AKG K271 MK II Chinese Review (Headphone)

[solderdude]

@amirm, a typo? Sensitivity 160 or 168?

Sensitivity (at 400Hz) is 160. A more common sensitivity unit would be dB/V and this one is 110dB/V.
The left channel is 108dB/V by the way.
The mean value between all measured headphones is 168 so pretty average in sensitivity.

 

[Thomas_A]

Sensitivity (at 400Hz) is 160. A more common sensitivity unit would be dB/V and this one is 110dB/V.
The left channel is 108dB/V by the way.
The mean value between all measured headphones is 168 so pretty average in sensitivity.

Thanks. Average means all HPs and not L+R

 

[oratory1990]

Agree to some extent; however the original K271 did have a much better bass response than the current K271 Mk2. I evaluated that in comparison to 30 other headphones in 2002-2003, and the K271 was one of the better ones. Listening sessions were made without disclosing any measurements at the time and all subjective poor or exaggerated bass was confirmed by measurements. It was very consistent.

I can't personally confirm that - every K271 I ever listened to had undoubtedly bad bass performance - but seeing as how long this headphone has been production - even it not quite as long as the K240 - I would not be surprised if some of the changes to manufacturing during the years resulted in statistically significant changes to the performance.

In either case, I can assure you that no K271 has ever truly achieved a flat, linear bass performance as the flat-plate measurement implies on an actual human head.

 

[Thomas_A]

I can't personally confirm that - every K271 I ever listened to had undoubtedly bad bass performance - but seeing as how long this headphone has been production - even it not quite as long as the K240 - I would not be surprised if some of the changes to manufacturing during the years resulted in statistically significant changes to the performance.

In either case, I can assure you that no K271 has ever truly achieved a flat, linear bass performance as the flat-plate measurement implies on an actual human head.

Well what I know is that the version tested in 2002 sound nothing like the one in this review. It was one of the top ones along with HD600 but where the Sennheiser was poor on the subbass compoared to K271. Listening tests were done both with music and single bass tones from 20 Hz and up. There were four perons in the test panel. Then the measurements were revealed. Separate measurements of the K271 posted earlier shows similar results.

 

[oratory1990]

Was this published anywhere?

 

[Rotary Transformer]

After Harman Kardon brought AKG, I haven't seen any decent headphones from AKG. Now it's a Samsung company. It might be even worse.

 

[Thomas_A]

Was this published anywhere?

Yes but in a Swedish magazine from the Swedish Audio-Technical Society. I was a member at the time and wrote a few articles and participated in evaluations.

 

[Thomas_A]

After Harman Kardon brought AKG, I haven't seen any decent headphones from AKG. Now it's a Samsung company. It might be even worse.

There are some newer decent ones frpm AKG/Harman. They have been listed on ASR in various threads.

 

[Thomas_A]

Was this published anywhere?

I reread the article and the measurement rig was not flat but round-shaped.

 

[Robbo99999]

After Harman Kardon brought AKG, I haven't seen any decent headphones from AKG. Now it's a Samsung company. It might be even worse.

K371 though, that's a good one, a recent one. I have no idea what AKG have on the cards for the future, but if K371 was the latest headphone they released then maybe they're dancing to a different tune now (improving).

 

[Joe Smith]

K371 though, that's a good one, a recent one. I have no idea what AKG have on the cards for the future, but if K371 was the latest headphone they released then maybe they're dancing to a different tune now (improving).

K361 is also quite good IMO.

 

[Robbo99999]

K361 is also quite good IMO.

Here's Oratory's measurement & EQ for the K361: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yvmy0buuessy0rl/AKG K361.pdf?dl=0
It's a bit jagged above 3kHz so not totally fixable up there, but overall it's reasonable as far as most headphones go.

 

[renaudrenaud]

I feel theses measures are like treason. I bought the last 40 years plenty of AKG, for me and for the family. I was confident in AKG, and the last K361 and 371 ate used by the children and me.
I am really sad for the brand and I believe this is what happens when the question is only money.
Do we have to consider this as another proof attesting big companies are like psychopaths?

 

[Thomas_A]

Here is a direct comparison between the Austrian and Chinese-made K271 Mk2, average dBSPL L+R. Differences could be due to measurement variations, individual differences between units, or changed quality of drivers.

 

[solderdude]

In both cases a poor result though.

 

[Thomas_A]

In both cases a poor result though.

Yes. According to my experience the original K271 did have a better result overall, especially in the bass region.

 

[oratory1990]

Here is a direct comparison between the Austrian and Chinese-made K271 Mk2, average dBSPL L+R. Differences could be due to measurement variations, individual differences between units, or changed quality of drivers.

View attachment 185151

are these Amir's measurements? Or a different measurement rig?

 

[Thomas_A]

are these Amir's measurements? Or a different measurement rig?

Amirs.

 

[oratory1990]

Here's Amir's measurements compared to mine (I measured a unit made in China). Measured using the same pinna and ear canal simulator (albeit on a full dummy head, not on the 45CA), so they are directly comparable.

It shares similarities to both of Amir's measurements.
I would chalk this one up to unit variation.

 

[solderdude]

I guess the thing Thomas_A would be most interested in is finding a mk1 and have that one measured.

There won't be much of them flaoting around though.
The mk-II is a poor headphone but guess they can fulfill their purpose (monitoring not mixing nor music enjoyment).