AKG K553 Pro Studio Headphones - $120 FS (Tax in CA)

[Childs]

Massdrop is selling the new AKG K553 Pros for $120, which is cheaper than the going rate of $200. These are really new, so there are few reviews, but so far they are positive.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/akg-k553-pro-studio-headphone

http://www.head-fi.org/t/760386/new-release-the-akg-k553-pro-featuring-a-killer-massdrop-deal

The only complaint seems to be that the cable isn't removable, but I don't have an opinion on it one way or the other.

 

[Imported]

Been following that on Massdrop since it launched. I have the K550.. was interested but can't justify the upgrade.

 

[Childs]

This looks like its going to be available for $120. Couple more days left and only 8 more commits needed to get it down to $120. Changing the title to reflect the new price.

EDIT: It hit $120. I dont know why but that $20 was enough to get me to buy another one. I'll give it to someone as a gift or something.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Seems like these are some really good headphones. Im replacing my 7+ year old HD 555's. Im going from open to closed headphones but these AKG's are suppose to have an open sound to them so we'll see.

 

[gus6464]

I heard them at CanJam. They are ok and for the price they are decent but the K7XX is superior in every way.

 

[AmdEmAll]

I heard them at CanJam. They are ok and for the price they are decent but the K7XX is superior in every way.

A headphone that is $130-200+ more is superior?? You don't say?

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Seems like these are some really good headphones. Im replacing my 7+ year old HD 555's. Im going from open to closed headphones but these AKG's are suppose to have an open sound to them so we'll see.

These have a really good soundstage for closed-back cans (like the K550 and K551).

 

[gus6464]

A headphone that is $130-200+ more is superior?? You don't say?

Um the K7XX is $199 so I don't know what you talking about.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Um the K7XX is $199 so I don't know what you talking about.

Ohh only double the price.. my bad

 

[andylawcc]

I heard them at CanJam. They are ok and for the price they are decent but the K7XX is superior in every way.

you went to CanJam? damn it, i missed that post by like 2 days. Coincidentally what led me to the CanJam thread was due to this MassDrop thing.

anyway, i wish i get to jump on the K7xx, but i will settle for the k553.

 

[andylawcc]

Ohh only double the price.. my bad

AmdEmAll: something money just can't buy; no matter how good the price is, if it can't deliver the pricier option is the only option.
I have a Sennheiser 558 ($120) and was quite disappointed. Had I knew i would have rather to spend more and get a 598 and be done with it. Right now it is just sitting and collecting dust.

 

[gus6464]

you went to CanJam? damn it, i missed that post by like 2 days. Coincidentally what led me to the CanJam thread was due to this MassDrop thing.



anyway, i wish i get to jump on the K7xx, but i will settle for the k553.

Yeah they were running them off an audioquest dragonfly. Something about the sound just seemed off to me. I love AKG and have the Q701, K702, and K7XX but these just didn't impress at all. If you are looking for a closed can in the same price range one of my favorites is the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro. ATH-M50 is another one.

At least if you don't like them you can sell them for same price you paid since regular retail is $199.

 

[Childs]

Yeah they were running them off an audioquest dragonfly. Something about the sound just seemed off to me. I love AKG and have the Q701, K702, and K7XX but these just didn't impress at all. If you are looking for a closed can in the same price range one of my favorites is the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro. ATH-M50 is another one.

At least if you don't like them you can sell them for same price you paid since regular retail is $199.

I actually have both the M50 and CPO, and another one in this class the DT 770 Pro. One thing that got me interested in the K553 is they look comfortable. I wear headphones 6-8 hours a day at work, even when I'm not listening to anything. How did the K553s feel?

 

[gus6464]

I actually have both the M50 and CPO, and another one in this class the DT 770 Pro. One thing that got me interested in the K553 is they look comfortable. I wear headphones 6-8 hours a day at work, even when I'm not listening to anything. How did the K553s feel?

They were pretty comfy. I also wear headphones all day while working and the only thing that I see making them uncomfortable is the pleather pads which can get hot. Once again though the K7XX destroys these in regard to comfort. The K7XX are almost audio technica AD700 levels of comfort which to me are the most comfortable headphones ever made.

I changed the pads on my COPs to the DT770 velour pads and it made a world of difference.

Apparently you can use the K701 velour pads on the K553 Pro.

 

[andylawcc]

If you are looking for a closed can in the same price range one of my favorites is the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro. ATH-M50 is another one..

I tried a Audiotechnica M50, it's too... i don't know how to describe.... bland? Understanding "reproduction" and "accuracy" and "studio" are the M50's key features, I would like some bass and an overall more 'boosted' sound. I am currently using a AD700x, and wanted a close-end can when i don't want to disturb others / vice versa.


was cross shopping the K553 with the DT770, but this deal is a bit cheaper, plus the various Ohm/Pro version on the DT770 threw me off.

 

[Childs]

I changed the pads on my COPs to the DT770 velour pads and it made a world of difference.

I was looking at ebay knockoff velour pads for the 770 to put on my COPs. I didnt use them for awhile (maybe a year) and when I did recently the pads on the COPs were stuck together! Even after cleaning them they are still kinda tacky. Although I never really thought the velour pads on the 770s were all that comfortable. They are nicer on your skin, but in general they always seemed kinda stiff.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I tried a Audiotechnica M50, it's too... i don't know how to describe.... bland? Understanding "reproduction" and "accuracy" and "studio" are the M50's key features, I would like some bass and an overall more 'boosted' sound. I am currently using a AD700x, and wanted a close-end can when i don't want to disturb others / vice versa.

If you want bass without going Beats-retard, give the Denon D600 a try.
IIRC, Fostex cans are also pretty good in that regard (eg. Mr Speakers Mad Dog).

 

[monkeydelmagico]

AmdEmAll: something money just can't buy; no matter how good the price is, if it can't deliver the pricier option is the only option.
I have a Sennheiser 558 ($120) and was quite disappointed. Had I knew i would have rather to spend more and get a 598 and be done with it. Right now it is just sitting and collecting dust.

Will gladly take those piece of junk Senn cans off your hands for a reasonable price. ()

OT: Nice deal kinda leery of Harman products though have had problems with them in the past

 

[andylawcc]

yes, I do want bass, but not Beats-retard level.

Monkeydelamgico, you got PM

 

[Samus]

Mine were just delivered today. They are REALLY well built and sound amazing.

Not as much bass as I was expecting, which is a good thing and could be partially attributed to my Xonar's opamp (LME49720 - reproduction is known to be soft). They're thirsty too, my preout on my on-board ALC892 can't drive them very loud whereas the Xonar with a powerful Burr Brown DAC and it's independant TI TPA6120A2 headphone amp drive 600ohms up to 124db clearly.

If ONLY they had a microphone I'd consider retiring my steelseries gaming headset entirely, but that's an unreasonable request for a studio headset.

Massdrop FTW.

 

[alaricljs]

ModMic ?

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Check the seal against your ear. That's the weakpoint of the AKG / K55x - if it doesn't seal up just right, there's almost no bass.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Got my headphones today.. so far all I can say is wow..! I feel like maybe something was wrong with my 10 year old HD 555's now cause this blows them out of the water. So much detail with these.

Using a Xonar Essence STX

 

[Childs]

Got my headphones today.. so far all I can say is wow..! I feel like maybe something was wrong with my 10 year old HD 555's now cause this blows them out of the water. So much detail with these.

Using a Xonar Essence STX

Lame. Mine were at UPS on 4/13, but arent expected till 4/21.

 

[andylawcc]

got mine. not disappointed. will keep it alongside with my open-end Audiotechnica 700