Sunkinator
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
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Comparison: AKG K-81DJ and Equation Audio RP-21
Note: The k-81 is blu-tak modded and has the foams removed from the earcups.
Hip Hop - Lupe fiasco/ Matthew Santos "Superstar" MP3
RP-21: Very detailed throughout the audio spectrum with tight, controlled bass but lacking in bass quantity.
K-81dj: Somewhat detailed in the midrange (not as much as the RP-21) slightly muffled in the higher frequency's, muddy bass but the sheer quantity of bass made it more enjoyable for hip-hop. (odd that quantity over quality actually won something o_O)
Pop - One Republic "Apologize" MP3
RP-21: Again, much more detailed throughout the entire spectrum and the vocal quality was utterly amazing! The soundstage is a huge improvement over the k-81 (The sound doesn't have an "in your head" feel to it)
K-81dj: A major letdown, underperforming the RP-21 in every aspect as well as introducing some shrill sibilance to the vocals.
Rock - RA "Sky" CD
Note: This is my favorite song from my favorite rock band. The intro has complex whispered lyrics that will put any headphone to the test.
RP-21: I have a new favorite headphone for rock! The complex qualities of the lead's whispered intro shone in their full glory and almost gave me goosebumps. Although very detailed when playing mp3's, the RP-21 should bring a smile to almost anyone's face when playing off a CD source.
K-81dj: Again, bass heavy and underperforming. While I did prefer these to the Grado Sr-60 for rock (shocking), I feel the k-81's had a compressed sound stage compared to the rp-21. The vocals oddly sounded compressed as well (as if I was listening to a 128 kbps mp3) even though it was off a CD source.
Comfort: The K-81's have become somewhat comfortable for short term usage. (after over two years of usage the vice grip effect is still ongoing!!!)
The RP-21's are comfortable for extended use but, because they are circumaural, they interfere with glasses. I just take my glasses off while viewing movies and such.
Style and Portability: Both headphones have good style but the K-81 wins hands down in portability. It has more of an "urban styling" while being smaller and weighing less than the RP-21. The k-81 can be folded and will fit in a very small area.
The k-81 is built like a tank and will stand abuse while the RP-21 will not.
Noise Isolation: The only thing that can surpass the K-81 in noise isolation is an IEM headphone. People can yell at you and you wont even notice them! (this is another great characteristic for portable headphones)
The RP-21 will isolate the sound of a noisy computer but you can still hear people talking at a normal volume/ hear the doorbell ring.
Sound Leakage: The K-81 leaks nearly no sound at all.
The RP-21 leaks significantly more sound but it is still bearable for people at 5ft+ distance.
Cable: The rp-21 has a high quality detachable cable that is pretty heavy and horrible for portable use.
The k-81dj has an okay quality thin cable that can be bundled up and is great for portable use.
Overall rating for Use at home: RP-21: 9.5/10
K-81dj: 5/10
Overall rating for Portable use: RP-21: 3/10
K-81dj: 9/10
The RP-21 is an amazing headphone for home use that absolutely annihilates almost anything in its price range. It might change the types of music you listen to - revealing tons of intimate details.
The K-81dj is probably one of the best portable headphones you can buy. Although it's sound quality does not quite compare with the RP-21, It is very fun with hip-hop, and retains its sound quality in noisy environments.
My recommendation: If you have the money, buy them both! They arent outrageously expensive and because their bang for your buck factor is so high, they might even cure you of the dreadful headfi-itis (your wallet will thank you)
The RP-21 can be had for $99
The K-81dj can be had for $60-70
My next review will state how the fiio amp synergizes with X-FI sound card, PSP, Ipod shuffle 2G, K-81dj, RP-21, and Grado SR-60.
Feel free to comment
Note: The k-81 is blu-tak modded and has the foams removed from the earcups.
Hip Hop - Lupe fiasco/ Matthew Santos "Superstar" MP3
RP-21: Very detailed throughout the audio spectrum with tight, controlled bass but lacking in bass quantity.
K-81dj: Somewhat detailed in the midrange (not as much as the RP-21) slightly muffled in the higher frequency's, muddy bass but the sheer quantity of bass made it more enjoyable for hip-hop. (odd that quantity over quality actually won something o_O)
Pop - One Republic "Apologize" MP3
RP-21: Again, much more detailed throughout the entire spectrum and the vocal quality was utterly amazing! The soundstage is a huge improvement over the k-81 (The sound doesn't have an "in your head" feel to it)
K-81dj: A major letdown, underperforming the RP-21 in every aspect as well as introducing some shrill sibilance to the vocals.
Rock - RA "Sky" CD
Note: This is my favorite song from my favorite rock band. The intro has complex whispered lyrics that will put any headphone to the test.
RP-21: I have a new favorite headphone for rock! The complex qualities of the lead's whispered intro shone in their full glory and almost gave me goosebumps. Although very detailed when playing mp3's, the RP-21 should bring a smile to almost anyone's face when playing off a CD source.
K-81dj: Again, bass heavy and underperforming. While I did prefer these to the Grado Sr-60 for rock (shocking), I feel the k-81's had a compressed sound stage compared to the rp-21. The vocals oddly sounded compressed as well (as if I was listening to a 128 kbps mp3) even though it was off a CD source.
Comfort: The K-81's have become somewhat comfortable for short term usage. (after over two years of usage the vice grip effect is still ongoing!!!)
The RP-21's are comfortable for extended use but, because they are circumaural, they interfere with glasses. I just take my glasses off while viewing movies and such.
Style and Portability: Both headphones have good style but the K-81 wins hands down in portability. It has more of an "urban styling" while being smaller and weighing less than the RP-21. The k-81 can be folded and will fit in a very small area.
The k-81 is built like a tank and will stand abuse while the RP-21 will not.
Noise Isolation: The only thing that can surpass the K-81 in noise isolation is an IEM headphone. People can yell at you and you wont even notice them! (this is another great characteristic for portable headphones)
The RP-21 will isolate the sound of a noisy computer but you can still hear people talking at a normal volume/ hear the doorbell ring.
Sound Leakage: The K-81 leaks nearly no sound at all.
The RP-21 leaks significantly more sound but it is still bearable for people at 5ft+ distance.
Cable: The rp-21 has a high quality detachable cable that is pretty heavy and horrible for portable use.
The k-81dj has an okay quality thin cable that can be bundled up and is great for portable use.
Overall rating for Use at home: RP-21: 9.5/10
K-81dj: 5/10
Overall rating for Portable use: RP-21: 3/10
K-81dj: 9/10
The RP-21 is an amazing headphone for home use that absolutely annihilates almost anything in its price range. It might change the types of music you listen to - revealing tons of intimate details.
The K-81dj is probably one of the best portable headphones you can buy. Although it's sound quality does not quite compare with the RP-21, It is very fun with hip-hop, and retains its sound quality in noisy environments.
My recommendation: If you have the money, buy them both! They arent outrageously expensive and because their bang for your buck factor is so high, they might even cure you of the dreadful headfi-itis (your wallet will thank you)
The RP-21 can be had for $99
The K-81dj can be had for $60-70
My next review will state how the fiio amp synergizes with X-FI sound card, PSP, Ipod shuffle 2G, K-81dj, RP-21, and Grado SR-60.
Feel free to comment
