[L3xie]

Hi everyone,
 
I have a AKG-K545 which I appreciate a lot. Unfortunately, I noticed a few weeks ago, a volume difference between the 2 ears, especially with the mediums. 
I've used the warranty and sent it to the after sale service.
 
They propose an exchange with a K550MII as my K545 is out of stock. 
 
What do you think ? Is the K550MKII worth it ? Is there a really significative sound difference between these two ? 
I am a little picky with sound quality and if i am not a basshead, I enjoy a well defined sound. I mostly use my headphone with my laptop and smartphone, but I never go outside with.
Plus, I am girl and i don't really have a huge head. My K545 was already a little big for me. 
 
In brief, I don't know what to do !! 
 
Thanks a lot for you help (and excuse my english, this is not my native language) 

 
Lexie.

 

[GREQ]

K550 is MUCH bigger and has a bigger soundstage.
K545 has a more even frequency response with louder and better sub-bass presentation.
Overall K545 is a better sounding headphone, I would not exchange it for the K550. 

 

[L3xie]

Thank you for your answer. 
 
I have called the after-sale service and my K545 can't be fixed. That's why they propose the K550MKII instead.
I don't know what are my other options if I refuse the exchange.   
 
Lexie. 

 

[Koalacola]

Take the deal, try it out, and if you don't like it, sell it. The 550 is a more expensive pair so you can easily get the money back if it wouldn't fit your taste then buy the K545 or some other pair. You might even end up with some extra money.

 

[L3xie]

  Take the deal, try it out, and if you don't like it, sell it. The 550 is a more expensive pair so you can easily get the money back if it wouldn't fit your taste then buy the K545 or some other pair. You might even end up with some extra money.
 

 
 
That's what I wanted to do..until I check the prices on internet : K550MKII can be found for 100/120€  (112/135$) while K545 rises up to 180/230€ (200/250$).  

 

[Koalacola]

   
 
That's what I wanted to do..until I check the prices on internet : K550MKII can be found for 100/120€  (112/135$) while K545 rises up to 180/230€ (200/250$).  

Really??? i checked on amazon and the 550mkII are worth arround 270-300$ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018LEUW8G/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=
 
and the simple k550's are arrond 200$ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CNR7B0/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=
 
while the k545's are 130$ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E89ASQK/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

 

[GREQ]

That's what I wanted to do..until I check the prices on internet : K550MKII can be found for 100/120€  (112/135$) while K545 rises up to 180/230€ (200/250$).  

Really??? i checked on amazon and the 550mkII are worth arround 270-300$ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018LEUW8G/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=
and the simple k550's are arrond 200$ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CNR7B0/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=
while the k545's are 130$ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E89ASQK/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

Not sure what you're trying to prove.
L3xie posted primarily in Euro currency, but you're posting links from amazon usa.

 

[GREQ]

Looking at AKG's website, it looks like the K545 is discontinued.

As long as you're willing to go down the 'warranty' route, I would just keep pushing for a replacement K545.
I find it very difficult to believe they planned such an incredibly short life-span for this product.

 

[Koalacola]

Quote:

  Not sure what you're trying to prove.
L3xie posted primarily in Euro currency, but you're posting links from amazon usa.

 
ok my bad but what would stop L3xie from ordering from the us?
There is no eu for amazon only 5 nation branches. British have the 545 for 145pounds 149,00€ from italy, maybe at even better prices from ebay.
So my point would be that looking more around is never a bad thing, and shipping prices are not that insanely high.
 
take deal > test > sell for whatever if not fitting taste > buy from somewhere.

 

[GREQ]

If you've ever bought anything from USA, you would know the shipping costs are insane, and then on a headphone you'd also get bitten by import tax.

 

[Koalacola]

  If you've ever bought anything from USA, you would know the shipping costs are insane, and then on a headphone you'd also get bitten by import tax.

 
What that 20$ with the tax of 50$ its not insane at all, especially if you really want what you had. Its not that big of a deal. Sometimes i order stuff from china and hong kong 20% tax and free shipping what i find quite ok.
Plus i've already noted that there are cheaper ones in the eu too then 230€  that are not "tax bitten"
 
so yeah main statement is still that you should look around more and i see no problem with that.

 

[GREQ]

Not everyone here is willing to throw away an extra $70 on a headphone, which even at this level can be considered a luxury item.
I try to keep in mind that a lot of the newer posts are often made by students on a budget.
 
Even I wouldn't spend my money like that. 
It's all about perspective I guess.

 

[L3xie]

  Really??? i checked on amazon and the 550mkII are worth arround 270-300$ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018LEUW8G/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=
 
and the simple k550's are arrond 200$ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CNR7B0/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=
 
while the k545's are 130$ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E89ASQK/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

I'm from France (that explains my pitiful english lol) 

I made a screenshot from amazon france, you can see the prices by yourself  
 
http://i97.servimg.com/u/f97/13/13/51/97/headph12.jpg
 
I don't buy anything from the US anymore, the taxes and extra cost are insane now (you need to add 20% VAT + Import Tax + Application fees + Shipping cost).

I am still waiting for an answer from AKG, I have asked them what are the other options if I don't take the deal. I hope their reply won't take too long.

Lexie.

 

[Koalacola]

from italy maybe?? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AKG-AKG-K545wht-k-545-bianca-cuffia-chiusa-SIGILLATA-IN-OFFERTA-nuova-/231854741438?hash=item35fb9e97be:g:SDkAAOSwFNZWzGpR
or uk.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00E89AV26/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

 

[L3xie]

So.. I finally received an answer from the after-sale service :
 
 

 "Après demande au service concerné, c'est la seul option que nous avons à vous proposer sachant que le modèle K550 MK II est un modèle supérieur."

 
(in clear : I don't have the choice,  the exchange is the only option, they won't try to fix my k545)
 
I'm quite disappointed, I don't have the money right now to buy a other headphone if the K550 doesn't suit me (I am 90% sure that K550 will be too big for my head)
 
I probably won't take an other AKG headphone in the future
 
Anyway, thank you all for your help and advises. 
 
Lexie.