[DRSpeed85]

Hello everyone, I just joined this forum

I recently purchased a pair of K271s and as a noob who thinks Sony EX71SLs sound above average, I am very satisfied with my introductory phones to high quality sound. I also quickly realised how addicting this hobby is and right now I'm hooked with this pursuit for even better sound.

I would like to know how the K271 stacks up against other headphones and what you think are it's strengths and weaknesses. I've been around to find reviews, but I didnt manage to find alot.

I needed a full sized sealed headphones to avoid listening to my dorm roommate play war games and I also wanted something to isolate abit of sound on airplanes. Something the cheaper Grado SR80 option, though brilliant, cant do. So far I am pretty satisfied with my AKGs as they seem to suit my style of listening very well. I have a very broad taste in music, but tend to concentrate on trip hop, jazz and rock. So for now the K271s fit my needs really well, so I'm really happy with them. But still there's a bug in my mind always wanting more........

One last thing, I'm rather considering an alternative amp than headphones. Whats out there that would make a bigger influence in sound quality (other than volume) than DIY cmoys?

 

[K271 Guy]

The bestest performance 

 

[ReDVsion]

I've never heard the K271s... the negative points most people mention are rolled-off highs, not enough low-end, and a "wierd" midrange. On the positive side, people describe the headphone as a closed HD600. As far as closed headphones are concerned, you're not going to do much better with other models; they'll just be a different flavor.

I think you should probably stick with AKGs or Grados for your music; those are basically what my music preferences boil down to as well. Personally I didn't like the Grado sound, but you might want to try an SR225 if the upgrade bug is hitting you, and the AKG K240S might be right up your alley as well.

 

[DRSpeed85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orubasarot This is irrelevant to most Head-Fiers but I think they're the most aesthetically pleasing headphones out there, no gimmicks, just headphones.

I think these phones look really badass!!

With that huge AKG letters written on top, the silver lining on the cups, a large AKG logo, as well as "55 Ohms / Made in Austria" written rather boldly on the sides, I am not sure you can say it does not have gimmicks in it's design, but yes people can tell this is a serious piece of kit by just looking at it. Other than those wooden Audio Technicas and various Grados, most phones seem to look rather plain, but then that actually does not matter at all really.

People dont pay twice the price of a regular 5 series BMW to get an M5 for it's looks.

 

[commando]

Comparison. Fiddle with the wizard or find function and you'll be able to add the HD280s into the comparison, but it can only compare 3 at a time.

 

[Nak Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRSpeed85 So for now the K271s fit my needs really well, so I'm really happy with them. But still there's a bug in my mind always wanting more........

Looks like your wallet were not officially greeted when you first posted.

What's ultimately important in audio is that you're happy with your system. Any journey for wanting more will be like endless search, only to be stopped by sanity or empty wallet, whichever comes first.

Now with controversial 271s, you'll see various opposing comments when you do the search - some loved it to death, while others get ear pain. I doubt that it will bring peace in your mind after reading negative opinions ... just trust your ears !

If you really have money to burn for other 'taste' in closed phones, dt250 would give more neutral mids, and hd280 would bring more bass and treble.

 

[philodox]

If you like the sound of the K271S then stick with it. It is the best closed headphone out there with that kind of sound. For amplification, a pimeta will leave little to be desired with the K271S. If you have poor source and are looking to upgrade that as well you should consider the AOS Flute as it is a superb match with the K271S and acts as both an amp and a DAC. If you want to try tubes, I think that donovansmith has found the PPX to be a good mate to the K271S.

I don't know why people that have not even heard the K271S keep bringing up the 'wierdness' of the midrange [edit: not meant to be a personal attack at redvision as he did a good synopsis of the general views on here, its just that I've been seeing a lot of this lately]. I've used these headphones for the last year and I can say that it has one of the best midrange's that I have heard. The only headphones that I would say challenge it in that department are the K340 and the K501. The bass of the K271S is a little shy, but with a good seal it is just right for me. I would not say that they are excessively rolled off on the high end and in my opinion that is much preffered to extreme brightness.

PS. Nice taste in music.

 

[DRSpeed85]

I agree that bass is a little short. These are definitely not for gangsta rap. But otherwise it's more than enough for the kind of music I listen to. The sounds of a chello through these cans are particularly awesome.

 

[aos]

It sounds like you really need closed headphones. I was searching for those a few months back and decided to get Sennheiser HD25-1 because they are portable. If you need closed headphones you really don't have much choice - if you want good sound that is. From what I understand 271 are pretty large so they aren't really portable, which is why I eliminated them in the first search - but now I want them because I would consider leaving them at the office. If you don't need portable, you can happily stay with your 271's and leave this site forever, before you (and your wallet) regret it. If you feel spending some more cash, a modestly priced headphone amp might be a good investment, and that's it.

 

[TheMedic00]

I get a weird sort of echo on some music/movies on the 271, but other than that, I have found them to be very good headphones. They feel sturdy and are comfortable for long sessions. Does anyone else notice some echo when using these?

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMedic00 Does anyone else notice some echo when using these?

Every once and a while, but a little reverb is expected with any closed headphone I think. On the upside I think that closed headphones present a more realistic soundstage and imaging [if not quite as large] as some of the high end open headphones. I think that is part of the reason that the K340 has such good imaging as it seems to be partially closed in design.

 

[Helter Skelter]

Well, my 6 year old niece likes them.

Myself, I enjoy them quite a bit. I use them when I want closed cans but don't quite need the isolation that my ER-6i provides. They are more or less my primary portable cans (along with my SR-60), I use them out of my Karma and laptop quite fequently. They are a bit lean on the bass, even when amped, but they respond well to a bit of equalization in that area. I like the highs and mids just fine.

 

[DukeTogo]

If you are just interested in tweaking the sound of your K271's, you may want to explore a replacement headphone cable. There are comments on head-fi about how this has improved some people's perception of the sound. Mind you this probably has more benefit if you have first upgraded your amp, but who knows... I haven't tried it yet. I may just get a replacement cable, if for no other reason that I hate the 10 foot one they include (just too long for me).

places to look:

http://www.zucable.com/mobiusakg/
(good remarks on head-fi about this cable)

http://stefanaudioart.com/K271Cable.html
(22 week waiting period!!!)

http://www.headphile.com/page8.html
(haven't heard much about the cable, but everyone seems pleased with this vendor)

The cables are not cheap, so you may be better investing in an amp first.
Glad you're enjoying your K271's... got mine not so long ago and I am totally loving them.

I'm interested in an amp myself too, and have been considering the following product lines (not sure how familiar you are with the various options, since you said you were new to the forum):

http://www.ciaudio.com
http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com
http://www.headamp.com/lite.shtml
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/mf/en...SmallX/SXCANV3
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aural/audition.html
http://home.t-online.de/home/meier-audio/
http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?...&subTopicID=27

Yeah quite a variety to choose from...

 

[plus_c]

I bought my K271's a couple months ago used, and they came with a Zu Mobius. As time has passed, I find myself reaching for the Mobius less and less, mainly for lack of portability. They're thick, add weight, and not really flexible - not an ideal situation for walking around campus. I think the 271's sound great through the stock cable.

I do have to admit that I've been looking into amp options as well. Unfortunately, budget is a big limiting factor for me, so we'll have to see what happens.

 

[philodox]

Well I am a happy Zu Mobius user myself... actually mine is off being resleeved and reterminated right now so I am forced to use the stock cable. I was not prepared for how much I would miss that cable. The bass seems flabby by comparisons and the highs are all crazy. I cant wait to get my Zu Mobius back.