K181 or K81 DJ? That is the question. ;)

[P.F. Jo]

Hey guys.

Recently I've posted that i'm looking for a new headphones [supra-aural, sub 100$] and i've finaly decided its probably gonna be the K81DJ since they answer most, if not all of my requirements [also needs to sound good without an amp and be portable....]

However I stumbled upon the K181dj for a fairly low price, maybe even the price I wanted to spend in the first place [100$ incl shipping] and now the question arises - 181 or 81?

What do you people think? I found rarely any comparisons between the two..

Thanks!

-Jo

 

[Meloncoly]

Personally I wouldn't spend almost double for a pair of K181s. If I had enough to spend double, I would much rather buy a RP-21 or the HD25-II. But I bought my K81s specifically for modding fun, so that extra would be spent on modding

 

[P.F. Jo]

Either way i'm going to have to pay at least 100$ for either pair, I don't live in the US and stuff here are more expensive.

So between these two, for almost the same price, what would you take? I'm not a bass head, infact I sold a pair of EP630 because of the overbass so i'd rather have the one with the more crystal clear highs/mids rather than the ones with the muddier/punchier bass...... [meaning i'd like to hear drums, not the vibrations of the overbass

]

So, Which would be better in terms of soundstage, clear rather than muddy bass and trebles?

Thanks!

Also, is there a size difference in the earcups?

If anybody could put a head-to-head comparsion between these two in this post that would be awesome.

 

[Meloncoly]

If you're not a basshead, then you should stay away from the K81s and the K181s...they are known as bass monsters. Also if you're looking for non muddy bass and treble...there are better options for you. Where do you live specifically? Also the size difference is very small. The K181s are a bit bigger, but still superaural...maybe half a cm in diameter bigger...?

 

[P.F. Jo]

well, I listen to a lot of metal/rock, problem is bass turns muddy in an over-bassy headphones...... I never heard neither sadly since where I live there aren't many stores that holds up such expensive gear to be able to hear it in the store..

Bottom line is I don't hate bass as long as it doesn't go over other things like clear high's etc..... in the EP630 either the whole deal would sound terribly over-treble or everything sounded muddy and bassy... all I need is just something more balanced

if the trebles and highs in general are clear and the bass is 'bassy' where it should be, that is not what im worried about.

 

[Meloncoly]

Still haven't told me where you live, then I could find a nice alternative for you. You should look into the Audio Technica ATH-SJ5 as an alternative.

 

[Meloncoly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.F. Jo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Bottom line is I don't hate bass as long as it doesn't go over other things like clear high's etc..... in the EP630 either the whole deal would sound terribly over-treble or everything sounded muddy and bassy... all I need is just something more balanced if the trebles and highs in general are clear and the bass is 'bassy' where it should be, that is not what im worried about.

Sorry about double post. Without mods, the bass does mask a little of the highs, the K81DJs that is.

 

[P.F. Jo]

so is there any body who owns or owned both and can tell me whats better?

 

[fhuang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.F. Jo /img/forum/go_quote.gif so is there any body who owns or owned both and can tell me whats better?

i do. is k181 better than k81? of course no doubt. in everyway. is the k181 has more bass? yes if you put the can on just small club and even more for big club. one thing though, if you think k81 needs an amp, k181 needs it even more.

 

[fhuang]

one more thing, k181 is more comfortable to me

 

[Anarchy965]

I'm pretty sure the 181's aren't as well liked around here as the 81's, but I really don't think it sounds like you would like either of these. You said in another thread that you had a pair of K26P's. What did you think of their sound?

 

[P.F. Jo]

the K26P's sounded "OK" - I'm looking for just a bit more than OK...

I mean they were tolerable ..... but not all that exciting. they weren't too much bassy but they could use some cleaner treble.