to personal preference. However, the K271 is a headphone with a unique sound, so is definitely not for everyone. It'd be "safer" to go with the A900.