AKG K553 MKII

[Mike Chief]

Just picked these up yesterday and goddamn - already one of my favourite pair of cans that Ive used. You can hear everything on these fuckin things. Super flat in a sense - no unnecessary bass boost and I dont notice them being too tinny or thin in the highs. Also - the design and the materials used. Ive read that the ear pads break down rather quickly (there is apparently super legit replacement pads that are better than the factory ones) but they are indeed quite comfortable.
As opposed to it being plastic all around like a lot of other types of headphones - there are metal components. More specifically, the joint that connects to the headband is metal, while the headband itself is metal as well (not encased in plastic). Also designed in a way to where there is minimal stress on that connection to the actual earphone (dont know the correct terminology on that one).

I wouldnt necessarily recommend these to the casual listener, as I feel most people would feel like its lacking bass and a bit of mid low end, however, thats what I find perfect about these. Its not giving you a false sense of bass. Everything is clear, and for tracks mixed properly it really makes those tracks shine. If its a shit mix you'll hear it like no tomorrow. Would highly recommend these to anyone loooking to upgrade or looking for an alternative to what they've been using for mixing purposes.

 

[Fade]

Nice review. We all know it's so hard trying to find a pair that we can stick with for a long time. I've had the Sony 7506's for a long time. The pads wear down on those too but same thing - there's replacements that are fine.

 

[Iron Keys]

AKGs are definitely tasty. Had a pair had a beautiful open sound, but lacked bass. If they had bass imho they'd be perfect.

 

[Mike Chief]

@Fade yeah man you cant really go wrong with the 7506.

@Iron Keys yeah man I definitely feel you. As much as Im loving these, just a tiny amount of a boost in the low end would indeed be perfect. From what Ive noticed so far, it kinda seems like you need to crank em to get the whole picture correct. While its cool and all and everything is crystal clear - the ear fatigue is gonna be real.

 

[hosie]

Nice review! Going to have a look at these. Although a lack of bass response I'd say is a bit of a red flag when making hip hop beats.

I've also got the 7506's at the moment. Think it was actually off of a @Fade recommendation? Can't quite remember. I've actually been searching for new headphones too and looking specifically for the flattest most accurate sound possible. I never really came across the AKG's in my search.

For anyone who is interested I've been going between Sennheiser HD600 / HD650 & Bayerdynamic 990 / 770. They seem to be the audiophile go-to's and the impression I get is if you like one you champion it against the other, a bit like MPC vs Maschine users. Not sure I need 250ohm's but why have 80 ohm's when you can have 250? Maybe cause you don't need it!? but who needs anything? They seem to promote the low impedance as a selling point on the AKG's (32ohms) though.

 

[TWU]

Nice review! Going to have a look at these. Although a lack of bass response I'd say is a bit of a red flag when making hip hop beats.

I've also got the 7506's at the moment. Think it was actually off of a @Fade recommendation? Can't quite remember. I've actually been searching for new headphones too and looking specifically for the flattest most accurate sound possible. I never really came across the AKG's in my search.

For anyone who is interested I've been going between Sennheiser HD600 / HD650 & Bayerdynamic 990 / 770. They seem to be the audiophile go-to's and the impression I get is if you like one you champion it against the other, a bit like MPC vs Maschine users. Not sure I need 250ohm's but why have 80 ohm's when you can have 250? Maybe cause you don't need it!? but who needs anything? They seem to promote the low impedance as a selling point on the AKG's (32ohms) though.

The Beyerdynamics are great headphones, but IMO not entirely flat… (Highs are really present and crisp)
And for mixing I recommend monitors, headphones for stereo imaging…

 

[hosie]

The Beyerdynamics are great headphones, but IMO not entirely flat… (Highs are really present and crisp)
And for mixing I recommend monitors, headphones for stereo imaging…

I've got monitors but just never get to use them as the kids are generally sleeping when I'm making music so headphones is all I can manage. I tend to check my mixes in my car and then in my van. My vans music system is like 2 tin cans only worse so if it's thin your beat sounds like you've made a beat using velcro strips, a broken tambourine and a dishwasher. Got a Mark Levinson sound system in the which balances out the vans system, it gives you the full shabang and then some. If you've went a bit bass heavy your face melts and you need to check all the bolts are still on the wheels when you get out.

Do you have the Bayer headphones? Also noticed quite a bit of difference across both 770 and 990 models and even more so in each of the superceded models of each. Folk tend to be going back to their basic models and ditching the newer X models.

Want to be VERY happy when I splurge out in excess of £300 on headphones especially as its my only source for mixing at the moment.

 

[TWU]

I've got monitors but just never get to use them as the kids are generally sleeping when I'm making music so headphones is all I can manage. I tend to check my mixes in my car and then in my van. My vans music system is like 2 tin cans only worse so if it's thin your beat sounds like you've made a beat using velcro strips, a broken tambourine and a dishwasher. Got a Mark Levinson sound system in the which balances out the vans system, it gives you the full shabang and then some. If you've went a bit bass heavy your face melts and you need to check all the bolts are still on the wheels when you get out.

Do you have the Bayer headphones? Also noticed quite a bit of difference across both 770 and 990 models and even more so in each of the superceded models of each. Folk tend to be going back to their basic models and ditching the newer X models.

Want to be VERY happy when I splurge out in excess of £300 on headphones especially as its my only source for mixing at the moment.

Ah I get you. Yeah, the 770’s 80 ohm, they’re well worth the money but again I rarely use them for mixing purposes.