This is a review and detailed measurements of the AKG K271 MKII manufactured in China. It was kindly donated to me for testing by an overseas member. I am not sure what it cost. The one listed on Amazon goes for US $139.
Just like the standard version of K271 I tested, these feel quite cheap. But due to large cups, they are reasonably comfortable.
Note: The measurements you are about to see are made using a standardized Gras 45C. Headphone measurements by definition are approximate and variable so don't be surprised if other measurements even if performed with the same fixtures as mine, differ in end results. Protocols vary such as headband pressure and averaging (which I don't do). As you will see, I confirm the approximate accuracy of the measurements using Equalization and listening tests. Ultimately headphone measurements are less exact than speakers mostly in bass and above a few kilohertz so keep that in mind as you read these tests. If you think you have an exact idea of a headphone performance, you are likely wrong!
The K271 has a self-adjusting mechanism which makes it hard to put high pressure on the test fixture. There was fair amount of variability in how I seated the unit. I did manage to get better fit/channel matching than the previous version.
AKG K271 MK II Chinese Measurements
Let's start with our usual frequency response measurements:
The family resemblance is quite strong to previous K271 I measured. Then again there are differences such as lower amplitude between 2 and 4 kHz. Overall it is flawed with not only deviations from the target but glitches here and there:
The variations will make it difficult to develop an EQ by eye due to shapes not matching typical parametric EQ curves.
As with previous version, distortion is through the roof at lower frequencies:
This sample has a problem around 3 kHz which the other one did not. Absolute distortion level is such:
Group delay is much messier than the other version:
And impedance variation is higher as well:
This measurement is less subject to fitment on the measurement rig so may be pointing to variation in design.
Sensitivity is pretty much the same:
Listening Tests
I reported the previous version sounded OK without EQ. This one did not although I have been listening to my reference headphone all day which I was not when I tested the other. The sound as is, is dull, lacking bass and detail. Not offensive as a result but nothing I would want to listen to. I pulled up the previous EQ for the K271 and made a number of adjustments to it for this sample:
Once there, the sound was very good. Bass though was insufficient and as is, would crackle and distort. There was also a resonance of sorts that would make string instruments sound strange at times. Still, I could enjoy the headphones on reference tracks such as what you see above.
Conclusions
There are enough vagaries in headphone measurements that I can't swear the Chinese manufactured one is different than what is produced elsewhere. Going by what we have in hand, there seems to be degradation both objectively and subjectively. EQ is quite helpful though in taming them and turning this headphone into something quite usable.
Overall, I can't recommend the Chinese made AKG K271 without EQ. With EQ, I can make marginal recommendation.
-----------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
Just like the standard version of K271 I tested, these feel quite cheap. But due to large cups, they are reasonably comfortable.
Note: The measurements you are about to see are made using a standardized Gras 45C. Headphone measurements by definition are approximate and variable so don't be surprised if other measurements even if performed with the same fixtures as mine, differ in end results. Protocols vary such as headband pressure and averaging (which I don't do). As you will see, I confirm the approximate accuracy of the measurements using Equalization and listening tests. Ultimately headphone measurements are less exact than speakers mostly in bass and above a few kilohertz so keep that in mind as you read these tests. If you think you have an exact idea of a headphone performance, you are likely wrong!
The K271 has a self-adjusting mechanism which makes it hard to put high pressure on the test fixture. There was fair amount of variability in how I seated the unit. I did manage to get better fit/channel matching than the previous version.
AKG K271 MK II Chinese Measurements
Let's start with our usual frequency response measurements:
The family resemblance is quite strong to previous K271 I measured. Then again there are differences such as lower amplitude between 2 and 4 kHz. Overall it is flawed with not only deviations from the target but glitches here and there:
The variations will make it difficult to develop an EQ by eye due to shapes not matching typical parametric EQ curves.
As with previous version, distortion is through the roof at lower frequencies:
This sample has a problem around 3 kHz which the other one did not. Absolute distortion level is such:
Group delay is much messier than the other version:
And impedance variation is higher as well:
This measurement is less subject to fitment on the measurement rig so may be pointing to variation in design.
Sensitivity is pretty much the same:
Listening Tests
I reported the previous version sounded OK without EQ. This one did not although I have been listening to my reference headphone all day which I was not when I tested the other. The sound as is, is dull, lacking bass and detail. Not offensive as a result but nothing I would want to listen to. I pulled up the previous EQ for the K271 and made a number of adjustments to it for this sample:
Once there, the sound was very good. Bass though was insufficient and as is, would crackle and distort. There was also a resonance of sorts that would make string instruments sound strange at times. Still, I could enjoy the headphones on reference tracks such as what you see above.
Conclusions
There are enough vagaries in headphone measurements that I can't swear the Chinese manufactured one is different than what is produced elsewhere. Going by what we have in hand, there seems to be degradation both objectively and subjectively. EQ is quite helpful though in taming them and turning this headphone into something quite usable.
Overall, I can't recommend the Chinese made AKG K271 without EQ. With EQ, I can make marginal recommendation.
-----------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
