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Author Topic: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions  (Read 3225 times)

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Eric_C

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #10 on: May 28, 2015, 03:59:05 PM »

The K181 has been in production for a while now. Who knows whether this is a re-brand à la K81/518/519 or whether something has changed?

This AKG is the semi-secret alternative in the realm of DJ headphones. People who have them tend to use them. The K181 DJ is not bragged about for its brand image or shiny design. It is a full size headphone with big drivers which folds better than a PX-series Sennheiser and can survive just as much as a HD25.

Some time ago I had a good DT1350 and the K181. I sold the DT1350. That should tell you enough...

You have my attention.
*checks Massdrop page*
...The drop ended. Nevermind.
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Deep Funk

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #11 on: May 28, 2015, 08:25:57 PM »

Used in good condition you can pick these up for about 75 to 50 Dollars/Euros.That is a lot of value for the money.

You do not like the cable? Plenty of other cables with the AKG plugs. Comfort is less but you get isolation and a quite even sound in return with "moar bass switch" for the the bass-head music. Even Classical music benefits sometimes.

The mono switch is great with old music like the 60ties Beatles recordings. Some older music does not sound good in stereo.
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frankh

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2015, 12:59:35 AM »

Looks like this thread came to a stand still right after the Massdrop deal ends  :-S
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frankh

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #13 on: July 06, 2015, 03:13:33 PM »

This is back on Massdrop....one day left
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ultrabike

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2015, 04:02:38 AM »

Somewhere in the shoutbox today I believe there was some talk about good closed headphones. Well, IMO, this is an example of such headphones.

They are well constructed, isolate well, have bass boost option (well done), stereo/mono switch, don't look like they came out of Paris Hilton's closet, and sound pretty darn good. I feel these are neutral w/o bass boost, and nicely warm w bass boost. Given these are supraaural don't expect super comfyness.

This is the UE variant. Other variants offer different tone options. They sell for about $150.

Measurements:

Frequency Response



Distortion Right



Distortion Left



Distortion Right (bass boost)



Distortion Left (bass boost)

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ultrabike

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #15 on: September 22, 2015, 04:03:37 AM »

CSD Right



CSD Left



CSD Bass Boost Right



CSD Bass Boost Left

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Solderdude

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #16 on: September 22, 2015, 04:59:21 AM »

I never got around to test this but the question remained.

I think the HP might sound best 'inbetween' the 2 modes.
Can you measure what happens if the switch (port blocker) is set inbetween the 2 modes ?
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ultrabike

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #17 on: September 22, 2015, 05:12:09 AM »

No problem.

It's a little touchy. Half is almost like bass boost on. You have to get it closer to 1/4 towards bass boost off or less.



"half" (yellow) is with the switch in the middle, while "1/4" (green) is closer to the bass bosst off position.
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Solderdude

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #18 on: September 22, 2015, 06:02:36 AM »

Thanks !

Always felt a little bad I didn't think of this when I had it for measurements.
Looks like with some care you could fix it in a position the bass is just right.

Funny to see how such a little hole can make that much difference (about 10dB) in the bass response.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2015, 07:35:23 AM by Solderdude »
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Deep Funk

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Re: AKG K181 DJ UE Measurements and Quick Impressions
« Reply #19 on: September 23, 2015, 12:19:11 AM »

To think that I like it sound without bass boost in particular. With certain music though that bass boost is very pleasant.
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