Headphone Reviews

AKG K550 Reference Headphones
With the name "reference" I expect a lot! These are definitely more luxurious than my AKG 140s which I've had for years, and retail for $150 now. I once used the 140s as reference headphones in the studio but I haven't listened to mine for years because of their weaknesses, scooped out in the bottom and low mids and quite insensitive, with I think a 600 ohm impedance. We shall see how these 550 "reference" phones fare.

Lightweight, large circumaural pads, much more comfortable earpad than the AT cans, I give the pads a B rating. They come with a more generous straight cable, a very acceptable 2 meters long or so, with a 1/8" plug screwed into a 1/4" adapter. That screw approach has become a standard for Sennheiser and I guess now for AKG. Let's see how they sound.

Listening note: Bella Hardy. The Only Thing To Do from the album With The Dawn. BK master, 2496. This is Britain's premiere folk singer. This cut is with full band and quite dynamic and big. I use it for the reference sound of real acoustic instruments and a charismatic, natural female vocal.

A little less sensitive than my Audeze, about 1.5 dB lower (of course I made up for that). However, with a clear rising response from about 1 kHz on upward, they sound louder than that sensitivity would indicate. These have a family resemblance to the old AKGs I remember with maybe a bit more lower midrange. I'm sorry, I do not like these cans. They have very weak vocal fundamentals, a rising upper midrange, the highs are lacking and they don't have any kind of real bottom.

What was AKG thinking? I can't keep these on, they are quickly fatiguing to my sensitive ears. I'd rather go back to the cheapo "non reference" Audio Technicas any day or the very expensive Astell and Kearns I reviewed the other week. Very sad. Are there any AKGs worth keeping these days?

Bottom line: Grade F. Not recommended. Price at Amazon $225.00. So why does AKG call it "Reference Class"? Caveat Emptor. A definite ripoff.

Editor's Note: This is a divisive headphone. Many people have a hard time achieving a good seal below the ear at the jaw-line, which causes loss of bass response.

Full InnerFidelity AKG K550 review.