AKG K550s or Audio Technica ATH-M50 - best headphones?

[ChoonyFish]

OK, here goes. I've whittled it down to two and just can't decide!

I listen to laptop and iPod only and am looking for closed cans as I have to have sound isolation and minimal leakage.

I listen to 80s pop/alternative; post punk; industrial/hardcore and doom metal; Hip-Hop/electro/dance; dark ambient, acoustic, and even the odd bit of easy listening and 60s/70s pop & rock.

The AKG K550s sounded ideal in reviews. The intricate sound seemed great for layered electronic music and ambient noisescapes where rumbling detail is key.

Then I read lots of complaints about the bass and the fit - better on big heads (my female head is only small). Comments suggested that only holding them in place gave sufficient bass, and I can't be doing that! Also that the high ends were too bright at high levels.

On one forum (What Hi-Fi) everyone seemed to be dissatisfied with the AKG 550s in favour of Audio Technica ATH-M50. More bass, more controlled high ends. But less mids. I also saw a post (on Head-Fi) preferrring the M50s to the AKGs.

I love good bass, don't get me wrong, but I want to hear everything, and am not a bass head. I don't listen at high volumes too often. So maybe I should go with the AKGs after all - I was almost sold on those until reading further... (AKGs are now at £149 - surely a bargain?)

I also plan on getting the Fiio E7, which has a bass boost switch anyway - but I would prefer not to use EQ.

AKG550? or ATH-M50? - Your thoughts please!

By the way, my only previous experience of headphones is in-ear buds (sound isolation was great!), favourites being Klipsch Image S4s (until they broke) - nice clear sound and not too much bass... (although they occasionally couldn't handle some very low end and buzzed!).

 

[Divide by zero]

I would have to say that if I was in your place, I would just choose the one your gut instinct decides on and buy that from Amazon and try them out. They have very good returns and while it's not free, it's not expensive either. If you don't like them you can return them and try the others.

The best way to find out which set is right for you is to try them. No amount of reviews or scientific analysis will show you what is right for you better than trying it out.

 

[ChoonyFish]

I would have to say that if I was in your place, I would just choose the one your gut instinct decides on and buy that from Amazon and try them out. They have very good returns and while it's not free, it's not expensive either. If you don't like them you can return them and try the others.

The best way to find out which set is right for you is to try them. No amount of reviews or scientific analysis will show you what is right for you better than trying it out.

Good advice! The gut instinct tells me the AKGs - they are the ones that leapt out at me first and I almost pulled the trigger. And it's like the analogy of trying on an outfit in a shop, going to a million other shops and then going back for the one you saw first.

You're right about trying them out, of course. I'd hoped a couple of shops in Manchester would have both pairs in stock to try them, but alas both only have the AKGs. Unfortunately, I can't afford the Fiio as well just yet (perhaps next month) so I can't try them in conjunction with that - which may or may not make all the difference.

 

[Divide by zero]

You will have to post back once you have made your decision and let us know what you think of the ones you get.

(Also, maybe you could recommend some cool tunes!)

 

[ChoonyFish]

You will have to post back once you have made your decision and let us know what you think of the ones you get.

Will do! I think the AKGs are the way to go. Compared to Klipsch in-ears any significant upgrade to cans is bound to sound good! Too much overthinking, perhaps.

(Also, maybe you could recommend some cool tunes!)

Ha! Depends what you're looking for!

I'm particularly looking forward to hearing these 2012 album releases on my new cans:

Desiderii Marginis - "Procession" (dark ambient - gorgeous textures)
VCMG - "Ssss" (catchy, polished techno - not usually my thing)
Soulsavers - "The Light the Dead See" (lovely vocals, strings and brass)

I guess there's a more fitting thread for this...

 

[noisemaker]

The K550's are getting pretty good reviews everywhere, big soundstage good bass and comfortable.
If your priority is bass the M50's is the way to go.

 

[ChoonyFish]

The K550's are getting pretty good reviews everywhere, big soundstage good bass and comfortable.
If your priority is bass the M50's is the way to go.

Bass isn't a priority and I'm dying to hear this soundstage I'm hearing about, so...

The AKGs are on their way! Expected tomorrow - I'm waiting in all day...

 

[wkdandyly]

I've gone for this same after being in a similar situation, they've gone up to £180 now as well. Glad I got in early.

 

[ChoonyFish]

I've gone for this same after being in a similar situation, they've gone up to £180 now as well. Glad I got in early.

So they have! Blimey. Maybe whoever listed them on their website made a mistake... Lucky me.

 

[ChoonyFish]

You will have to post back once you have made your decision and let us know what you think of the ones you get.

The AKGs arrived today:

Holy Moly!

Well. Firstly heard flat, they really did lack bass. I played something from the 80s, which probably lacked bass anyway.

Then I turned on iTunes bass boost and played something from 2009 - wow!

I really can't get over the clarity of them! I'm picking through songs and being astonished. I can't wait to hear everything, like a kid in a sweet shop. "I wonder what that sounds like... Cripes!"

Roll on tomorrow when my Fiio E7 arrives. (Couldn't wait.) And it might be better to use the Fiio bass boost than the iTunes EQ.

The only thing that will take getting used to is them being on my head instead of in my ears. Feel like a Cyberman.

 

[daytona600]

Great deals on the akg701 these where £300 when lauched by can be had for £155
look great lots of colours very comfortable deep bass a real high end sounding design
you need a good headphone amp to drive them same for any decent headphones
amps in the ipod & pc and most hifis are usually shocking

heads up for your desktop system just got one off these today dared EF-99 for £250 bargain
valve headphone amp & preamp & Dac with ipod & usb inputs bluetooth for smart phones
plus 2line inputs with 1watt amp for small desktop speakers or active speakers superb little desktop system with external PSU
Welcome To Dared.

 

[malcky]

I am also looking for a first set of full size headphones and the 2 you shortlisted are on my list too (along with loads others just now. haha) I am suprised that you have gone for an amp straight away though as my logic would be to get to know the headphones (seeing as these are your first full size cans) on their own for a good amount of time (weeks/months...not a few hours) and then add in the amp if you think its needed????

Glad you liked them though as its crazy all the reviews I read everywhere and them somehow get more choices on my list instead of crossing some off. haha. the joys of it all.

 

[ChoonyFish]

Well I went for the amp more for its DAC - after reading about how it's better to bypass the laptop's (average) onboard soundcard in favour of one specifically built for music.

Maybe I won't be able to tell the difference! The 'phones already sound great with the laptop soundcard - however, with the computer's volume up to max and iTunes up to max, it could perhaps use a tiny bit more volume with some older recordings.

 

[daytona600]

older recording are better as they have big dynamic range as in real music quiet & loud passages
modern itunes mp3 use huge amounts of compression loud & quiet passages much reduced in range
live music has a very big dynamic range from quiet bits to the very loud bits
try somee flac or wav files these sound much better than Mp3

 

[ChoonyFish]

Yes, I've read a lot about "the loudness wars", but modern stuff really showcases these 'phones. I listened to some live stuff - Kraftwerk and Yazoo (recent releases), and both were phenomenal. The crowd noise was crystal clear.

I'll listen to a couple of CDs (old and new) and see how they compare. Was thinking about Apple lossless, as iPod won't take flac (I don't think).

 

[Collybogs]

Just got a pair of akg 550s, had them for a day before sending them back, why ?
A distinct lack of bass and I do mean lack of bass. Changed them for the ath m50 s, omg what a difference! I cannot recommend these headphones enough and just how the 550s got proust of the year in what hifi I will never know! If you partner the mt 50s with a fiio e11 amp ,you truly have sonic heaven!

 

[KiLLiNG-TiME]

Can anyone recommend a good portable headphone amp for the akg 550's??! Played some heavy electro off my phone and really brought out the weaknesses in the phone.

 

[FredBare]

Can anyone recommend a good portable headphone amp for the akg 550's??! Played some heavy electro off my phone and really brought out the weaknesses in the phone.

Neco Soundlab V3 - this guy makes great amps and is based in London, he's big on Customer service... will definitely be my next amp now he has slimmed down the design.

NEW! V3s DUAL AMP portable headphone amplifier | eBay

Otherwise I can recommend the FiiO E12 which I own and am very impressed with, it has a 'touch of warmth' but detailed presentation... both have bass boost options but the Neco can be upgraded to higher specs.

Not a lot to chose between the two price wise... if I had to choose (& didn't own the FiiO), I would probably go for the Neco.

 

[KiLLiNG-TiME]

Neco Soundlab V3 - this guy makes great amps and is based in London, he's big on Customer service... will definitely be my next amp now he has slimmed down the design.

NEW! V3s DUAL AMP portable headphone amplifier | eBay

Otherwise I can recommend the FiiO E12 which I own and am very impressed with, it has a 'touch of warmth' but detailed presentation... both have bass boost options but the Neco can be upgraded to higher specs.

Not a lot to chose between the two price wise... if I had to choose (& didn't own the FiiO), I would probably go for the Neco.

Great thanks! Yeah ive been looking at the FiiO's, there are a number of them about. The Mont blanc you recommended was actually my preferred choice too!

Not heard of the Neco, will have to check it out. This guy makes them himself? DIY amp? Thanks

 

[FredBare]

He's a Electronics Engineer/Designer and makes them himself, build quality is top notch (comes with full warranty, 12 mths I think... he's also on FB).

I heard the last model and it was a great amp but it's form factor was to big for my portable use (not that it was big just boxy, a bit like my R1). It had more of a neutral sound compared to the E12 so it will all be down to your personal taste on how you like to hear your music.