CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Headphone Measurements => Topic started by: Marvey on May 27, 2015, 05:02:42 AM
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AKG High Performance Closed-Back DJ Headphones - K181DJ
Somebody said they were going to send me some headphones for me to check out. When I opened the box, I saw these cheap headphones and I was like WTF? Well, it turns out these headphones are pretty darn good. It's a supra-aural design meaning the pads go over the ears.
There are two bass boost switches, one on each earcup. The bass boost is actually tastefully done and doesn't intrude into the mids. I prefer the headphones without the bass boost. Yeah, decent plankton too. This headphone is definitely a competitor around the $125 arena. I should keep this headphone around to compare against the other headphones in the cheap headphone comparo: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2013.msg54989.html#msg54989 (http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2013.msg54989.html#msg54989)
I'll pass this to Ultra / OJNeg. Measurements below. Not bad, eh. The headphone sounds a bit warmer than measurements would indicate. I didn't have any subjective issues with the treble.
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Yep, Solderdude also recommended this pair on his website.
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This has been my favourite portable headphone for years. Solderdude measured my K181 last year.
If you do not like the HD25 or Pioneer series this AKG is one of the best picks. Not the most comfortable yet the sound makes up for it.
Also AKG applies its proprietary detachable cables with this headphone which gives you extra options.
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Yeah, I think Massdrop had these up for sale a bit ago... Bass switches... maybe Sennheiser is on to something.. ... :p >:D
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If you do not like the HD25 or Pioneer series this AKG is one of the best picks. Not the most comfortable yet the sound makes up for it.
That's a good way to think of it. I did not like HD25 because of its stridency. This is a good headphone for workplace.
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Will check them out if they make their way to me for sure. :)p5
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Do you have a FR/CSD with the bass boost on?
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Deep Funk: I think these are the new version of the K181. Wonder if they sound any different?
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They seem to share some similarities (https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/brands-a/) with the pair Solderdude measured a while ago. How's the channel matching on the new set?
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Deep Funk: I think these are the new version of the K181. Wonder if they sound any different?
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...
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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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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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Looks like this thread came to a stand still right after the Massdrop deal ends :-S
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This is back on Massdrop....one day left
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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
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11065;image)
Distortion Right
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11067;image)
Distortion Left
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11069;image)
Distortion Right (bass boost)
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11071;image)
Distortion Left (bass boost)
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11073;image)
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CSD Right
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11075;image)
CSD Left
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11077;image)
CSD Bass Boost Right
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11079;image)
CSD Bass Boost Left
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11081;image)
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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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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.
(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2458.0;attach=11083;image)
"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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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.
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To think that I like it sound without bass boost in particular. With certain music though that bass boost is very pleasant.