[Keiko]

I've been a big fan of AKG's over sennheiser & Audio-Technica. I wont say AKG is better then those two though, just for what I like most cans fit the bill with them. I've been looking for another set of AKG's since im currently in Germany & the prices are dramatically lower compared to home country.
 
I own:
K272
K701
K450
K420
GHS1
K242
K319
K370
 
Currently it's a choice between the AKG K-99 & K530. I've heard decent things about the 99's & I'm aware the 530's are a tab shady, bieng a revamp of the failed 301 lineup. I have to put the purchase order in soon so comments on which one would be really appreciated since I cant test either of them myself in a real shop.
 
-Kei

 

[rhythmdevils]

You seriously need some vintage AKGs. K240 sextett, silver k141, k340, and a k501 or k401/400. I wouldn't bother with the ones you're considering.

 

[lejaz]

Yeah, I seriously need to try those too! What is it about the 141 silver that you prefer over the newer 'gold' ones. I've seen them pop up on ebay but didn't know enough about them to take the plunge. I'm a fan of good, realistic 'mids' and vocals above all else. Never heard a sextett either.
Quote:

You seriously need some vintage AKGs. K240 sextett, silver k141, k340, and a k501 or k401/400. I wouldn't bother with the ones you're considering.

 

[modskwod]

I can say that the AKG 141 Studio edition 'phones are very good ones.  My dad has some for mixing and while not all that great for that purpose, they are good music headphones.  They have more bass than you want if you're mixing, but the mids are clear and the highs sparkle.  Beware if you wear glasses, however.  The cups push on your ears and grow uncomfortable after 20 minutes or so of listening because the sides of your glasses start digging in.  Good luck!

 

[Proglover]

you could try a 240 S/MKII, K601 maybe
 
try to get a 2nd handed K501

 

[lejaz]

If you mean the k141S I agree...the 240S has bloated upper bass and can't match the clarity/transparency of the k240DF. The DF could use a little more bass however.
 
Quote:

I can say that the AKG 141 Studio edition 'phones are very good ones.  My dad has some for mixing and while not all that great for that purpose, they are good music headphones.  They have more bass than you want if you're mixing, but the mids are clear and the highs sparkle.  Beware if you wear glasses, however.  The cups push on your ears and grow uncomfortable after 20 minutes or so of listening because the sides of your glasses start digging in.  Good luck!

 

[rhythmdevils]

Having an AKG collection with only their newest headphones is like having a Wine collection with nothing but Charles Shaw to represent California.  No offense of course, I'm just saying you should get some of the old ones.
 
The K141 silver has very good mids Lejaz.  Equal to the Sextett, which have some of the most realistic mids of any headphone ever made.  They do have some weaknesses, but for mids they are hard to beat.  I haven't heard the gold ones, but I just don't have any interest because AKG has never improved a model when they re-badge it or re-color it or add a letter to the name.  Ever.  And I'm sure the K141 is not an exception.  The K141 silver is one of the best deals in the headphone world.  It is slightly different but equal to the Sextett and you can often find them for 40 bucks.  Some have said they prefer it to the Sextett.  But there seem to be different versions, I'm not sure.  Only way to be sure is to see that nice 70's colored box that says "Cardan"

 

[Acix]

The K140/141 are cool, but maybe you save some money for the K-1000 is just more enjoyable concept.  

 

[rhythmdevils]

IMO, these are the most important AKG's from past to present.  Did I miss anything?
 
K140 w/silver cups
K141 w/silver cups
K240 Sextett
K340 electrostat/dynamic hybrid
K400
K501
K1000
K280 / K290
K240 Monitor
K240 DF
K240 Studio
K271 w/silver cups
K601
K701
Q701 (just kidding

)

 

[lejaz]

K240DF for acoustic jazz
 
Quote:

IMO, the most important AKG's from past to present are these.  Did I miss anything?
 
K140 w/silver cups
K141 w/silver cups
K240 Sextett
K340 electrostat/dynamic hybrid
K400
K501
K1000
K240 Monitor
K240 Studio
K271 w/silver cups
K601
K701
Q701 (just kidding

)

 

[ardgedee]

K250? It's one of AKG's more obscure phones, and the one I have is rebadged as a Realistic Pro 50.
 
It's a Sextett, and sounds very similar to the K240 LP. Maybe a little more punch in the mid bass and not as large a soundstage, but I haven't done enough serious comparison listening to say more.
 
Some photos of each for reference (from Fitz):
 
SOLD: AKG K250 [K]
 
SOLD: Realistic Pro 50 (AKG K250) [J]
 
AKG also made some phones on contract for Philips and possibly other companies, too. Search around the site - there have been a couple threads about them.

 

[rhythmdevils]

Quote:

K240DF for acoustic jazz

of course!  Forgot about those babies.  I've never heard them actually, but don't have tons of interest with so many descriptions of them being bright and bass light, which is why I don't like the K501 too much.  Would still like to sometime though.  I also added the K280 and K290 just because they're part of AKG's innovative past. 

 

[lejaz]

Not as tilted towards the highs as the 70X, though. I'd say more balanced in that regard. Someone described them to me as a cross between the k240M and the k501. Forgot to mention they do great with classic rock... IMO, of course
Quote:

Quote:

K240DF for acoustic jazz

of course!  Forgot about those babies.  I've never heard them actually, but don't have tons of interest with so many descriptions of them being bright and bass light, which is why I don't like the K501 too much.  Would still like to sometime though.  I also added the K280 and K290 just because they're part of AKG's innovative past. 

 

[tmblack]

The AKG 241 were just below the 340. Where do they fit in the pedigree?

 

[CFabian]

About the silver K141, they are one of the most musically engaging headphones I've owned. They have a warm bass presentation, a liquid midrange and very smooth highs. But they also lack detail and have a tendency to sound congested as a result of their flat soundstage combined with their warmer sound. Still, they remind me a lot of a less refined (but more forward sounding) W10VTG in regards to tone. If they were more comfortable I'm sure I'd use them a lot more, but the pads on mine are pretty flat and I can only stand to wear them for so long. I should have a Sextett with me soon so I'm hoping they will compare favorably with the K141.