K601 Openess Question

[odigg]

Hello,

I've always used closed headphones because I've always shared my study with somebody else. I've also always wanted open headphones, but I never purchased them because of all the comments I've read about how much sound they give to the outside world.

That being said, I recently tried the HD-555 and was pleasantly surprised by how quiet they could be. I could listen to them quite comfortably and the person next to me heard nothing or close to nothing unless I turned them up.

So my question about the AKG-K601 is, are they similar in this regard to the HD 555? I've almost never used headphones outside, and I almost always only use them to listen to music in my study. If the K601s are as quiet as the HD555s, I could use them with somebody next to me.

 

[trb36]

If someone is sitting next to you in your study then they will hear the music, even at low volumes.

 

[TSi]

It seriously depends on how low you are willing to go in terms of volume... If you are doing like... volume 1, chances are, they wont hear it.

 

[rocdoc]

I have the K601. Never tried the 555 though, so I don't know how it compares. At normal listening volumes, it is audible, but not necessarily disturbing to those around you. It may become so in a dead quiet room. If there is any ambient noise at all, whatever leaks out of your phones will not be louder and will blend in. My wife has no problem reading in the same room when I listen, and viceversa.
Same goes for the reverse, outside sound getting in. If the room is reasonably quiet, you will be fine. One of the reasons I wanted open HP was to get some isolation but still be able to hear my pager or phone if needed.
Hope it helps.

 

[Manny Calavera]

Peeps around you will hear,but the sound quality will take a nice jump over those Senns,thats for sure.

 

[paulb09]

Need more details on your environment. Even things like a computer tower or two going in a 5-10m length room will make enough difference to change.

Bottom line though, you'd have to listen at fairly low volume not to be heard to almost any extent within 5m or so in an otherwise dead-silent room. However, if you did that with the HD555, the K601 probably wouldn't be a big hit on top of that. Also, with the K601 probably being more forward in the mid and high range than the HD555, you may get away with listening to it at a slightly lower volume than the HD555 and still get the enjoyment out of it you want.

 

[scompton]

I don't have much of a problem with noise leaking out, but I listen at a lower volume than most people do. With a K601 or similar AKG headphone, I can and have had conversations with people without removing the headphone. I listen low enough that conversational voice coming though the headphone is louder than the music. When I hold my headphones 2 feet in in front of me or next to me, I can't hear anything.

Unfortunately, I don't really know if anyone else would be bothered in the same room as me. I rarely listen to headphones with someone in the room except my wife and she's hard of hearing so can't hear it anyway.

Note - I don't make a habit of talking to people while keeping my headphones on. Personally, I think that would be rude. But if someone comes into my office to ask a quick question. I'll answer without taking them off. If it goes beyond that, I take them off.