[fatman711]

Help me choose my first set!

Don't want to break the bank. Less than $100 please


What is the diff between 240S and 240M? Which one is better?

Thanks

 

[johnanderson]

From what I've heard 240M is better but you need an amp to drive them. Sextetts are even better but it'll probably be over your price. I would look for a used pair of k501. Saw some in the FS section but dont know if they've sold yet.

 

[fatman711]

how much do K501s run for?

 

[dcc84]

I got some 240 s's because when I bought them I didn't have an amp. If flats what you're looking for, run run away. But, they have a pretty boomy bass and do a tremendous job on drums. Plus, they clean up nicely even with a pa2v2. BTW, how'd your modding go?

 

[fatman711]

which modding? The woodie Grados? If you're talking about those, sadly no luck so far.

 

[facelvega]

Venturing into AKG with just one headphone means making a call: do you want their "studio" sound (relatively forward, mids-focused, better for rock, some would say) or their "reference" sound (relatively distant, analytical, better for classical music or jazz, maybe)?

Studio phones would be the K240 in all its versions, K340 too, K140/1, K250/60/70/80/90, K241/71, and maybe a few others I'm not thinking of.

Reference phones, including K701/601/501/401 and K400/500. I guess in a sense K1000 would fit here too in a way.

There are big differences between any two phones on either side, of course, but I would argue that it still really amounts to two different house sounds. $100 options on either side means vintage mostly, K240M or S (and don't pay over $60 for an M!), maybe one of the rarer ones that isn't a sextett if you're lucky, or on the other side a K400, 500, or 401.

 

[The Other Allen]

X2 I bought all three of my AKGs in the for sale section of Head-Fi for decent prices (all within the past 12 months). 240M, $60; 240S, $65; K501, $110.

 

[jellojoe]

I'd recommend the K400 over the K501. They've a tad more bass, but they're more rare. You'd probably need to post a WTB ad. I got mine for <100 USD shipped.

 

[ph0rk]

if you hold out, you may find a k601 for $150ish, which imho would be a great deal and a large slice of what the studio house sound is about.

 

[mccpu]

You can get K240 Sextett for less than 100, if you are willing to be patient. It'll probably need new pads and elastics though which might or might not put you over 100 mark. I think it's well worth it.

 

[Kevin Sinnott]

I have both the k501 and 240M. I like having both, but given a choice to keep just one, I'd keep the 240M. It's just a great set of phones. They are just great all around phones. An amp is definitely necessary with either the 501 or 240M.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnanderson /img/forum/go_quote.gif From what I've heard 240M is better but you need an amp to drive them. Sextetts are even better but it'll probably be over your price. I would look for a used pair of k501. Saw some in the FS section but dont know if they've sold yet.

The K-501 needs a fair amount of power to run well. I don't think they're well suited for portable amps. For me, a tubed desktop amp really makes them sing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatman711 /img/forum/go_quote.gif how much do K501s run for?

Used ones usually go around $100. There's a guy selling a NOS pair on eBay for about $150. Fair price, especially considering you can't get them any longer.

 

[Fungi]

Don't forget the K240DF in the 240 line. I prefer it a lot over the K240M. But the K501 is definitely more suited to classical, orchestral, anything that needs "air"
But if you only have portable amps, none of these are going to be great choices as they are some of the hardest headphones to drive. K240S might be what you're looking for.

 

[nickchen]

Just had another contact with the unprominent K401 last weekend. A nice compromise between studio- and reference sound IMO. Quite payable.

 

[fatman711]

oh sorry guys...forgot to update this thread with my findings.

I always had a deal with another forumer concerning some 340s. Before he shipped it out, he tested them and found that the right channel was faulty

We worked on a deal for some 240Ss

Would love to try them out with the velour pads that a very generous forumer gave away!

Thanks again!