[REB]

There seems to be a lot of love for the AKG K500 here on the forums, but it doesn’t have its own thread of appreciation yet and info is scattered all over different threads. Let’s start one here and sing the praises of the K500

. (Or not; appreciation is different from fanboy-dom after all). Changing the pads does a lot for it, so this might also be a good place to discuss what pads are best suited for the K500. And recable options of course. Anyone did a recable on these beauties? And the different versions that AKG saw fit to produce (are there K500 early, middle and late runs?) Anything you want to say or ask about the K500, put it in this thread.

K500 owners – UNITE!

 

[Drosera]

Excellent, some appreciation for a great 'phone!

Not much to add at the moment, I'm just listening to them with Oistrakh performing Shostakovich 2nd Violin Concerto and its amazing how great a Russian recording from the 60's can sound. For me, these headphones achieve a magical balance between headstage, detail and a listening experience which is equally relaxing and involving.

Recabling is something I'd like to do in the near future. (But first there are some less interesting, but more pressing 'projects' to finish.) I will report on the results in due time.

As to different versions: apparently there is a version with a completely metal (gold-plated) plug and a version in which part of the plug is made of plastic. Anyone care to eleborate on this?

With a metal plug:

With a plastic plug:

(I might be completely mistaken, since the second picture comes from an Ebay-advertisement and the actual headphones are not (yet) in my possession.)

 

[jellojoe]

The latter plug looks like a K501 plug whereas the former looks like a K400 plug. The 1/8" to 1/4" inch adapters are probably not interchangeable

 

[jrosenth]

Personally, I preferred the 500 to the 501 and loved it with 701 pads

Fitz is the one who would know about the different runs or lack thereof

 

[scompton]

Unfortunately, my K500 has no sound out of the right driver. It went without warning so I assume it's a broken solder joint. Eventually, I'll take them apart.

Here's my comparison of the K400, K500, K501, and K601. I sold the K501. I've also since bought a K401.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/k40...-601-a-255524/

 

[iQEM]

just wanna share what i've found on Ebay, a new K500 !maybe someone found it a good bargain...

Vintage AKG K-500 Stereo Headphones - eBay (item 320279285575 end time Aug-02-08 07:42:07 PDT)

note: look at what the seller had add with K500 as an extra...

 

[edhamgtr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrosenth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Personally, I preferred the 500 to the 501 and loved it with 701 pads

Agree completely. I have this exact combo.

 

[edhamgtr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scompton /img/forum/go_quote.gif Unfortunately, my K500 has no sound out of the right driver. It went without warning so I assume it's a broken solder joint.

Had exactly this same issue - opened up and it was a 1 minute fix.

for some reason akg left zero slack in the internal wiring so it doesn't take a lot to pull it off contact.

 

[REB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scompton /img/forum/go_quote.gif Unfortunately, my K500 has no sound out of the right driver. It went without warning so I assume it's a broken solder joint. Eventually, I'll take them apart. Here's my comparison of the K400, K500, K501, and K601. I sold the K501. I've also since bought a K401. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/k40...-601-a-255524/

I have a broken pair of K500s with one OK driver. I can send it to you if you want to. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

EDIT: I didn't correctly read your post. If it's just the soldering in your driver, you won't need another one. But if you do, let me know.

 

[REB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jellojoe /img/forum/go_quote.gif The latter plug looks like a K501 plug whereas the former looks like a K400 plug. The 1/8" to 1/4" inch adapters are probably not interchangeable

You're right, they're not interchangeable. My K500 has the metal gold-plated plug, while the K501 has a partly plastic plug. My K400 came to me recabled, so I don't know its original plug.

 

[edhamgtr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REB /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a broken pair of K500s with one OK driver. I can send it to you if you want to. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

I am looking to buy a set of 500's without drivers.
If you donate your driver I'd be interested in buying the rest of it (cups,band etc).
lemme know! thanks

 

[dcpoor]

i've been watching that auction for days, there goes my chance of picking them up at a reasonable price. sigh.

oh, and take notice that he mentions that the drivers currently in the enclosures have some problems/issues and need replacing and work done.

 

[Agnostic]

So when will we do our comparative review of:
K500
K400
K501
K701

 

[rhythmdevils]

I like the K701 pads on the K500, but fyi, not on the K400- it becomes too dry. The 701 pads do take away from the liquid mids of the K500 as well, but I can't stand the highs on them stock, so it's necessary. I would bet that K601 pads would be a great compromise, as many have stated here.

 

[rhythmdevils]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agnostic /img/forum/go_quote.gif So when will we do our comparative review of: K500 K400 K501 K701

IMO, lower the number, better the eggs

But I haven't heard them all at once to be able to say more than that. But I know I like K501>K701. And I know I like K500>K501. And I know that I like K400>K500. The only one I haven't heard is the K401, which I imagine is just where the number puts it in the scale of things. I owned both K500 and K400 for a couple months, and I can say that the K400 is a bit more mellow up top, and has the most delicious mids I think I've ever heard, the sound can only be described as more "liquid" than the K500. Although I don't know what that really means- but it's the best way I can find to describe it, and I bet yall know what Im talking about.