[Melchior]

Hi guys, I've been lurking for a while now, lots of good info here. I havent really upgraded any of my audio components for the past 2 years, and I'm itching for a new toy The hard part is deciding where to put in my money first. You can see the less than audiophile grade stuff I use down in my sig right now. I'm debating on getting new phones (non-akg phones need not apply) , a new soundcard, or an amp. I'm really leaning towards the AKG 401's or a M-audio Revo right now, since my stuff can drive these 600 ohm 240 M's well past comfortable, without any real distortion that I can pick up, and I'm guessing that a really good amp might reveal more flaws in my source than I'd like to listen to. I have a max budget of 150, which also limits amp choices.

On the headphones: What exactly are the physical build differences between the 501 and 401? I'm guessing the 501 might have quality binned drivers. I know of the leather headband (ooh, leather

) What are the outer covers made of, is that a plastic grill? or a cloth covered frame. I'll also consider thoughts on the sound quality of the 240S compared to the M type. I really dont think I'll be getting another 240, as the pleather pads harden signifigantly after 2 years, they're starting to get uncomfortable now. The detachable cable is neat though.

Thanks for any help!!

Oops: forgot to include what I use em for...lol

gaming= non-issue, I dont game much more, and disable EAX cuz it sounds like ass.
I listen to classical, metal, CCR and classic rock in general, Jazz, all sortsa stuff. I like the 240M sound, and I'm fine with the bass extension, so any improvement is fine with me. I watch dvd's on my puter exclusively too, so I'm looking forward to experiencing this uber-wide AKG soundstage firsthand. It takes a back seat to fidelity lost cuz of my source though.

 

[wallijonn]

Melchior,

welcome to Head-fi.

there is actually very little difference between the K401 an the K501, even in the drivers. the K401 is about 99% the sound quality of the K501. modify the cable, though, and some differences do come out. you can try looking for some of J-Curve's frequency response curves.

other than the top leather headband, all the parts are interchangeable between the two. (I own both, and have taken both apart).

soundwise, i prefer the K501.

 

[Melchior]

I dont think I'll be doing any cable mods.. my soldering skills are... ahh, non existant

 

[tommyatkins]

btw, plastic grill.

TA

 

[MagusG]

Melchior? from chrono trigger no? if not, still a kick ass nick.
-Mag

 

[Melchior]

Chronotrigger = teh cool. It's not where I got my name from though. I'm sure you know the real origins of the name. My nick is actually a reference to the anime Eva, and one of the 3 supercomputers, which I basically named my puter after.

 

[lini]

Melchior: Just for your interest, my AKG history was K240M -> K240M -> K400 -> K501 -> K240S. And to my ears, there was a small, but significant difference between the K401 and K501 - the K401 is a little bit brighter, and for me that's already a tad too shrill (it was the other way round with the K400 and K500, btw). The K240S is a different beast with noticably more bass - the certain lack of which on the K501 had turned into an issue for me over the years... There's less soundstage on the K240S, though - nevertheless I like its imaging. I also like the more "golden" coloration of the K240S in the highs in contrast to the more "silvery" coloration on the K401/501 and the 250-Ohm-Beyerdynamics...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Melchior]

Hrmm, the 240 S sounds really cool, and I do like the construction on my M, the pleather pads are a turn off though. Are there any velour pads out there that'll fit it?

Edit: Any links to a response graph that compares the 240s with the 401/501/240M ?? I was over at headroom's site yesterday and didnt see any graphs for it.

 

[lini]

Melchior: Well, one gets used to the pleather pads, I'd say - but maybe Beyerdynamic pads would work. I've never tried, though. But as it's not a wicked construction, I'd guess one could even sew something appropriate oneself...

For the response graphs, I only know the ones that were published in magazine reviews over here. Remarkable was the exceptional smoothness, I've rarely seen for any other headphone. A bit of a lower mid-bass hump (but only a smooth and fairly flat one) was also to be seen.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[wallijonn]

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...ighlight=curve

all the response graphs you could possibly want.

 

[Melchior]

Hrmm, make my own pads.. thats a thought, the construction "is" simple. I was used to the pleather btw, its really nice.. for 2 years, then mine started getting hard, I use them every day, so skin oils may not react to it too good.

And Walli... that 401 graph is scary, I wish the 240M graph was accurate, so I could compare. According to my ears and headrooms graphs the sub-40 hz region takes some effort to hear on the 240M, unless you have the volume jacked to levels that would be painful in the midrange freq. 20 hz is for all intents and purposes not there on the 240m no matter what you do with the volume.