AKG K361/K371

[Seoulcomp]

No I talked to some other people and they explained the k371 is the successor to the K553 and is notorious for having a bad seal for many people. I decided to try the cheaper option first and see if I liked it. Luckily Amazon has a great returns policy so if I don't like it I will just send it back.

Many of my coworkers use Bluetooth headphones and I have the Galaxy Bud Pros but I prefer not having to worry about battery level on my work desktop phones.

EDIT: Oh dang after almost 20 years here this is my 999th post. Where should I put my 1,000th? lol

yes the 371 is the successor, but only kinda--and AKG still sells all of them. The K553 has a very different headband and earcup system. So the K371 automatically fits, whereas the K553 manually fits (and believe me, way more comfortable). But they actually are really different animals, and almost not comparable, in a way, both in design and sound. K553 mkii is from the Austrian engineering days (to please studio use) whereas K371 is from the Samsung engineering days with extreme dedication to the Harmon curve (to please consumer use). DMS ranks the three like this #1 (best) K361, #2 K553 mk2, #3 K371. I like the 361over the 371 but the 553 over the 361. but the 553 was designed as a professional headphone, the 361 for casual use and the 371 for mixed use. I don't blame you for going for the 371. go with it. My earlier comment about the 553 was purely regarding sound anyway, and that area is always subjective and differs by person. Also, slight differences for passive isolation in closed backs don't make much difference when listening to constant beat oriented music in reality.

 

[Luckyleo]

Haven't visited this thread in a very long time. It's been that long since I put the 361's on my head. Well, this motivated me to give them a listen again. I've always liked the 361's and have thought of them as punching above their weight (i.e. $$). Well, I'm blown away again. I was just listening to my Grado RS1e immediately before putting on the AKG's. Different sonic signatures, I know, but the 361's hold their own. Surprisingly good sound stage and instrument seperation. Missing that Grado "sparkle" in the treble, but still a GREAT headphone indeed!!

Leo

 

[Svperstar]

Just got mine in this afternoon. I am so used to wearing gigantic audiophile headphones that the K371 seem so tiny in comparison.

I was impressed they come with 3 removeable cables in a bag.

Running RME ADI-2 Low Power mode -> 371. First impression, very comfortable, a nice change from the LCD-2C lol

Great bass I was really impressed with this track, hits every low note. This is the track I use to test bass in all of my new headphones(I was testing FLAC just putting YouTube links for convenience:


Also nailed it with Massive Attack:


Soundstage is wider then I thought it was going to be but not as good as the Arya and others which I expected:


Also an impressive amount of noise isolation.


So far so good. Looking forward to trying it at work on Monday.

 

[Svperstar]

These cans don't need an amp. On low gain I barely can turn the knob on my Asgard 2 lol

 

[jasonb]

These cans don't need an amp. On low gain I barely can turn the knob on my Asgard 2 lol

They need less power than some IEM’s. My ER4SR needs more power than the K371 to get to around the same volume.

 

[thecrow]

These cans don't need an amp. On low gain I barely can turn the knob on my Asgard 2 lol

But i do like them with the mojo2. For the extra power and eq element. Though, as you say, not a necessity

 

[bluenight]

I have enjoyed them on my free week from work. Having 3-4 hours music listening sessions and then some 6 hours watching tv series streaming from netflix and similar services with the HP setup Ferrum Oor+ Hypsos and Hugo2 as dac. I think they benefit from great amp.

I use them more then HD800S these days because i work night and have thin walls and dont want to disturb my neighbours sleep, youd be surprised how sounds can travel easy also when up all night and there's no other sounds. HD800S is very leaky Akg K371 is the opposite.

The midrange is really clear and articulate. Bass reaches deep and is articulate. Treble is good enough might could have more sparkle but i have lifted so many veils with power tweaks allready so its very clear anyway. It has great resoulotion too to my ears. Soundstage i dont have a trouble with it really all though i own HD800S, i newer had a problem with it on Sony WH-1000XM2 either so maybe i dont care much about it. But yeah i can still apreciate HD800S more wide big sound and airiness.

I replaced the stock pad in the morning. With Dekoni Choice Leather (its vegan and synthetic though) And will have the first listening session with it this night. Mainly because the stock pad aren't comfortable for me on long listening sessions. They put some pressure on the back of the ears maybe they slide there or something i have to adjust them with my hands from time to time. Dekoni have denser foam i hope it will make a difference so it collaps less. Also might improve sound?

Suede or Velour is probably the way to go for most comfort but i dont think they have as good noise isolation to stop leakeage.

 

[bluenight]

To add this got more bass and rhythm then HD800S and also is less sibilant and more forgiving . HD800S might sound more natural though in a way.

 

[jagwap]

To add this got more bass and rhythm then HD800S and also is less sibilant and more forgiving . HD800S might sound more natural though in a way.

Interesting.

I do not consider more bass and more rhythm to go hand in hand in general. Sure, more bass makes the rhythm section rise up in the mix, to make it more noticeable. However lean bass is generally tighter, and gives a better rhythmic representation. So flat rather than Harman bass +5- +8dB shelf filter is my favorite. This has I believe a bunch of technical and psychoacoustic reasons I won't go into here because there are too many armchair experts here with strong immovable opinions. However I have the K371 BT and the the HD800 (not the S, for full disclosure). The K371 is really good rhythmically, especially at the price. Good in most ways. But the HD800 is for me the tightest rhythm headphone I have yet to hear. I have not tried all headphones yet devised, but I have some experience.

To clarify, I find when rhythm is correct, it can sound to some to be a bit slower in pace than some are used to (not in time, but pace) as most gear is a bit excitable, probably for commercial reasons. However this lets the subtlety of the musicians through and really sorts out the players from the pro-tools aligned wanna-bees.

 

[bluenight]

I think some of the sub bass rhythms on akg k371 can have a bigger impact then on HD800S(not sure if some of them are missing on HD800S) . That can lead to engaging rhythms in the music imo. If its correct or not i dont know or if its bass bloat.

 

[jagwap]

I think some of the sub bass rhythms on akg k371 can have a bigger impact then on HD800S(not sure if some of them are missing on HD800S) . That can lead to engaging rhythms in the music imo. If its correct or not i dont know or if its bass bloat.

That could be what you are getting. If you try some pieces that don't need that to show how the players play together it may give interesting results. Remember though, if they can't play well, the timing doesn't matter.

I think it is unfair to call the Harman curve "bass bloat" as it is not like the Beats 15dB boost of old. But it is only there because of a preference of most users. Some users preferred less or flat like me, but they tended to be older people and women, and were in the minority. I have a suspicion we are encountering the preference born on the shoulders of a couple of generations brought up of exaggerated bass from the popular commercial headphones during the resurgence brought about by Beat etc, and the Harman preference may in part be due to people thinking that is neutral.

 

[bluenight]

I have used the Dekoni Choice Leather all night to morning and i think its a pointless pad. Because it doesn't bring more comfort and does not enhance sound to my ears, better stick with stock pad or go suede maybe. Infact i suspect i am hearing less bass Impact and rhythm or its only in my head. But could be of denser foam not collapsing closer to ears or less seal.

 

[Seoulcomp]

I do feel the K371 can have a little "intense" bass for my taste, but I would never call it bloat, it is certainly excellent and clear. My ears are a little too sensitve to too much subbass I think, which is why I prefer the K361. I don't know what the person meant by "rhythm" but I guess I assume they mean highs are punchier, which again is a strength of this series. I have no idea why anyone would compare these to the HD800s...it's like an apple and pears thing...different animals entirely. You are not even likely to use these headphones for the same situation, purpose or music, not to mention entirely different cost category. The K361/371 are great for their portability too. That being said, my "new" favs for closed back (I am primary an open back guy) is the Focal Elegia, and are relevant here in that you can get them now for under $300 at Adorama. Yet, they are also not really the same type of cans as these either (and they are not exactly bass monsters, but far superior in every way, including resolution and soundstage.)

 

[bluenight]

That being said, my "new" favs for closed back (I am primary an open back guy) is the Focal Elegia, and are relevant here in that you can get them now for under $300 at Adorama. Yet, they are also not really the same type of cans as these either (and they are not exactly bass monsters, but far superior in every way, including resolution and soundstage.)

Oh really. They dont score well in Rtings measurements. Akg K371 scores much better.

Maybe measurements are not trust worthy and some things like resolution can't be measured. Best to go by ear in the end. But i do think they nail it good in there sound conclusion about akg k371. So cant be total wrong.

https://www.rtings.com/headphones/t...focal-elegia/1671/726?usage=19&threshold=0.10

 

[bluenight]

Does anyone know how to read this? The higher db amplitude on around 20hz-100hz should mean more pronounced bass? I was thinking i experienced less articulate bass with this pad compared to stock or more bloated.