[Albert]

Hello

I'm interested in these headphones, although I'm unable to rank them. Are they supposed to be in between the K501 and the K601?

Somehow I doubt it. Even if they were just a touch up of the K301 Xtra, they may be worth a look...

 

[Albert]

bump

 

[philodox]

"With its clear, well-balanced sound, the K 530 is an ideal entry model into the sophisticated world of Hi-Fi."

Given what they say about it on their website, I doubt this model falls between the K501 and the K601 as they are clearly not entry level.

Looking at the picture of them they also have very different styling from AKG's high end line. They might be worth a try depending on the cost, but I would not expect them to equal the K501 or K601. Could beat the K301 Xtra though, you never know.

 

[Ernie II]

They are the successor to the K 501. They have a lower impedance (55 ohm).

 

[audiomagnate]

I like the way they look. Does anyone have a pair yet?

 

[cotdt]

they might just be the silent killer. buy them and review them for us all!

 

[bonethugz]

i heard them. i heard 501 too. not quite as good as 501. somewhat sound like a 601(which i own). i was using a little dot II and a onkyo cd player(which i don't remember the model name) and kind of blue cd. very musical to me. not as detail as both. quite warm(not sure if it's the tube amp). cheap or not as good plastic/build as 5/601. i heard it's around a hundred dollars. i think they're worth the money.

 

[bonethugz]

ooh very comfortable by the way. it should be great for causal listening. i only heard the combination together for about 15 minutes for i think they're good match.

 

[sgrossklass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernie II /img/forum/go_quote.gif They are the successor to the K 501.

No way. They're semi-open cans with ~32 mm drivers and pleather pads, basically a more fancy-looking K301Xtra. (And this one apparently sounds similar to a DT880 if less refined.) If anything, the K501 has been replaced by the K601. The K530 sells for somewhat less than a HD555 here, the K301Xtra can be had for 5..10€ less.

 

[laxx]

Does anyone else find them hideous looking?

 

[audiomagnate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by laxx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Does anyone else find them hideous looking?

Coming from a 701 owner, that's a pretty bold statement. BTW, I think they look really cool:

http://www.akg.com/picture.php?txt=F...c5731590c8.jpg

The bad news is that AKG thinks they're too cool for the US market.

 

[bloodydoorknob]

The k701's have a tinge of retro in the design while the 530's have a more streamline and futuristic look. Nevertheless, I find both of them ugly. I still prefer the k701's design, however.

 

[ericj]

They look like the K301Xtra, which did not review well.

 

[fukujama777]

The K530 are quite hard to find even in Austria (AKG is an Austrian company - at least partly). Same goes for the K324P which seem to be a CX300 variation. I have them now for some days and like them better than any of my existing phones for home listening all of which fall more or less in the same price region - Senn HD555, HD485, AKG K271.

They sound big, with deep bass that's never boomy, voices are sweet and highs are detailed but never aggressive. They are easy enough to be driven from iPod or laptop jack but definitely benefit from a dedicated amp. The looks are a matter of taste. Cannot decide if i find them retro or futuristic. They make a good match with my white MacBook.

Compared with HD555: I love AND hate the HD555, listen to all kinds of music and I love them for how they present small setting, female voices, Jazz etc. but tune to some not so well recorded aggressive rock and they just suck. The bass section of the K530 blows the Senn away and overall the sound more grown up.

Compared with HD485:
Both are pretty much the same price over here. Got the HD485 for 85 Euro and the the K530 for 82 online. The HD485s deliver where the HD555 lack - bass. They're just a fun listen, easy to drive and never aggressive, but at a price: the highs are rolled off, there's less detail, the overall presentation is less thrilling and engaging than the K530. Both 555 and 485 to me have the same overall "Sennheiser" sound signature - though they are quite different - and I'm now sure I like the AKG approach better....

Compared with K271:
I got rid of them simply because I now don't need closed fullsized phones anymore and they are a little bass shy compared to the K530, that's all.

So for now I'll use the the K530 "in-house". The K81DJs are my semi-portable option and they're still fantastic price/value - just a little too uncomfortable for long sessions. Whereas the Senn PX100 don't get much use these days I still use the CX300 every day on the street.

BTW, if anyone tried the K324P I would be interested if they're different from the CX300?

 

[Cyrilix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiomagnate /img/forum/go_quote.gif Coming from a 701 owner, that's a pretty bold statement. BTW, I think they look really cool: http://www.akg.com/picture.php?txt=F...c5731590c8.jpg The bad news is that AKG thinks they're too cool for the US market.

iPod white... *choke*