Product Description
3.5mm Plug Size / Compatible with Personal CD Player, iPod, Computer, MP3 / Features In-Ear Acoustic Technology / Admits Outside Sound for Safety
Customer Reviews:
Best ear buds - perhaps.......2007-12-26
I've had many brands of earbuds up to $50 - these are the best. The bass is very strong but clean. Got 2 pair now and if I need another set I'll buy another pair of these.
Hello Bass, Please return my music.......2007-12-26
These produced so much bass with my I pod that I could barely hear the music, just the pounding. I like bass, but unless that's all you want to hear, then these are not for you. There were a comfortable fit, but the cord tangles easily.
great buy.......2007-12-25
these headphones are excellent, the sound quality is as good as the headphones 4 times the price. bass is awesome, and the silicone buds actually fit comfortably and block out most background noise. for 30 bucks this is a steal, no point buying the metal ones unless u really want something shiny
Huge improvement over apples earbud.......2007-12-22
These earbuds defiantly hold up to title description and are better then the same price you would pay for apples version. I have a ipod and i also paid a lot of money for apples version of earbuds, while they were significantly louder the thin silicon ear cups were disappointing in holding themselves inside my ear as i worked out. Even more so they were too fragile when the cord got disconnected and i was left with just one working ear bud. I buy these V-MODA and not only does the black color match my black ipod but they were cheaper and work better. The silicon cups are thicker then apples and hold way better, i switched from the small to medium size and hardly move; also due to the thickness it locks out outside noise better. The sound itself is very sharp and the bass itself kicks in on certain songs with a decent beat, i highly recommend you buy these earbuds especially at the price they are being offered. Lastly these earbuds come with a small plastic cord tab to wrap up the excess cord so it doesn't swing wildly around and get caught on corners, very helpful as well at the gym
GREAT headphones.......2007-12-20
Ordered them in white, to match my iphone.
The bass in these are AMAZING. i spend hundred's of dollars on previous headphones, including shure's and bose, and for price, and comfort, these are the best headphones I have ever purchased
Pros: Great Value, comfort, sound, and some noise cancellation. Awesome and sleek design and fit.
Cons: They DO NOT work with the iPhone. The jack is to thick, and the iPhone has a deep jack socket so they are not compatible. Therefore, to use with an iPhone, you need the Belk Adapter, which sticks out like a radio antenna because its so long.
Otherwise. AWESOME deal and Product. Highly Recommended.
Product Description
Audio-Technica has been dedicated to advancing the art and technology of electro-acoustic design and manufacturing since 1962. From a beginning in state-of-the-art phono cartridges, A-T has expanded over the years into high-performance headphones, microphones, mixers and electronic products for home and professional use. In each new area the goal has been to create innovative, problem-solving products. The results of these engineering and production efforts can be seen in the effective use of A-T products in a broad spectrum of applications. Audio-Technica microphones, for example, are found in daily use in major broadcast and recording studios, and relied upon by top touring musicians. A-T mics are chosen for important installations and major events, such as the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Super Bowl, World Cup Soccer and the Olympics. Whether in the home, or in schools and universities, boardrooms, council chambers or places of worship, Audio-Technica products are providing superior performance and exceptional value worldwide.PRODUCT FEATURES:Flat, extended frequency response for mixing/monitoring;Field-replaceable cables, drivers and ear pads;1,600 mW of power handling, high SPL capability;40 mm diameter drivers, neodymium magnets and CCAW voice coils;OFC litz wire cables, convenient one-side exit;Rotating earpieces for easy one-ear monitoring.
Customer Reviews:
Like 'em alot!.......2007-12-23
The quality of these headphones blew me away. They are comfortable, don't squeeze at all, the single cord is nice, lots of padding on the ear cups and head band does its job. The sound quality is superb, no buzz or hum in the background at all, music is reproduced as wonderfully as advertised. The headphones block out most background noise without putting pressure on you ears or head. These headphones are set up with an 1/8" stereo jack, so get a good quality adapter if you have a music player that is newer than 1981. I've been using these headphones alot for the past month since I got them...they seem to be holding up perfectly, nothing is showing wear, sound quality is still great. Buy and be happy!
Excellent sound for an excellent value.......2007-12-04
These are the best headphones I've ever owned. The quality of sound is amazing. It's like hearing my music for the first time. I couldn't be happier with these headphones. The chord is really long so you can move around quite a bit while listening to your music. I also like the over-ear style because it blocks out a lot of noise so you can listen on a lower volume and not miss out on all the musical details. I looked at a lot of noise-canceling headphones, but they all seem to hiss when you turn the noise-canceling feature on, which is really annoying. The style of these headphones muffles a lot of outside noise, so you focus on the crispness of the sound. I was really blown away when I first put these on and can't say enough good about these headphones. If you plan on listening to music on a computer at work (like I do), then you'll need to get a 1/4" to 1/8" audio converter for the plug (a gold plated one runs about $5 at Radio Shack).
Nothing short of WOW!.......2007-11-27
First things first. These are not for kids who wanna listen to all their hardcore screamo death metal at earsplitting volumes. These are not for people who have a 1000 watt sub in their car. These are not for people who take music casually.
These are for recording.
I don't claim to be an expert on what good headphones sound like. I've never had the money to try some 500 dollar audiophile phones. I am a very active musician; I run a studio in my bedroom and my bands practice room. I've been recording in my bedroom for about four years. I use Adobe Audition 2 as my main recording software.
The Audio-Technica ATH M40fs headphones are THE BEST headphones I have ever heard. I'm sure they're not the best in the world. They're just the best I've used, and I'm pretty sure they're the best for the price.
With these headphones I can hear subtleties and nuances that I never believed possible. I can hear breath noise on the flute intro to Yanni's Deliverance. I can hear the bass on Dreamgirl by Dave Matthews without it beng muddy. I can hear the rumbling lows on the intro to The Battle from the Chronicles of Narnia Soundtrack. These headphones are not bassy, nor are they harsh on the mids, they're not overly trebly either. They are very flat as far as I can tell. I love that I can hear all the different parts to music without any of them being over-emphasized.
The downfall to these phones is that they let you hear ALL of the flaws in your own music; it's kind of depressing. If you want to sound like an amazing pro musician just by buying a new pair of headphones...look elsewhere, if you want to hear your mistakes so you can improve, and don't wanna spend a month's paycheck...then these are for you.
The thing that mainly attracted me to these headphones was the frequency range which was wider than the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro's that I originally wanted. On top of that, the price was 40 dollars lower; hard to pass up.
Another feature that makes these worth your while is the Field Replaceable parts. I don't know about you, but I don't have the money to buy a new set of headphones if my cable wears out.
These have pretty good isolation. They won't block as much sound as earplugs but they block enough to keep your sound pretty pure.
If you want to hear your music in a way that you never have then buy these headphones.
Excellent choice for recording and general use.......2007-09-21
Having used many brands and types of headphones over the years in recording studio settings for many years, I was disatisified many times by the performance of many 'cans.' These AT's fit the bill perfectly for my studio as well as home needs: excellent low-end response [what's usually lacking], good design, good price. Highly recommended.
Excellent Monitor Phones for Recording/Mixing.......2007-09-11
I bought these to use with my new Alesis Guitarist Playmate and they are great. They are light and fit the head perfectly. They are very comfortable and can be worn for hours while recording or mixing. The sound is very neutral - you hear what you recorded. They have a very broad freq response. At the price, it would be hard to find a better headphone for recording or studio work where pure reproduction is required.
Product Description
HFI-700 Professional headphones offer complete isolation without giving up the honest sound of an open headphone. High-class, sensitive, gold-plated drivers provide a maximum of transparency.
Customer Reviews:
Without question the best!!!.......2007-12-05
The Ultrasone HFI 700 S-logic Surround Sound Professional headphones come with an audio CD that feature various instruments and sound effects. One becomes aware almost immediately that these headphones are unlike any other you have ever placed upon your ears.
As you listen to the various tracks you can picture in your mind exactly where each musician is seated. And for a brief moment you can believe that you are sitting right there in one of the chairs.
One of the sound effects on the included audio CD is that of a country meadow, with birds and bees and flies.
I had the headphones on, working at my computer, when I heard the flying insect in my ear and reached up to swat it away from ear and only then realized that it was the CD!
I used to work in a stereo store that use to sell B&O products. There was a ritual that, we employees, used to sell these very expensive speakers to a prospective buyer, that would never fail.
Whenever a customer was walking in through the door of our store and we had a interested customer contemplating this enormous purchase, we would put a CD by Heart on the B&O player.
One of their songs began with the sound of coins hitting the ground and bouncing several times.
Every single customer we played that part of the song for, would bend over to retrieve the coin only to discover that the floor was completely covered in carpeting.
I write those paragraphs to illustrate to you and compare the high-end B&O speakers with these wonderful Surround sound headphones!
I own a pair of Bose Quiet Comfort headphones also which, though they are very nice, and are very comfortable, they still sound like the sound is actually coming from one or both sides of the headphones. The Ultrasone HFI 700 S-Logic headphones make your senses feel that you are there in the moment of recording and you are not wearing anything on your head.
Buy them and prepare to be transported to a new sound dimension!
not good in all situations (e.g., electronica).......2007-11-19
I was really excited to get these headphones after reading the overwhelmingly positive reviews. I couldn't wait so I had them shipped overnight. I'm sorry to say that I've been disappointed with the headphones. Here are my impressions . . .
First, these headphones are very clinically accurate. You can hear details on these things that you won't hear on other headphones. In my case, I listen to a lot of electronica, where little clicks and beeps are always right below the surface -- to keep things complex and interesting. With these headphones, those sounds are brought up right alongside the main instruments. So, the actual music takes second stage to the now annoyingly obvious noises. I can't find a way to EQ these sounds out without cutting too much of the good sound.
Second, I really love bass. There is no such thing as too much bass. However, these headphones do something really annoying with the bass. With each thump, the pressure buildup in the cup is very high (I suppose because the cans are sealed). It is an effect similar to cupping your hands and bringing them together on your ears -- it can actually be painful. Again, I can cut the bass to relieve the pressure, but in doing so, I lose the low-end goodness, and ruin the song.
Third, overall -- these headphones seem to emphasize the trees over the forest. I can hear everything, but it just doesn't sound musical. I have $20 headphones that sound more musical than these. Each part in the song sounds distinct -- great for dissecting the music, but not for enjoying it. Maybe the headphones work better with other genres.
Fourth, these headphones have the most aggravating cord ever made. It is very long and balls up tightly on its own. Every time I use the headphones, I have to spend a minute untangling the stubborn cord. I know, you think excessive wire curl-osity is a minor problem . . . just wait and see.
Having said all that, these headphone are very good for DVDs (but are too quiet for a line-level signal). Ambient sound effects are given more immediacy. Note that these are not the DVD version (HFI-700 DVD), which I suppose have a few additional tweaks.
If you are going to order these headphones (or any other expensive pair), make sure you can return them. Many online vendors do not let you return headphones. Better yet -- try before you buy, if you can.
Ultrasone Headphones Rock!.......2007-11-07
These headphones are by far the best I have ever owned. No matter what you are listening to, from the computer to an iPod, these are the best sounding headphones for the price. Excellent separation of sound coupled with just the right amount of bass (and I love a deep thumping bass) makes these some of the best I've heard.
well worth it.......2007-10-28
These headphones are well worth the price. I'm not an audiophile, but for this price, I definitely want to get my money's worth. And with these headphones you do! Put in the demo cd when you get these and you will see in the first 5 seconds what they are capable of. Amazing! Sound great with cd's, dvd's, and other digital audio recordings. I use these for research and they really help pick up every detail of the recording. Also extremely comfortable to wear. I couldn't recommend them more highly. Enjoy!
Takes a little getting used to, but...........2007-09-30
Ordered these headphones after going through umpteen reviews on C-net, amazon and ultrasone websites. I must say I wasn't quite immediately blown out by the music that is produced on this pair, as I was expecting to be. But after certain burn in and getting used to, I'm beginning to love it. The clarity on the HFI700s is just amazing and must be heard to be believed. The bass is just sweetly balanced and not overwhelming. External noise is blocked out so well that you can almost hear your breathe when music isn't playing !
Minor nits: is that since the ear covers are made of leather, it can lead to heat build up and sweating after prolonged listening.
And the connector cable is not detachable from the ear cups and are fairly long...not very convenient to use with portable players.
With their amazing build quality ...I'm sure I'll stick to this one for years to come !
Product Description
The Studio version of these classic hi-fi stereo headphones uses XXL speakers with Varimotion diaphragms for higher sensitivity, a wider dynamic range, and higher sound levels. Other features include semi-open earphones, a solid bass range, clear highs, and excellent comfort. It also connects to portable equipment (CD players, DAT recorders, notebook computers, etc.)
Customer Reviews:
Best bang for the buck!.......2007-12-25
Great sounding headphones and very comfortable. Bought these to replace my Sony V6's of 10 years (broken due to my nephew sitting on them), which were still in great shape. So, $150 was my maximum amount that I was willing to spend on a pair of headphones for home, since I already have my pair of Shure e5's for when I'm out-and-about. I decided on these after reading a whole bunch of reviews and after trying out several headphones (Sony V6's/MDR-V900's, Sennheiser HD-280's, Bose Triports), but the K240 stood out as the clear winner for me, even next to the more expensive K271's. The headphones are extremely comfortable and were made even more so when I added a set of Nice Cans headphone covers (the stock pleather ones got a little sweaty and sticky when I wore them for more than an hour). The suspension system is pure genius taking the weight and tension off the ears and putting it on the top of my head, even after wearing for 4 or more hours. Also, if the cord ever get's destroyed or develops a short, it can be replaced by unplugging the existing one and putting a new one on. As a matter of fact, each individual part can be bought from AKG and replaced if one wears out (which I highly doubt). All in all, after a month of use, these have completely left the V6's in the history books. As time goes on and the drivers loosen up even more, the sound gets better and better! They do need a little time to sound as good as their potential, like my Shure's, so have a little patience. I would recommend these phones to anyone, especially if using an ipod or any other low power audio device. Great phones and enjoy!
All about comfort!!.......2007-11-22
These headphones are extremely comfterable after hours of use, even if you wear glasses like I do. After watching movies for 5 hours, I forget I even have them on.
Another big thing I was worried about with the semi-open design was that it might leak out to much sound, and be annoying to my roomates. In a small, quiet room, if I turn them up really loud, my roomates can hear them a little. But with "normal" listening volume, they did not hear anything! This is great for people who don't want to disturb anyone.
The sound is realy something you fall in love with the more you listen to them. The quality is so clear, I can now hear parts of songs I never knew exsisted! Listening to orchastrel pieces, it really comes alive as I can now hear every finite detail of complecated pieces. Intially I thought the bass was lacking, but I find it is actually just more true to what it really sounds like. I actually find using a flat EQ produces the best sound, but if you like more bass, just change your EQ to bassbosster and it will provide very clear, strong bass.
They only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating was because when I first got them the left side wasn't working. I played around with it a little, and it started to work again, but I'm afraid it could be a problem in the future. So far this has not been the case, but many people seem to have this problem, so I would use care with the phones.
Overall they are the perfect headphone, and highly recomended.
Good Build Quality and Open-Air Style Maximizes Sound.......2007-11-16
I have four pair of headphones costing between 20-50 dollars, including such brands as Sennheiser, Logitech, Sony, and Eton. They're all capable headphones but they're Closed-Back style, which, while keeping external sound out, is also harder on the ears and which, I've read, compromises sound. So for my ear safety and for a bigger sound, I opted for the AKG K24. Here's what I like: Good build quality, comfortable large ear gel ear cups, microjack fits in iPod without needing an adapter (true of all my other headphones). The sound is good, great even, but I wouldn't go so far to say they produce the "wow factor." However, be aware of the fact that I don't pump up the volume very loud because I don't want to blast my eardrums. Are they worth the price? That's a subjective question. For many who want to spend less on an Open-Ear headphone without compromising sound, I think most will be happy with the 20-dollar Audio-Technica ATH-MZX Open-Ear headphones.
Great!.......2007-11-07
I really love these, I use them for everything from editing music to playing Half Life 2, they have great response through all the ranges, even good bass, which is abnormal for Studio phones, but nice! 2 of the best features of these are the self adjusting headband (makes them very comfortable), and the removable cord (allowing you to upgrade your cord, get a curly cord, or a higher grade cable). I don't get sweaty ears wearing these, which is what I usually hate when vinyl covered ear pads, and they are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without taking them off-I've had them on for 6 hours or more some times. the cord is nice and nice, overall these were exactly what I was looking for in my headphone purchase.
tough to beat at the price.......2007-10-30
These are the phones to buy for 95 bucks. They shine thru the midrange and have a rolled off treble to deal with today's harsh recordings. However, the bass will distort if you turn them up with heavy rock. The circular earcups actually grab my ears on the extremities even though I have small ears. Otherwise, they are comfortable. These are better than Sonys of equivalent price, but if you want the bass to come thru at high volume and a more open and refined sound overall I would recommend the 60 dollar stretch to discounted Sennheiser HD580s.
Product Description
AKG's K271 Monitoring Headphones are the DJ's most unfailing tool. The closed-back, circumaural earphones provide maximum attenuation of high ambient noise. No sound leaks from these headphones - you'll hear the highest highs and lowest lows. It offers the same performance as studio headphones, but is much lighter and easier to use and with a natural, pristine sound. Frequency Range - 16 Hz to 28 kHz Rated Impedance - 55 ohms THD -
<0.3% Gold plated stereo mini jack; Gold plated mini to 1/4 screw-on adapter jack Plug-in cable with mini XLR connector Weight - 8.5 oz. (240 g)
Customer Reviews:
Terrific price-to-quality ratio.......2007-12-19
These headphones are terrific. The audio reproduction seems very well balanced, and while the closed design does attenuate external sounds, they are not boomy unlike most typical closed-design phones. They are quite comfortable and light. They do not fold, so they are not ideal for traveling, but the low impedance will allow them to reproduce any audio surprisingly well from even the wimpiest of MP3 player. With an external headphone amp, they can put out very clean concert level audio with very little distortion. Careful about hearing loss, these fantastic cans sure are capable of accelerating it. Over all, they are real bargain for the quality, and they come with as two year USA waranty. Highly recommended!
Excellent sealed (closed) cans for noisy environs!.......2007-08-24
Much lighter and better built than the 7506s it replaced, the 271S is a tremendous set of headphones. Three weeks into using them 8 hours a day, the sound is brilliant, clear, transparent, with great impact -- and only gets better when paired with a good headphone amp. Mine are fed by a Firestone Audio Cute BEYOND headphone amp, and the results are quite remarkable.
These cans have a seductive midrange, crystal-clear highs, and a well-tempered, articulate bass. Overall the sound is transparent, lively, very well detailed, yet smooth. The better the source, the better the recording, the better these will do. When you listen to reference-caliber recordings, your eyes will bug out. They're good. Really good. Incredible on voices. The music's great, of course -- incredible, even -- but the voices.. oh man. Violin and cello lovers will also appreciate the midrange these cans have.
Lack of comfort is what drove me away from my previous cans, and the 271 delivers comfort in spades. Lightweight, well-built, comfortable enough to be worn all day long. So comfortable, in fact, I forget I am wearing them.
If you're a music lover trapped in a noisy open office or cubicle farm, these are what the good doctor ordered. They muffle the outside world, and the outside world won't hear what you're listening to.
Nice headphones for the price.......2007-03-11
I tested many closed-back headphone brands in my search for a replacement for my Sony MDR-V6 and landed on the AKGs. While the AKGs lack the liveliness of the V6s, I feel they are more "accurate". My spouse prefers the V6s, however. The AKGs are comfortable, even for a person with a touch larger head like myself. They are certainly larger than the V6s and look a bit geeky, but in the confines of ones own home, I guess who cares. The AKGs are a great match for my Nano. There appears to be just enough power available in the Nano to drive the AKGs to decent volumes. They won't make your ears bleed, however, for that one may want to invest in an external amp. Don't get me wrong, the AKGs do not require an amp for use with a portable device. Also, the AKGs do not drain the Nano like my Sony V-600s did. More on par with the Sony MDR-V6s I was replacing. Overall, the AKGs are a nice set of headphones.
Acurate Audio Monitor Quality.......2006-09-28
If you read my previous review of the Bose Triport Headphones where I said these were the greatest. . . I take it back. I won't say I lied, but I will say I am now better educated. The AKG K271 headphones are only slightly more expensive, but they are in another world of quality. One of the two headphones is priced wrong.
Let me get my annoyances with the K271 out of the way. One of the features is an on / off switch that is built in to headband of the `phones. The idea is that if you are in a recording session and these headphones are not in use, no sound will come out from the speakers. These days my hairstyle resembles a classic Friar Tuck with a generous portion of solar panel on top. Without an excess of bushy hair, I've got to push the headphones down to get them to play. The first time I put them on I thought I had a defective set as I was not hearing any sound. Lesson learned very quickly: place the headphones snugly on your head! Disappointment 2 is there is no adjustment for the headband size.
Once they were properly in place, the sound is sweet. The midrange is really opened up, the highs are clean and the bass is there without being overpowering. By way of contrast, the Bose highs are piercing, the bass overrides the midrange and the midrange, if there is no bass to overpower it, is mediocre. In short, there is no comparison in sound quality between the two sets of headphones. AKG advertises a dynamic range of 16 Hz - 28,000 kHz. While the extremes are considered beyond the range of normal hearing, I do believe that by being able to reproduce harmonics in the ranges outside of normal hearing, the K271 comes as close as you can to reproducing a truly live sound.
There is also a world of difference in construction. These are designed with daily use, and for long periods of time, in mind. The metal portion of the headband is rock solid but still light weight, the padding for your ears is comfortable, the cord is heavy duty and user replaceable. Compare this to the narrow headband of the Bose, thin hard wired cord and the slider that is now held together by a cable tie.
If you are looking for a set of headphones for indoor critical listening, these are the ones. Save the Triports for hooking up to your portable player. They are still a good set of headphones, but not in the same league as the AKG K271.
Average customer rating:
- A dissapointing unit from E-mu
- Incredible quality at a bargain price
- Great starting point for a budding audiophile
- Very nice
- Decent, but better options available
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E-MU EM8761 Professional Quality USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface with 4 Inputs & 4 Outputs including Mic/Line/Digital/Headphone
Manufacturer: E-MU
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics
Office Electronics
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Refurbished & Used
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Special Features
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Electronics Features
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Electronics
Interfaces
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MIDI Equipment
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Hardware
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Computer Audio
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Sound & Recording Equipment
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Products
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Musical Instruments
Interfaces
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MIDI Equipment
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Electronic Music
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Sound & Recording Equipment
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Products
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Musical Instruments
Interfaces
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MIDI Equipment
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Sound & Recording Equipment
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Products
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Musical Instruments
USB-Based Audio I/O
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Computer Recording
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Recording & Pro Audio
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Products
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USB-Based Audio I/O
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Computer Recording
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Computers & Software
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Products
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Similar Items:
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HOSA STANDARD MIDI CABLE - MIDI CABLE, 15ft. BLACK
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HOSA DUAL MIDI CABLE, 4m (13.2 ft.)
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KRK RP5 Rokit Powered Studio Monitor - single speaker
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CONNECTIONS 5 Foot Long MIDI to MIDI Connect Cable
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XLR to XLR Microphone Cable
Product Features:
- Premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters (A/D: 113dB SNR, D/A: 117dB SNR) deliver unmatched USB audio fidelity
- E-MU XTC Class-A ultra-low noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamplifiers (-127dB EIN) with 48V phantom power and ground lift switches enable you to plug microphones, keyboards and guitars straight into your computer with professional results
- Comprehensive digital I/O with optical and coaxial S/PDIF (switchable to AES/EBU) and MIDI In/Out to easily connect all of your digital studio gear and instruments
- Hardware zero-latency direct monitoring (mono/stereo) allows you to record and overdub with no annoying delay
- Cross-platform support (Windows XP/x64 and Mac OS X) and compatibility with most popular audio/sequencer applications (Windows: ASIO2, WDM, MME, AC-3 and DTS Passthru; Macintosh: Apple CoreAudio, CoreMIDI, AC-3 and DTS Passthru)
ASIN: B000IXNE3E
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Product Description
The E-MU's 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface delivers an unparalleled level of audio performance to your PC with premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters, pristine XTC mic/line/hi-Z preamps, ultra-low jitter clock and rock-solid stability. From its plug-and-play functionality and hands-on ergonomic design to professional features and signal-to-noise specs that are simply unmatched by any other USB interface on the market, the 0404 USB will forever change your expectations of USB audio. The 0404 USB also ships with the E-MU Production Tools Software Bundle that includes E-MU's Proteus VX, as well as software by Cakewalk, Steinberg, Ableton, IK Multimedia, and many more - everything you need to create, record, edit and master your music. Premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters (A/D: 113dB SNR, D/A: 117dB SNR) deliver unmatched USB audio fidelity E-MU XTC Class-A ultra-low noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamplifiers (-127dB EIN) with 48V phantom power and ground lift switches enable you to plug microphones, keyboards and guitars straight into your computer with professional results, while the built-in analog soft limiting circuit lets you record a hotter signal without fear of clipping Comprehensive digital I/O with optical and coaxial S/PDIF (switchable to AES/EBU) and MIDI In/Out to easily connect all of your digital studio gear and instruments Ultra-low latency Windows XP and x64 USB 2.0 drivers offer accurate timing and playback of your recorded audio and...
From the Manufacturer
E-MU's new 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface delivers an unparalleled level of audio performance to your Mac or PC with premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters, pristine XTC mic/line/hi-Z preamps, ultra-low jitter clock and rock-solid stability. From its plug-and-play functionality and hands-on ergonomic design to professional features and signal-to-noise specs that are simply unmatched by any other USB interface on the market, the 0404 USB will forever change your expectations of USB audio. The 0404 USB also ships with the E-MU Production Tools Software Bundle that includes E-MU's Proteus VX, as well as software by Cakewalk, Steinberg, Ableton, IK Multimedia, and many more - everything you need to create, record, edit and master your music.
The E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 features:
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Premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters* (A/D: 113dB SNR, D/A: 117dB SNR) deliver unmatched USB audio fidelity
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E-MU XTC Class-A ultra-low noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamplifiers (-127dB EIN) with 48V phantom power and ground lift switches enable you to plug microphones, keyboards and guitars straight into your computer with professional results, while the built-in analog soft limiting circuit lets you record a hotter signal without fear of clipping
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Comprehensive digital I/O with optical and coaxial S/PDIF (switchable to AES/EBU) and MIDI In/Out to easily connect all of your digital studio gear and instruments
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Ultra-low latency USB 2.0 drivers offer accurate timing and playback of your recorded audio and software instruments
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Hardware zero-latency direct monitoring (mono/stereo) allows you to record and overdub with no annoying delay
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Plug-and-play operation with hands-on control of all major functions like master level, direct monitoring, preamplifier controls and more
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Cross-platform support (Windows XP/x64 and Mac OS X) and compatibility with most popular audio/sequencer applications (Windows: ASIO2, WDM, MME, AC-3 and DTS Passthru; Macintosh: Apple CoreAudio, CoreMIDI, AC-3 and DTS Passthru)
I/O Configuration:
- Two E-MU XTC Ultra-low Noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z Preamps with Soft Limiter and 48V Phantom Power (-127dBu EIN)
- Two 1/4" Balanced Outputs (117dB SNR)
- Stereo 1/8" Speaker Output (117dB SNR)
- 24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF Optical In/Out (Switchable to AES/EBU)*
- 24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF Coaxial In/Out (Switchable to AES/EBU)*
- MIDI Input/Output
- Stereo Headphone Output (114dB SNR)
* Macintosh analog operation up to 96kHz and digital operation up to 48kHz only at this time.
Customer Reviews:
A dissapointing unit from E-mu.......2007-12-17
I'm a bit of an audiophile. My desktop PC has an E-mu 1820M which I love, so I'm not biased at all against the company (quite the opposite), but the 0404 USB is a big disappointment.
My unit has real problems turning on. If I flip the power switch often only the "Power On" indicator will light, and the PC will report a problem connecting the device. I may have to turn it off and on again half a dozen times before the rest of the lights flash and it actually connects to the PC. The same power-up symptoms happen whether or not it's actually connected to the PC, so I know it's a problem with the 0404.
Once it's up and running it's pretty decent, except that periodically I'll do something on my laptop that causes the audio to blip. It may be as simple as loading a web page. I have a high-powered dual core laptop, this shouldn't happen. I ran some low-level performance monitoring tools from Microsoft and found that on occasions rediculous amounts of time are spent in the USB driver while the 0404 is running, and just playing CD quality audio (stereo, 44.1Khz, 16-bit) causes deferred procedure calls (DPC's) to consume 12-20% CPU time. The unit is connected to a USB 2 port, so there is no bandwidth problem.
I've tried various versions of E-mu's drivers and firmware and currently none are any better than the others with regards to these issues.
I bought the 0404 because the on-board audio I/O panel on my laptop stopped working properly (faulty headphone jack) and it's working okay for general audio purposes, but if I had the opportunity to choose again, I'd buy something else.
Incredible quality at a bargain price.......2007-12-11
I use this in an Home Theater setup.
This external USB DAC is a steal at this price. It contains the same DSP as the $2000 "Transporter". On my high-end system, my PC-based media setup (PC running Foobar2000 -> ASIO Drivers -> EMU USB -> Home Theater) ... rivals the sound I get from my high-end ($1900) Toshiba DVD-Audio Player.
Its an awesome headphone amp ... my AKG K240 arrived today ... what a delight !
Also excellent for microphone recordings (which I seldom do)
Do use the ASIO drivers that comes with the EMU. And, boys and girls, always use lossless formats like WAV or FLAC for your recordings.
Highly recommended.
Great starting point for a budding audiophile.......2007-11-08
This is my first soundcard purchase that is not an internal Audigy. I'm impressed! There is absolutely no noise interference (with my internal, I would sometimes hear the crunching of my harddrive through the speakers). The driver works fine on Windows XP x64, which is a miracle. The built-in headphone amp powers my new headphones beautifully. For the price, this is the best deal you can get for your first step into aural bliss.
Very nice.......2007-08-30
Awesome latency as low as 2 or 3 ms. Can plug in my electric guitar and use a sowftware amp, can plug in my MIDI keyboard of course and microphones. Only downside to this, it has to have an external power source, so using it for portablity with your laptop isn't so great. Oh and windows Vista driver is due out in late 2007... Don't think I really needed this quality for what I use it for, but I say it was worth it just to be able to play my guitar onto my computer.
Decent, but better options available.......2007-08-13
I was quite excited about getting this sound card. At first I was a little concerned about using a USB 2.0 interface (versus a firewire interface) and I must say that I'm still not convinced that USB 2.0 is stable enough to support a real time / ASIO audio device. The pre-amps on the 0404 are very nice, very clear and transparent. The gain isn't very smooth though, and tends to "jump" quite quickly. If I worked for excessive periods in ASIO mode it began to click and pop a lot and sometimes the LED meter would freeze for no reason. Occasionally it would stop working all together and I'd have to restart it and the program(s) I was using. Support is a little less than spectacular, with (at the time I had it) no real driver or firmware updates. It comes packaged with some handy audio tools, programs and plugins.
Overall, really liked it at first but quickly grew annoyed at it's inconsistent and erratic behaviour. Decent for a beginner or not so demanding user but if you intend to get serious there are much better options available for a similar price.
Product Description
AKG's K 81 DJ Professional Headphones are the ultimate tool for pro DJ. It high performance closed-back headphones give the best possible sound. The 3D-Axis professional folding mechanism allows the DJ to change their monitoring position quickly at the club. Switchable bass boost lets you hear the low end in clubs of any size. High quality lightweight construction & an extremely rugged design make it ideal for transportation. Rubberized finish ensures easy and safe handling at the club Frequency Range - 5 Hz to 30,000 kHz Max. Input Power - 3,500 mW Rated Impedance - 42 ohms 99.99% oxygen-free cable Cable Length - 1.8m (5.9 ft.) Net weight(without cable) - 280 g (9.9 oz.)
Customer Reviews:
Audiophile.......2007-11-25
This headphone is unnatural sounding; very colored sound; not neutral sounding, bass is to heavy.
Headphone not comfortable.
AKG Closed-Back Foldable DJ Headphones - K81DJ
AKG makes some serious stuff.......2007-09-17
I bought these headphones through recommendation of one of my friend. They are truly amazing..especially for the price they come compared to other expensive competetors....Extremely light weight...3d axis folding system..makes them easy to carry around....The cord length is descent enough.....The only down side i can say for this headphones is the cushion size of the earcups they are a little small to fit properly to my ears and hurt my ears for a while since they were new but after a while i was okay with them...gr8 headphones for portable music players and personal computers.
Another winner from AKG.......2007-05-12
I own the AKG K701 headphones and couldn't be happier with their spacious sound and accuracy - but they on the large side, and hardly the product for on-the-go listening. The K81DJ headphones aims to fill the gap for a good-sounding portable.
While you can't beat in-ear monitors for portability, the bass can be bloated (Westone UM2), sound quality lacking, or the cables flaky. For the most part, ear buds lack the kind of sound quality you need for serious music listening. A small headphone would be perfect, but an open-backed model like, say, Sennheiser PX100 is like a sponge for outside noise. A closed headphone is the only solution for many listeners.
The Senn HD25 is said to be the gold standard in portable phones. At less than half the price, the AKG K81DJ blasts open the market. Several positive reviewe on this thread have pointed out their foldable design, attractiveness, and fine sound of the K81DJ - and it's all true. The problem (as you've also probably read) comes with a bass that can be boomy at times if you don't do something about it. And you can.
There's a reason for this sound. Since these are DJ headphones, they're designed to absorb all the excess bass in club situations; but everyday listeners can make them sound great. First, pull out the two-inch polyethylene pads hidden behind the pleather ear pads; they come out like a contact lens.and the sound improvement is immediate. Second (if this is if you're adventurous), pull off the pleather pads, and unscrew the three Philips screws just behind. Now, take some Blue-Tak, and fill in the hard plastic atreas behind the phone. (You can find illustrated instructions online by searching the Head-Fi forums.) The result is a rich, detailed sound certain to surprise any portable headphone listener. No excess bass.
The only remaining issue is their heavy clamping force which, again, is designed to be an asset for deejays in noisy envionments. Leaving them stretched around a six to eight inch globe for a while can alleviate most of the discomfort, but they'll always be an extra-snug fit. Listeners with large heads might best try these out before committing.
Before purchasing the K81DJ, I'd wondered whether these mods would make the phones shine. It worked wonderfully with my 5.5g iPod, and I'm delighted. After years of pickiness, I've finally found my portable "rig" - no more searching for me.
Great bang for the buck, and good warranty service.......2007-05-08
I have had a pair of 81DJs for about a year-and-a-half now. They continue to be my favorite headphones for use with my Creative Zen, and they sound even better plugged into my HeadRoom desktop amp. They have great bass that isn't overwhelming, decent isolation, and pretty good design. The upper treble is slightly rolled off, but that beats a strident or harsh high end.
The cord is the weak link here. It's long (9ft) but flimsy. After about one year, the plug on mine started losing continuity in the left channel. It was clear the wire had broken internally where it connected to the plug. I contacted AKG, who asked me to ship them to their center in California. In a little more than a week, I had a new pair. (They can't replace the cord, it seems.) Great warranty, great customer service.
In sub-$100 sealed headphones, I've got a pair of Sennheiser 280 Pros, too, but I favor these over the 280 Pros for most music. The Senns have better isolation and a better cord, but they're hardly portable, and they're harder to drive (64 ohms) than the 81DJs (32 ohms) with a portable player. The 81DJs have got better sound overall -- things always seem a bit muted in the 280 Pros at the high and low ends, even through the headphone amplifier. (Neither pair is as good as AKG's 701s or 240DFs, though that's a different league.)
I don't think they can be beat by any other sealed design headphones in this price range. A good buy.
Good Headphones for the Price.......2007-05-06
I really love these headphones. I get SO many compliments on them (good conversation starter) and they have great sound quality for the price. The only thing is that they are a bit uncomfortable in long-term situations and they make my ears a bit hot/sweaty, but that's really the only drawback. I left them open around my boots overnight to stretch them out, too, since my head is kind of big for these.
In general, though, these are definitely a good buy. I haven't had any problems yet.
Product Description
Closed-Type Pro Digital Studio Monitor Headphones / Powerful 40 mm Neodymium magnet drivers / Dual side volume controls / Freq range: 18 Hz - 22,000Hz
Customer Reviews:
Five for $10.......2007-12-06
I give these JWIN headphones five stars because for $12 including shipping, these headphones do a decent job. These are great entry closed headphones because they give you a reasonably comfortable feel around the ear, are light for economically cheap headphones, and just overall a good built for the price. I personally don't enjoy the feel of earbuds in my ears and I decided to upgrade from the standard open headphones that come with Sony walkmans. Just to dip my toes in the water, a friend recommended these so I could get a feel without blowing money on something unpredictable in taste, feel, reliability, etc...
Before I even read the other reviews, I too thought these lacked a clear treble, but the midrange is punchy and the bass full fills the low end of the midrange well. It seems to reproduce a snare drum well, not muddle too much on toms and you can pick out the bass drum. Anything midrange sounds fine, but no definite gloss to a guitar, but it doesn't lack in an annoying fashion. The bass guitar by itself is okay for practicing, but again isn't so clear in a mix always, but supports well enough for a $12 set of phones. For general rock and overall "filled" recordings with a lot going on, they are fine. Even on my classical piano music they sound well. For any electronic or jazz music I'd look to going up the latter a little bit more (though I have no recommendations). The lowest frequency response is 20 hertz, and I wouldn't bank on that. A recording like Lusine's "Make It Easy" remixed by John Tejada easily shows the limitations of the bass, that's why I recommend buying a better headphone if you plan on listening to a bass groove genre, but don't want to spend over $50.
When you first get these and want to find what I believe is the truest response with what I think is a balanced EQ recording, try Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit". It may surprise you for what you get out of $12.
If you're new to the game of headphones, this is a good place to start. Now I'm building myself up from these without any regrets.
I have owned these for 6 years. They're good........2007-10-12
have owned these headphones since Jan 12, 2001. Why so specific about the date? Two reasons: 1) it was my first time haggling with a business owner over price, and 2) so I get a little credibility for the review :)
Anyway, I am listening to music on these headphones as I type this. The bass is SUPERB!! I listen to ALOT of jazz and I also love hip-hop. When listening to jazz I like to hear the bass and sax/trumpet leader (or piano leader). Not that drums aren't important, but they get heard no matter what headphones are used. With these bad boys I am able to hear the low/mid/high end with quite a bit of clarity. The bass sounds rich and clear instead of muddy and boomy. The mid/high end speak beautifully and never sounds tinny. I'll admit that after over 6.5 yrs of relatively continuous use (approx. 50 hrs/week) I notice a decrease in quality of sound, but that's to be expected after so much abuse. With that in mind, I still haven't found any headphones for the money that sound as good as these.
I personally never use the volume knobs on the headphones, I just keep them on max and keep my iPod, computer, or CD player(remember those round things) at a lower level. Also I didn't like the fact that the headphones look so cheap. That is a completely aesthetic gripe though because they are very durable. The only crack I got was from someone sittin on them while they were in my backpack. Another gripe would be the fact that after about 5.5 yrs the headphones seemed to stop producing sound. In fact what happened is I knocked the driver loose so I have to push up on the volume knobs occasionally to get the sound back to normal. Remember though this is after 5.5 YEARS of at least 50hrs/week.
Here is a summary:
Pros: clear in all ranges, sturdy as hell, long cord protected by thick rubber coating, consistent across different devices, inexpensive but not cheap, asymmetrical wiring
Cons: didn't use the volume knobs, LOOKS cheap, no-name company, if you touch the headpiece it is heard very clearly (hard to explain...it's not a major problem though)
I bought them for $12 from the guy who tried to sell them for $24. They're definitely worth WAY more than what I paid, but it was a no name company so there was no way I'd pay more than what I did. I've become more of an audiophile and am lookin to upgrade to some much more expensive headphones. If I don't find anything to my liking, I'm going to get these again. I would recommend them to anyone I know.
Excellent headphones!.......2007-09-19
These are a great pair of headphones for a great price. Its a steal. Definately would do business with seller again.
Not That Great.......2007-07-26
I bought two sets of these headphones based on the reviews. This is the first time that the other reviewers have let me down. These headphones are not that great. Yes, they have individual volume controls which you can use as a "balance". And they have a l-o-n-g cord which should be mandatory on ALL headphones. And they do sound better than the dinky "ear buds" that came with my MP3 player. Maybe there is something wrong with my hearing, but the sound that I heard coming out of these things did NOT have a rich bass and the highs sounded like they were "chopped". So, all you end up with is a LOT of mid-range. And I am not a really big guy, but they just barely fit on my head. I felt like I was trying to put something that had been made for a kid on my head. I was very disappointed with these.
I don't care about the low price-they are lousy headphones........2007-06-17
they sound like you are in a tunnel. If you are a real music lover and don't use music just for backround noise or distraction on the treadmill, you will not like these. Luckily, I didn't buy them for myself.
Product Description
AKG's K601 Mastering/Monitoring Headphones offer a full, crisp sound and long-term wearing comfort. These open-back dynamic headphones are the result of a new AKG Varimotion two-layer diaphragm that ensures optimum diaphragm motion for extremely accurate high-frequency response and a powerful low end. The K601 Headphones are premium reference headphones for anyone who appreciates true high-end equipment. Hard gold plated 1/4 connector Net Weight - 8.3 oz. (235 g) without cable
Customer Reviews:
Extremely comfortable with well balanced, neutral sound.......2007-06-07
Working in a cubicle, I listen to music nearly all day, every day. I have been using the AKG k601s for the last fourteen months or so, plugged into the headphone jack of a component size CD player. I listen to a wide variety of music including electronic, classical, and post-rock.
COMFORT.
With this experience, I can confidently report these are the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn. The are very light on your head, and apply most of their pressure to the area around your ears. The soft, well padded cups fit entirely over my average sized ears, with room to spare--even with eyeglasses. The leather headband pressed on the top of my head a little when new, but that slight discomfort disappeared quickly. Again, I cannot think of a better testament to the comfort of these cans than the fact that I repeatedly wear them for four- or five-hour stretches. I also own a pair of Sennheiser HD595 headphones that I can compare the k601s with. The Sennheisers also are very comfortable, but the ear cups are not as large, and may present problems for folks with larger than average ears.
SOUND.
I have been very pleased with the sound of the k601s. When I first got them, I immediately rediscovered my CD collection, hearing details and nuances I had never noticed before. I'm not talking about a minor difference, but an incredible, eye-popping experience. If you have never heard high-end headphones before, you will hear songs like you've never them before. This is my favorite aspect of the k601s. Whenever I buy a recording now, I always prefer to hear it first over these headphones, rather than my home system. As far as neutrality, I believe they are fairly uncolored. I have not seen anything from AKG, but an impressive response curve can be viewed on www.headphone.com, which, by the way, is a great merchant. Since the drivers are so close to the listener's ears, headphones typically have reduced output in the higher frequencies (i.e. treble) and higher output in the lower frequencies (i.e. bass). The curve for the k601 follows this philosophy, and to my ears, the cans sound fairly balanced across the frequency range. The bass may be a little thin, though the notes are reproduced and audible--just not with large amounts of sound pressure. Again compared with the Sennheiser HD595s that I recently acquired for home listening, the k601s have a noticeably diminished lower frequency output. I'm not sure how I feel about that, perhaps because I have become accustomed to the leaner k601s, and the Sennheisers bass seems more prominent than its higher frequencies. Many folks recommend a long break-in period for the k601s, and I suspect it has to do with getting used to the bass output. They are not heavy hitters as far as bass goes, so hip hop fans probably will be disappointed. I don't know, but suspect--based on reviews and the response curves--that the bass output is one area in which an upgrade to the top-of-the-line k701s would be justified.
DURABILITY.
Using the k601s every day in an office setting has exposed them to a fair degree of wear and tear. I have found them to be very durable, even after repeatedly dropping them onto the floor and running over the cord with my chair. The ear pads have come off, but they just click back on. I returned the cans for warranty service after I started hearing distortion: where the cord connects to the left side had become audible loose, though not visually. This was probably because of misuse on my part (allowing the cord to get caught and having it pull taught on the earpiece at times), but AKG re-corded the headphones for free. The cord itself is fairly thick and well insulated. It has withstood numerous roll-overs.
FUNCTIONALITY.
The headphones have an average impedance overall, less efficient than smaller supra-aura `phones, and less efficient than other circum-aura, open-backed cans like the Seenheiser HD-650s. You will not necessarily need a dedicated headphone amplifier with the k601s. The headphone jack on my Marantz CD5001 cd player drives them very well. I also have had success listening to internet radio, plugging the k601s directly into my desktop computer. I suspect, though, that an Ipod would not have enough voltage to drive these very well, and I doubt you'd want to wear the bulky k601s on the subway or bus. The unique design of these headphones may or may not strike your fancy, but it achieves comfort, as I've already described. I purchased a pair of HD595s, however, for home use because the k601s aren't as suitable for wearing while laying on the couch with your head on a pillow. I must also mention that I use these open-backed headphones in an office setting. Even though they are not a sealed design, I've found that very little sound leaks out at the volumes I listen to. I've confirmed this with my co-workers in the adjoining cubicles. Plus, I like being able to hear my telephone ring or know when someone has entered my cube. If active noise reduction is more important, however, you'll have to look elsewhere.
CONCLUSION.
At from two to three hundred dollars, the AKG k601s are top notch headphones from a well respected, science-based manufacturer with enormous R&D resources. I cannot imagine you will be disappointed with them after an extended listen, except perhaps if you value bass reproduction over everything else.
UPDATES:
Portable players:
I recently have begun using these headphones with a Creative Zen MP3 player at my desk. Not expecting enough voltage, I was really surprised to hear how good the MP3s (compressed .WMA files at the highest resolution) sound through these cans without additional amplification. I'm not hearing much distortion at a reasonable volume. I suspect extra power would only result in a fuller sound, but I don't see the need for it right now. The advantage of the MP3 player, to me, is the jukebox shuffling--not audiophile sound quality. If you want random, uninterrupted playback of your favorite songs at your desk, then I am not aware of a lighter, more comfortable pair of headphones to keep your listening private.
Head-to-head:
After further comparison with the Sennheiser HD595s, I really have to say these two sets of headphones both offer seriously detailed and refined sound reproduction. Purchasing either gives you a lot of "speaker" for the money. How much would comparable loudspeakers costs? From what I've auditioned, you'd have to spend at least a grand, and that would be for mini-monitors! The greater bass response of the Sennheisers is the most obvious difference. If you mostly listen to music with drums and guitars (i.e., rock), then the HD595s may sound most familiar to you. However, I suspect you'll find the k601s will reveal more detail in vocals and the upper frequency ranges, something to which you may become addicted. I'm not saying the AKGs are more accurate--just that it's definitely easier to hear the mid and upper frequencies with them. Indeed, the Sennheisers to my ears sometimes seem too heavy on the bass. Each could be said to color the sound: the HD595s by overemphasizing the lower frequencies, and the k601s by failing to reproduce them at the recorded decibel level. So, pick your coloration preference of bass omission or bass emphasis. Or, if you can afford it, spend more on the top of the line model in either company's catalog and see if better neutrality is achieved.
Product Description
With the Sony MDR-7509 Professional Studio Headphones, you'll have high-quality stereo headphones for critical and demanding professional applications. When you're involved in a long listening session, wearing comfort is extremely important - the MDR-7509HD's auranomic, circumaural headphones fit the bill. They feature 50mm HD drivers that realize up to 80kHz ultra-wide frequency range reproduction. The MDR-7509HD employs newly-developed The new 360kJ/m3 high power neodymium magnets are used for the driver unit to reproduce clear midrange audio, and the closed circumaural design deliver maximum comfort while eliminating uncomfortable pressure on the ear. If you're working in studio and broadcast monitoring, or as a studio engineer, DJ, or musician