Pro Audio K271 MKII Over-Ear, Closed-Back, Professional Studio Headphones, Black (2470X00190)

Straight out of the box these phones are "meh" at best - slight bass and tinny mids/treble but very comfortable. I can take or leave the auto-muting. However it can be easily defeated by rotating the headband trigger out of the way. After about 4 hours of moderate volume play they began to "fill out" nicely. A couple of 4 hour moderate volume days later they sounded pretty good. Better yet with the supplied velour pads. Unfortunately both sets of supplied ear pads are too shallow for me. Dug out an extra pair of Shure alcantara pads to find out if they'd help the situation. Sure enough (no pun intended) the slightly extra pad depth increased both my personal comfort and improved the sound stage. Bass and overall balance is greatly improved. Be sure to remove the foam discs on both drivers when using alternate pads with sewn in driver protection. The ambient noise reduction of this closed back design is pretty good. Different (better) pads and a few hours of moderate volume run in turned "Meh" into "Okay!" Try a pair of round Brainwavz hybrid pads for even more comfort and sound stage improvement than with the Shure alcantara pads. YMMV. Enjoy!

I picked up a pair of AKGs back in November on sale for $[...] to substitute my Paradigm Monitor speakers while I am not at home. After much scrutiny, I picked the AKG K271 MKII; while it is not the most recent model released by the company, it offers the same sound quality and more. To put it bluntly, I was extremely satisfied. To start, the most important aspect of headphones (aka cans) of this nature: sound quality. The general consensus is that AKG is very muddy in the bass while being very bright on the high end. While the stereotype may be true in some models, the headphones are fantastic at covering the entire spectrum from muddy to crisp. I will have to agree the highs are bright, but nothing that can't be fixed to your liking in an equalizer. When I first started listening to them, I experienced the "wow, I'v never noticed that cymbal hit before" symptom. I could (and have) lay on my bed listening to music for hours, completely enveloped in music; the downside is the drop in external perception leads to being very startled by visitors. While an impedance of 55 Ohms doesn't necessarily call for a headphone amp, I picked one up just to see the difference. The PA2V2 was recommended to me, so I emailed the gentleman over at Electric-Avenue.com and bought one. The K271 and PA2v2 pair nicely with each other: boosting the bass and bringing out the sound as a whole, without the amp I had most audio outputs turned very high up. The amp has also been nice to have for all my headphones, but more to come on that in the PA2v2 full review. The build of the headphones is solid and I don't feel like I'm going to break them. I quite enjoy the features that have been integrated into these headphones, from them turning off when you take them off, to a small slit allowing for easy earpad replacement. To begin, the auto adjusting headband: size fitting to everyone, the band being pushed up also enables the sound to come through the drivers. The K271 also comes with a detachable cable, so you can have the long studio cable, or the spiral stretch cable (and you don't have to worry about wrapping the cable around the cans). Lastly, the cans come with leatherette or velour eapads: I personally use the velour as they warm the bass and are very comfortable. After reading through hundreds of reviews for AKG, Grado, Sennheiser, and Beyerdynamic, I cut my final choice down to the AKG K271 and K272. The difference? A whole bunch of accessories, color, and price. The K272 retails at $329 on amazon, comes in black with a 1/4 inch adapter and Velour ear pads. The K271 MKII retails at $151 on amazon, comes in dark blue with a 1/4 inch adapter, Leatherette and Velour ear pads, detachable 3m cable and 5m coiled cable. After about 70 hours of listening these cans have burned in to sound even better than when I first got them, and I strongly recommend them if you're looking for this style. (Note: these headphones can't really be used for DJing) [...].

These headphones simply do not provide accurate bass. I could go on about the accuracy of the highs, the overall detail these reveal that wasn't there with prior headphones I've owned and how comfortable they are during long recording/playing/listening sessions -- and it would all be true -- but I would be compensating, in my opinion, for one glaring and significant shortcoming: that these headphones do not provide either adequate or accurate bass response(I truly hate to say this in print because I am concerned that it will further my disappointment, and I am a big fan of AKG based on past ownership; but if I am to review these honestly in the hopes of preventing others from spending a large amount of money on a product expecting mind-blowing results, it's necessary to be accurate in my review). I record a wide range of instruments -- drums, piano, keyboards, voice, etc. -- using headphones both for tracking and mixing, both as a player and mixer; I also use them to listen to both my final product and commercial music CD's. I have the luxury of having both (2)pair of $40-$80 220M's and (2)pair of $100 K240's to compare these to, as well as my fellow musicians' Sony headphones. My 10-yr-old 220M's have more immediacy and realism in the mids, a more open (pleasing) sound, fuller (though muddier) bass, but less accuracy and detail in the highs than do the AKG271MKII's. My 15-20 yr-old K240's are more open (to be expected, considering they are a semi-open-back phone), with adequate bass, but strained at high volumes due to years of combat as a drummer's monitor phone. My new AKG 271MKII's? Again, while they provide a nice, detailed high, they are very shrill in the mids, lacking the fullness both there and in the lower frequencies. After 100 or so hours of use (break-in?) I am still waiting for the ability to hear/place a bass player accurately in the mix, recognize the fullness of the low-end of my grand piano, or be able to accurately discern each individual instrument's visceral impact during live playing sessions. I sold headphones for 20 years. I have made and recorded my own music for 30 years. I have tried many headphones. These simply disappoint in the lows, failing to accurately reproduce not only the normal pleasing bass of a more 'colored' headphone, but the accurate bass a studio monitor-style headphone should deliver in this price range. Bottom line -- I wish I could get a refund or at least switch to another, fuller, more balanced headphone. It's hard to imagine someone who would be honestly satisfied with their bass response for any style of listening, provided they had heard other headphones with a more balanced sound.

Just like 702 but closed-back. Great if you live in a noisy environment or don't want to disturb anyone. I like how it comes with 2 different cables and 2 sets of different pads. The fit is ok and not as nice as 702 which is extremely comfortable. I also notice the top material seems somewhat cheap and doesn't look like real leather. Build-quality is somewhat lacking compared to 702. Sound-wise, I believe it is just as good as the 702. The difference is open vs closed-back. The former will always sound better and have a larger and farther sound stage like listening at a real club if you're listening to jazz music like I am doing right now. UPDATE 12/25/10: Changed from 4-stars to 5. I literally cannot take these guys off. Super value at under $200. Possibly the best closed-back set out there. If not, definitely the least expensive. Headset also seems to sound great with mp3 players, however you might want to check if yours can power it. For instance, my Sony X player sounds fine, but the Cowon J3 doesn't seem to be able to provide enough juice and would need an amp.

Akin it's golf counterpart, the AKG 271MkII is the Big Bertha driver of headphones, more forgiving in its reproduction of a much wider spectrum of recordings (player capabilities), more tolerant with lesser quality recordings (drives) in terms of quality and genre. Like all AKGs, it features patented Varimotion speakers that provides realistic sound with a wide frequency response. Comfortable as the headset is self-adjusting to fit most. These closed-back headphone have great sound isolation and its auto-cut off is a useful recording feature....preventing sound bleeds during recording or if used in close proximity where privacy is required. Comes with two screw on stereo adaptor jacks - gold-cladded (1/8" & 1/4"), two sets of donuts (one velvet, the other leatherette) and two sets of headphone connectors - one 5m coiled, the other 3m cable which is attached to/detachable from the left earpiece of the headphone - connectors/port are robust. This allows for a cable upgrade/ replaceable to survive more rugged long term studio use. **UPDATE**: Having used this sparingly in the past year for the clavinova, it had not had the chance to burn in. The past 3 months however, my nephew borrowed it and presumeably he must have left it running for hours, it came back, sat back in the drawer till I took it out last week for a relisten. AND... I was simply amazed at what I heard - I have a dramatically different pair of headphones. Without comparing to my higher end cans, I can say this could become my default listening pair. At the unboxing, the K271MKII was dull and unremarkable, I had instantly regretted my purchase. However, the headphones have really "opened up", I can literally hear the 3D soundstage, layer and different instruments that I couldn't before coming together beautifully. The bass resonance unlike the K702 is beautiful, natural and has depth. I had originally been a little disappointed though it served the purpose of a closed pair but NOW, I'd be listening to it a whole lot more. Sounds brilliant with most repertoire: classical (be it orchestral, ensemble, chorale to opera), Buble, Black Eyed Peas, Hromek's Celtic Guitar, Sting, Amici. Quite the all rounder close behind Sennheiser HD598 if not at par already. RECOMMEND FOR THE PRICE. STEEPLY DISCOUNTED. ONE DOESN'T NEED TO CHASE THE LATEST MODEL, THESE SUPERCEDED ONES ARE A REAL DEAL. Sound performance ... still trails the K702 but still a great pair of hps - losing out a little in the spatial soundstage and sound separation category. But has fuller thumping bass unamped. It delivers for some...good design & utility. Some have said it's really AKG's legendary 240s in closed form. And some have mentioned preferring the semi openness of the 240s. Where one requires a closed back set, this is it. Or if you listen to a lot of legacy or other recordings of lesser or varied quality and want an all rounder pair from AKG without paying much more on headphone amps, DACs or the like. First look, great AKG packaging from the outside. The item itself is lighter than expected but that just means it's more comfortable to wear. Touch, look and feel ... well I bought these hps steeply discounted, so can't really complain... ... the (attempt at a)"3D" logo & L/R marker buttons have an aberrated iffy look (fr an angle) which has an overall cheapening visual effect and the edge of the leatherette headband feels just a tad rigid and sharp to the touch unlike the softness of leather. I have no doubt however that this is based on AKG specification and endorsed, I might add. The dbl wire-frames allow the hps to be hung-up. A great quality look overall if you don't look too hard. Put it this way, AKG clearly decided chinese manufacturing has come to its own, or decided for the volume churn making the chinese line accesible to the masses at half to a third the cost of its austrian counterparts... I believe that with a co like AKG everything is made to specification - on purpose. hm. If AKG edicted, I believe the made in china lines can also be made to look, feel and sound the same as its made in austria family members. Remember... it's all about perception and marketing. There are those who buy the brand there are those who buy the utility - and a lot of us in between. This provides a choice across the market spectrum. This is accessible utility riding on a reputable "snob" tag. Perhaps that is also why the MKII studio lines are made in china whilst manufacturing of the higher end lines "K700"s (where more perceived uberness is required) are retained in Austria and built to that set of spec. All up a great pair for the studio at amazon special prices. Just wished AKG would do something about the logo/badges which could have a better finish. Personal headphone ranking: 1) AKG K702; 2) Sennheisser HD598; 3) AKG K271MKII

I was more than blown away by the completely flat, and accurate response to whatever I listented to. They've been breaking in rather nicely, but still have a ways to go before they truely open up in their "airiness". When you first hear them, you think that they aren't very bright sounding, or the midrange isn't as present as you'd expect; but further listening reveals that nothing could be further from the truth! The music you're listening to sounds just about exactly as it should, the highs are extended without being harsh or brash in any way, the mids are liquidy smooth, flat, yet warm. The lows are very accurate without being booming, and more importantly, without overtaking the rest of the sonics. The seperation of tracks, instruments, vocal layers, guitar layers, and most importantly, the holographic soundstaging that tells you where things are in 3 dimensions of sound. This is what has me blown away by these headphones! I can also hear the transients on top of the main sonics, the ambience is never taken away from by anything getting louder, such as a loud vocal, or a crack of a snare, or a smash of a cymbal. So many times I've been listening to headphones that compress the hell out of a song where the guitars in the background that are being used as textures and timbres to warm up the tones (think Rush 78-80) are either choppy under the drums or vocals, or almost non-existant to the main guitar when there's too much going on in any particular moment. That's always made me cringe when I heard it, but no more! I can actually listen to vinyl through the high-fi and not miss a thing! There certainly are better phones out there that have even better dynamic range, transients, even a bit of cross-talk to better emulate the effect of sitting in front of a pair of studio monitors, but if you're looking for entry level studio phones that won't break your bank, you won't be dissapointed!

I've owned a pair of the original K271 headphones for at least 6 years now. The leather on the earphone covers is cracked, but otherwise they are in perfect condition - they still work perfectly, are functionally sound, and most importantly sound fantastic. I've owned 2 pairs of the K271 MKIIs in the past 12 months. The first pair died after a few months. I bought them from eBay in the US from Australia, and AKG said my warranty was not valid. After much back and forth they agreed to repair the headphones as a one off. 2 months later they died again. I wondered if I had somehow bought a dodgy pair because they were from eBay so I bought a pair from Amazon instead. These lasted 3 months before the left headphone started freely moving sideways, so that I often find it at a 90 degree angle from where it should be. I then have to shift it back into place and hear an audible clicking sound. Note these headphones only live on my desk and are very well treated. I tried emailing AKG about what my options were for a warranty repair on these (now in the US and from a 'legit' reseller), and they responded with a stock email ignoring my queries. I wrote back trying to clarify and they ignored my email entirely. Terrible customer service. Adding to the indignity, these just don't sound as good as the original K271s. As others have noted they have a very tinny bass response. There is just no oomph there. They are very clear but they just have no bass. I feel very conflicted given how much I love my original K271s; you would think these are from another company! But after giving my money to AKG and being burnt twice now I really feel that I have to warn other purchasers to be very wary about buying these headphones. Update 2/27/13 - these headphones have now died, a wire has come loose internally and the sound was flickering from normal to sounding very distant and distorted - and eventually just settled on the latter. Still waiting to hear back from AKG about getting service, hoping that they can still be fixed under warranty, but so frustrating. Meanwhile my original K271s are STILL working perfectly, after years and years of service, while in the past 2 years I've had three pairs of AKG 271 MKIIs die.

I paid $135 for these headphones, and I can say that they're definitely worth the money. First off, if you like bass, these aren't for you. There isn't a ton of bass present in the sound signature HOWEVER, the bass that is there is very tight and accurate. The overall sound signature of these cans is pretty neutral, with very detailed mids/highs. This also means that they have a tendency to put your music "under a microscope" and expose lots of little details. This is a good thing as long as you have well-recorded music, but poorly recorded/mixed albums won't benefit as much. Also, lower bitrate mp3 music will sound worse compared to cheaper headphones because of the detail. Earpads are comfortable, although the velvet pads seem to be for slightly smaller ears. Really minor though, as they eventually form to fit you better. The 55ohm impedance does mean that these won't be blaring on portable players, however I have never had a problem playing these loudly on my computer. Overall, I thought these were a pretty good bargain at their price. This is especially true when they really do sound better than Beats or Bose, and at a fraction of the cost. PROS -Very detailed sound -Comfortable, especially with velvet earpads -Good build quality -Auto-adjusting headband is convienent Cons -Some might not like the lean bass -Exposes bad quality music quickly