[DefectiveAudioComponent]

I bought an old AKG240 Monitor (with gold color plates on the sides) at a junk items store. There was nothing wrong about it, except for it's sound. Pads and elastics have seen better days, but the drivers appear ok. Except that the sound is completely un-natural. There appears to be good extension of bass and treble. But the sound of it

Switching to the PMB-80 orthodynamic is a real shock. It doesn't have as boomy bass, but everything sounds so much more natural. Nothing sounds real on the AKG, somewhat ironic, especially the bass sounds absolutely terrible, just an indistinct whup-sound.

Is that un-natural sound characteristic for the AKG lineup?

(all is my opinion of course. perhaps someone else would love the sound of the 240 Monitor)

 

[pistolsnipe]

did you check under the foam on the drivers? monitors have a pad between the earpads and driver, which always disintegrates, and gets caught in the driver

 

[DefectiveAudioComponent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolsnipe /img/forum/go_quote.gif did you check under the foam on the drivers? monitors have a pad between the earpads and driver, which always disintegrates, and gets caught in the driver

The foam did turn into dust when I touched it. Maybe it's time to take it apart for some cleaning up. I wouldn't mind it sounding a lot better.

 

[Acix]

I remember the monitor sound a little better then the studio version, but... this was 15 years ago. I hope the cleaning will save them.

 

[Kabeer]

I think its just the PMB is better

Also if they were abused maybe it affected sound. My MP Sextett had less treble than my EP Sextett when it should have been the other way around....(the MP was well used, and the EP was NOS)

 

[moonboy403]

I have the DF version of the K240 and I must say that it sounds excellent for what I paid for ($80). Sure, it's a bit cuppy sounding due to its closed design and the imaging is a little too diffused, but the overall tonality, balance, and clarity is pretty good.

 

[ourfpshero]

the 240m 600 ohm is an awesome headphones, the best i have heard from akg. it likes a LOT of amp, but should sound neutral to warmish

 

[lejaz]

If the foam has disintegrated and fallen into the driver, that could be the problem. I also have a k240DF which is very clear and natural sounding...a lot more so than the newer k240S...but even that one doesn't sound as bad as you describe your 240M.

 

[rhythmdevils]

I haven't heard the M version. But of all descriptions i could think of for the Sextett, or S version, unnatural is certainly not one of them. That's actually one of the only selling points for me on the Sextetts, and I don't think the monitors sound that much different. I don't know how the sextetts achieve that natural sound, but I guess it's that they are all about the most ungodly gorgeous mids possible, and everything else falls to the wayside.

 

[JeckyllAndHyde]

There has to be something wrong with Yours 240m. I personally think they're one of the best vintage Akgs. I liked mine even more than K500.
The foam problem is very common, but it shouldnt affect sound this much!
I'd try to (re)burn them and try then. The drivers could get stiff after 20+ years of not being used.

 

[rhythmdevils]

or someone could have left them in the hot sun for a few years

 

[mypasswordis]

Nah, because then they'd be well burned-in.

 

[oqvist]

My parents got them with their brand new stereo at the time. I do agree they do sound artificial but not to shabby overall

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

My K240M 600 ohm sound wonderful, so I wonder if something is wrong with yours. Mine are very neutral, transparent and detailed, with a good balance between bass, mids and highs. I bought mine from a guy on eBay who was auctioning off a bunch of Stevie Wonder's old gear that his ex-wife left in a storage unit and didn't pay for. I thought about buying the digital tape recorder with brail on the faceplate, but couldn't afford it.

Smeggy turned my other pair into an SFI ortho (fosterphone) so if your drivers are bad that is another option.

 

[smeggy]

I've heard a few 240 variants and a guy at work has a 240m and It doesn't do anything for me, I found them dull and lifeless at best.