[grizzlybeast]

  @dweaver can you recall which headphone sounded more transparent between the k545 or the NAD?

I will see for myself actually... its all good. I plan on getting my hands on some of those too. they look madd comfy and better built than the k545 but the k545 is a better looker.

 

[dweaver]

I actually was surprised when I found the K545 more comfortable. Build quality is also a bit of a toss up. They are both pretty good for trasparency, which is better would depend on the music I think.

 

[jwong]

  I suspect if you were to put large earpads on you would get a closer soundstage to the k550's, this is probably something i would fool around with when i get the headphones provided the earpads are user replaceable.

 
They are user replaceable. I've been using HM5 pads on mine since day one. The soundstage did seem to increase, but I've never heard the K550, and frankly at this point I hardly remember what the K545 sounded like with stock pads.

 

[Martinrm]

   
They are user replaceable. I've been using HM5 pads on mine since day one. The soundstage did seem to increase, but I've never heard the K550, and frankly at this point I hardly remember what the K545 sounded like with stock pads.

Where did you buy your pads from? link? It sounds like something the K545's can strongly benifit from. 

 

[jwong]

  Where did you buy your pads from? link? It sounds like something the K545's can strongly benifit from. 

 
http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-hm5-spare-earpad-1pc
 
Note that the listing is for a single pad... you have to buy two. I don't think the sound difference was huge after changing pads. The soundstage improved some, but I swapped them mostly for comfort

 

[grizzlybeast]

so it arrived... I will post my unseasoned impressions vs the others soon. I won't have the sony for much longer(not because of the akg)
 
I will say this... it was definitely different then hearing it in a store or at least vs these two instead of what was in the store. 

 

[dweaver]

Looking forward to your impressions. That is a sweet trio of phones . The orange AKG looks very nice, I like it almost as much as the green one. I think they all look very classy.

 

[grizzlybeast]

I don't take long to give impressions so the burn in factor, music selection,  and personal tastes are all things to consider when reading my impressions. 

 

[Martinrm]

I got the orange/copper owns as well, but was really torn between getting the black ones. I think a bit of color is never bad especially when the colors on the AKG's are no where near as gaudy as beats, it's more laid back and professional. Mine come on monday, i would of had them on friday but everything will be closed closed for christmas. I'm gonna let them burn in for a week (Since the AKG 550's required a good amount of burn in time so i assume the same for the 545's) then i'll give my review and comparison as well (My favorite part ).
Have a happy christmas everyone and enjoy your 545's for those who have been lucky enough to get them already. 

 

[loveislove]

I went to Bestbuy a few days ago and audition the 545 phones. They sound pretty much like the 550 but smaller. 

 

[dweaver]

  I went to Bestbuy a few days ago and audition the 545 phones. They sound pretty much like the 550 but smaller. 

Did you have a chance to A/B against the K550? I found there was subtle differences between the K550 and the K545 in regards to their signature.

 

[loveislove]

 
Did you have a chance to A/B against the K550? I found there was subtle differences between the K550 and the K545 in regards to their signature.

I'm sorry I did not have the chance to do head to head comparison

 

[grizzlybeast]

  I went to Bestbuy a few days ago and audition the 545 phones. They sound pretty much like the 550 but smaller. 

 
 

 
Did you have a chance to A/B against the K550? I found there was subtle differences between the K550 and the K545 in regards to their signature.

they have a similar house sound but to me the differences are not subtle

 

[dweaver]

I think synergy really plays a lot into this headphone as it does with most. For the K545 a warmer source and amp works best.

When I had a chance to try the HP50 and K120 the difference between the K545 and HP50 was pretty strong and the K545 seemed brighter than what I hear on my LG G2 and way brighter than my Audioengine D1. Using that setup I actually found the K545 more aggressive than I would like. So peoples current configuration will definitely come into play. I am sure the HP50 might have sounded darker and unrefined off the Audioengine D1.

I tried my K545 using my Littledot Dac1 and my Bravo Ocean tube amp last night and quite enjoyed that combination as well. The brighter analytical Dac1 paired with the warmer laid back tube amp created a nice synergy as compared to my RWaudio Amp1 which is a bit to bright for the K545.

 

[grizzlybeast]

tubes make sense with this hp
 
the lower mids can use a little life. Overall they are more on the dry than wet side. I keep listening and have been trying to see exactly where I stand on the soundstage of these. Earlier i thought they were equal to the 7520 but i don't think so... (the k545 being bigger) I have to keep at it. Problem is I think the 7520 will be gone soon. The yamaha has a bigger soundstage for sure though.