AKG K271 vs. AKG K240 Studio

[MJP]

Hi,

A little advice on some cans please as I know the pro's here know way more than me!

I cant decide between these cans, Im not sure if open or closed would be better as far as sound quality goes.

This is the kind of price range Im looking at £100 or less, and I listen to pretty much every type of music, from Dance to Blues to Chillout. I do want the headphones to give off decent bass as well.

Can anyone offer any suggestions to which would be best for this, or would a different pair suit me even better. Ill be running them from my amp which appears to give fairly decent headphone output.

Many Thanks
Matt

 

[Mith]

If bass is what you are looking for the K271S is not very impactful. The bass is pretty detailed but has no slam. I haven't heard the K240 so I'll let someone else comment on it.

 

[EyeAmEye]

The only reason I could see for anyone to choose the 271 over the 240s is if you absolutely need a closed phone. The 240S is a without question the better sounding headphone. The 271 is bass light, thin, and sounds nasel. It is also fairly hard to drive. The 240S is also alot cheaper. It is a much better choice.

 

[philodox]

Follow the AKG link in my signature... I think there are some comparisons between the K240S and K271S linked there. If you have any more questions let me know. I used to own both and still own the K271S. Quote:

Originally Posted by EyeAmEye The 240S is a without question the better sounding headphone.

I disagree as did nearly every single person who I had listen to both before I sold the K240S. Even aerius, the one person who prefered the K240S at the Waterloo meet recently changed his opinion about the K271S when he had a chance to hear it again at the Toronto meet.

I do agree that the K240S is great for the price though. Easily the best value out there.

 

[MJP]

Wicked someone that has had both, just what I need!

Which did you find the nicest to wear?

Ive look throught your links, thanks

It seems overall the 271s will be better, also like you said it makes the sound more personal as no one else can hear it!

Anyone else with any thoughts on them?

Cheers
Matt

 

[philodox]

I would probably give the nod to the K240S for comfort just because they are a bit lighter and dont clamp at all. The K271S clamp a bit depending on your head size. Most people find them too loose, but if you have a big head they fit quite nice and can even be used portably without any problem.

 

[EyeAmEye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by philodox Follow the AKG link in my signature... I think there are some comparisons between the K240S and K271S linked there. If you have any more questions let me know. I used to own both and still own the K271S.I disagree as did nearly every single person who I had listen to both before I sold the K240S. Even aerius, the one person who prefered the K240S at the Waterloo meet recently changed his opinion about the K271S when he had a chance to hear it again at the Toronto meet. I do agree that the K240S is great for the price though. Easily the best value out there.

Well, that's my opinion, and then yours. I owned both at the same time and a/b'ing left me little doubt which one I preferred, by a LONG shot. The 271S just didn't sound right, I couldn't put my finger on what it was, aside from the thiness, somewhat honky midrange, and light bass. Perhaps it was the equipment, perhaps it was simple individual taste, maybe a bit of both, but there was no question that I didn't like it at all. Worst headphone purchase I ever made, and IMO, an awful value for the price. Heck, I even liked the Koss Pro4AAT more than it, and I can't pay someone to take that off my hands

 

[Patrickhat2001]

To me the K271 won my a sizeable margin. I too owned both at the same time and always found myself enjoying the K271 more. To my ears the 240S had an overly warm tonal character and way overdone, rubbery, undetailed bass. I found myself much prefering the more neutral tonal character and upfront sound of the K271. The K271 is weak in the bass, sure, but not nearly to the same extent as the HD280 (which I never cared for mainly because it was so weak in the bass). To me the K271S is essentially a closed version of the K501 (both have neutral tonal characters and recessed yet very detailed and realistic bass) only with a more upfront soundstage and a much less airy sound (very dense, hard sounding)--not suprising since it is a closed phone.

 

[Andrea]

I hastily heard the K171S yesterday at a shop. They put them on my head forcedly.

I was surprised at how small they are, notably smaller than my K141S. The sound pretty good also... favouring detail over warmth, so it would seem, with pretty nice treble (with pretty good presence/extension) and nice fast bass (not that 'recessed', really). I wonder why these aren't ever spoken of here around. For their size and price, my impression on the sound was pretty positive, as was that about their comfort no matter the 'supraaural' thing.

 

[lini]

I prefer my K240S, too. My K271S still sounds rather weird to me - strange midrange...

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[MJP]

hummmm whats the difference between the K240 monitor and the K240 Studio?

Is it just the frequencey range thats different?

Cheers
Matt

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJP hummmm whats the difference between the K240 monitor and the K240 Studio? Is it just the frequencey range thats different?

The 240M is the old '80s model. I had and liked it a lot for its natural balance, but it was too bass light - overall, nothing outstanding for the current 'standards'. The 240S is certainly better, forgiving of the somewhat 'fat' balance.

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyeAmEye Well, that's my opinion, and then yours.

True enough, but its not just my opinion. Like I said, nearly everyone that I had listen to both headphones preferred the K271S.

 

[wang228]

hi matt,
i used to own 240S for a brief period of 2 weeks (100+ burnt in) and i personally did not like their sound at all. To me, the bass was just too bloated and uncontrolled to my taste. I couldn't listen to it for more than 10 minutes before i reached back and grabbed my K501 or even ksc75. It could be that my brain was too equalized to the bass light K501 but i doubt it.... the lows on ksc75 were fine to me. I've never tried the 271s, so i can't comment on them. If you can go with an open can, MS1 represents a much better value at $100 price point imo.
wang
edit: i auditioned K240M briefly at a local audio shop before i bought the K240S. i remember liking the 240M quite a bit. I might have been satisfied had I gotten the M rather than the S, not sure though.

 

[MJP]

hummm well going by the poll it seems like I will be ok with either cans, but Im thinking more towards the K271 because they are closed. Also the frequencey range is better.

Ive seen them for sale at the Digital Village on the net for £95, does anyone know of any better deals than that?

Cheers