New release - the AKG K553 Pro - featuring a killer Massdrop deal

[project86]

Anyone go to CanJam and get a chance to check out the K553 Pro? I assume they brought it for the show, and I'd be curious to hear impressions.

 

[bbfoto]

Hmmm...crickets. I'd like to know as well, but I guess that I'll find out for myself along with everyone else when these start shipping.

 

[project86]

Probably too many other headphones to talk about, thanks to CanJam. Between the Dharma, Ether, Nighthawk, EL8, Alpha Prime, HE-1000, etc, I can see how a lowly sub-$150 headphone could be overlooked. That's okay, hopefully some other opinions will start rolling in soon.
 
I was using it last night, straight from the headphone jack on the Exogal Comet DAC. Sounded mighty nice. Feeding the Comet was an Aurender X100L which, thanks to a recent update, can now stream Tidal lossless tracks. I had a blast just browsing various music, some new to me and some very familiar. The K553 Pro seems to handle most everything fairly well - from female vocals like Rebekka Bakken and Alicia Saldenha, to Mahler, Holst, Paganini, or hip-hop from Aesop Rock, cLOUDEAD, and El-P. I won't pretend the K553 hangs with my other more expensive cans, but for an affordable all around performer it's quite satisfying. 

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

Massdrop introduced a lower price on the K553, now $119, if we get 500 more participants. Cmon people you got no excuse now, even international buyers have no choice, the $20 savings will cover any cost of a shipping forwarder. DO IT.

 

[heliosphann]

  Massdrop introduced a lower price on the K553, now $119, if we get 500 more participants. Cmon people you got no excuse now, even international buyers have no choice, the $20 savings will cover any cost of a shipping forwarder. DO IT.

Yea, a real no brainer for $120!!!

 

[nmatheis]

Um, yup. I might just have to jump on this train at the $119 price point just to finally experience a pair of AKG.

 

[speedracer3000]

In for one as well. $119 is a steal! 

 

[Beencredible]

Just put in a reservation. Better mids? Yes please!

 

[money4me247]

btw, the k553 is available for international people now too!!! (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/akg-k553-pro-studio-headphone)
 

per Mark at Massdrop:
 
Thanks everyone for your patience. We have updated the process and the Address field will now automatically populate if you select "Yes" to add the freight forwarding service. This should solve the problem with the Paypal checkout.

You will still need to fill out the Freight Forwarding Address Form linked at the bottom of the Description page.

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

^ I think you mean the K553 Pro is now available to international buyers, there is no such thing as K554 lol.

 

[money4me247]

  ^ I think you mean the K553 Pro is now available to international buyers, there is no such thing as K554 lol.

lol ur right. edited.

 

[aak57]

Man, at $120 I'd be in for sure if only it had a detachable cable. :/

 

[cuiter23]

  Man, at $120 I'd be in for sure if only it had a detachable cable. :/

 
Yea..... I have NO idea why AKG decided to put detachable cables only on the 545 but not on the 550. Seems counter-intuitive. 

 

[imackler]

  Man, at $120 I'd be in for sure if only it had a detachable cable. :/

 
Yeah, I don't understand putting a 10' cable on a headphone you want to boast is driveable from portable sources. Odd. 

 

[RERO]

 
Yeah, I don't understand putting a 10' cable on a headphone you want to boast is driveable from portable sources. Odd. 

 
AKG's advertising is really wonky.
They advertise this as a "Pro" product, in which a 80Ω+ impedance would be more sensible and a non-removable cable is more tolerable (I think).
But then, this is a bullet point:
 

 
I doubt a lot of people will take this to the streets, but they kinda hinted it.
 
Well, BTG Audio does removable cable mods for $40...
http://btg-audio.com/webstore.htm#ecwid:category=2609209&mode=product&product=11484987 (even the K550 is pictured!)