[Hi-Fi Guy]

Jeez at this point I'm thinking about buying the hm5 and reselling it without the extra ear pads.

 

[huckfinn]

Sorry Hi-Fi Guy, I might be missing something here......but why don't you just buy the pads?
http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-earphones/brainwavz-hm5-spare-earpad-1pc

 

[dweaver]

They are out of stock...

 

[Hi-Fi Guy]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0085O7DG2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1395762486&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

Would these work?

Also did anyone ever find out if the alpha pads worked on these?

 

[Change is Good]

   
AKG is looking into this model and some of the QC issues. Many of the initial production runs had crinkling and balance issues. Most of that seems to be better as it's been a while since I had one come back with issues. 

 
Thanks for the update, Brian! I'll be shooting you an email when I'm ready to give these babies another try!

 

[Hi-Fi Guy]

Got my FiiO E11 for these can't wait to try it out.

 

[Stuff Jones]

Just got done listening to these at a library and its amazing how much better they sound in a quite place rather than a noisier place like a cafe. Even though the comfort has improved, isolation is still bad with the stock pads. Someone needs to find out pads besides the HM5s that work with these!

 

[Semont]

It's kind of obvious but any headphone sounds better in a quiet place.
 
Quote:

  Just got done listening to these at a library and its amazing how much better they sound in a quite place rather than a noisier place like a cafe. Even though the comfort has improved, isolation is still bad with the stock pads. Someone needs to find out pads besides the HM5s that work with these!

 

[Stuff Jones]

Yeah but the difference for these is greater than other headphones I've used - they don't do a great job of blocking out outside sounds with stock pads.

 

[Semont]

It might be because these headphones are not too bass heavy (emphasis on sub bass) so that easily gets drowned out with outside noise.
 
I wonder when headroom will make charts for these headphones (or if they will at all).

 

[Hi-Fi Guy]

You mean like these?
http://stereos.about.com/od/Headphone-Reviews/ss/AKG-K545-Headphone-Measurements.htm

 

[dweaver]

The very last graph on that site is interesting, it essentially showed no attenuation of outside sound in the 1-400hz range. This would explain not sounding good in noisier places and might explain why some find the lower midrange to have a dip.

 

[Semont]

Wow thanks for the chart. I'm actually surprised that the bass response on the 545 is actually lower than the 550 since the 545 does sound bassier. The smaller enclosure probably plays a large role in forming the perceived sound of the bass.
 
The bass distortion as shown on the graphs is quite severe but the perceived sound tells the opposite story.
 
I guess frequency charts don't even begin to tell the story haha.

 

[Hi-Fi Guy]

I've been listening to these with my E11 all day and I love it.

 

[dweaver]

I get the best sound from my Audioengine D1 it just makes the K545 sing. Glad you found the right solution for you.

I still say the K545 is one of the best headphones at it's price for sound and love its comfort.