Product Review
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The AKG K81DJ is the most I've enjoyed any headphone to date. The fact that you can get them for under $70 here (at the time of this review) makes them a true no-brainer. I have experience with lower-end Sennheisers (the 280's I think), as well as their PX100, the Denon AH-1001K, and the smaller AKG 414. The sound from these is a whole other league. Some have said that they're dark, and have rolled off highs, but to my ears they are very much sufficient on the upper end. And they do it without any harshness. Bass is no doubt their strength though. They are supremely punchy and extended in the low end. By comparison even my Future Sonics Atrio v.2 (which I considered my bass reference in any earphone or headphone) fall a bit short. I'm finding that I enjoy these K81's even more than the Atrios.
Isolation is also quite remarkable for a headphone... an added benefit, which I'd read about, but even then still didn't expect this level of attenuation. I can sit in a noisy cafe, and have most of the background noise blocked out. What you give up for this is a little comfort. As others have said they do have a 'clamping' feeling around your ears. They're loosening a bit with more wear, but they could cause discomfort for some with sensitive ears. I find them just fine though even for 2 hour listening sessions.
In conclusion, I don't see how anyone could go wrong with these. They're a truly stellar value in an affordable headphone, yet have fabulous sound. They're definitely bass-tipped, so you need to really like bass, but it doesn't detract from the rest of the range.
Isolation is also quite remarkable for a headphone... an added benefit, which I'd read about, but even then still didn't expect this level of attenuation. I can sit in a noisy cafe, and have most of the background noise blocked out. What you give up for this is a little comfort. As others have said they do have a 'clamping' feeling around your ears. They're loosening a bit with more wear, but they could cause discomfort for some with sensitive ears. I find them just fine though even for 2 hour listening sessions.
In conclusion, I don't see how anyone could go wrong with these. They're a truly stellar value in an affordable headphone, yet have fabulous sound. They're definitely bass-tipped, so you need to really like bass, but it doesn't detract from the rest of the range.
