271s vs 240 series

[Jjmusic]

I have used Sony MDR-7506s in the past. There nice, but apparently AKG is where it's all at. I need a superb set of studio headphones. I dont do stage work so much, but it'd be nice to flexible. I saw in the AKG brochure that the 240s were better for playback then the 271?

Which ones should I get. And if I do choose the 240s, which ones? The studio or monitor? Thanks.

Jason
http://www.mp3.com/jjmusic

[audioburg]

Hi Jason,

I am trying to explain the main differencies of our monitoring headphones:
?   K271 Studio II: Excellently sounding closed type circumaural headphones with high wearing comfort. As a closed system it has a sound proofing of 39,5 dB(A) and therefore is recommended for mixing in noisy environment like a stage in any case For Mixing in low-noise environment (recordingstudio) we recommend the
?   K240 Studio II: half open design circumaural headphones with superior sound, it avoids to make the listener fatigue soon.  For me it is the best sounding headphones next to the high end model K1000. As long as sound insulation is not a very important issue you should listen to this model.  
?   K141 Studio II: Relaunch of the legendary K141. Of supra-aural and open design. You have to find out if the sound suits you.

All above types are of low impedance and give sufficient volume on all headphone outputs.

?   The K 240 DF  is a special version of the K240M. The K240 DF is acoustically equalised to the diffuse sound field (this is what the suffix DF stands for). They refer to such a sound field present in a reverberation chamber using third-octave filtered pink noise and measured in the close vicinity of the ear drum with a measuring probe. Please note, that the K 240 DF is a 600 Ohm type of headphone and therefore needs headphone-amps with sufficient output voltage.
The work of the IRT*) in Munich proposes a standard for headphone-monitoring calling for the diffuse field equalisation of monitoring headphones coming closest to loudspeaker monitoring, because there exist no current IEC or CCIR standard for such a system.
Especially at times, when program material is exchanged between stations internationally and the monitoring facilities vary greatly still, it looks extremely sensible to exclude the varying acoustical parameters of the different monitoring rooms and refer to standardised headphone monitoring when comparing program material.

Evaluating headphones is a very subjective matter, much more then a comparison of loudspeakers would be. The final decision has to be made by the user anyway. We can only give some sort of a guideline.



--
kind regards

Horst
AKG hotline

[Michael Yoder]

Hi Horst,

I, too, am in need of a good headphone for mixdowns in the studio (the primary purpose) and setting correct levels and e.q. at remote recording sessions of my jazz trio involving live to 2-track (secondary purpose).  I cannot say that a closed headphone is essential for the latter use, because I record the 3 instruments for a minute, go back and listen, adjust the mixer, record for another minute, re-adjust, and then go on with the recording session.  

I tried and rejected the Sony MDR 7506 because the artificial boominess of the low end caused poor mixes when played through speakers or other headphones.  I have a pair of K240M  which is a bit less detailed in the highs and upper mids than I would want, but the bass is PERFECT!  Is the slightly coloured midrange and slightly muffled character of the 240M a result of their high impedance and using them straight out of the tape recorder's ouptut jack?  Would the K240S be different sounding than the K240M in the bass and the midrange?  Are the K271's more bass heavy than the K240S?
Sorry for all the questions, but I live in South Texas where retailers either do not exist or they do not stock enough of the AKG line, so I have to order by mail.

Might the K501 be a good choice for the type of mixdowns and recording applications I am talking about, or are the K240S more neutral and revealing of mixing flaws?  In sum, I don't want a boomy set of headphones, nor an overly bright set that is designed for audiophile listening of classical music.  I need a reasonably accurate set that approaches the bass characteristics of the K240M for mixes, but is a little more accurate in the midrange.

Thank you.
Michael Yoder