[BLOG] Got an AKG K81DJ to pit against the Bose Triports
Well, today I got myself another little toy, the fabled AKG K81DJs. These headphones are a rather well-priced pair of phones (about $60US I think; I got mine for about $79) that are very popular. I believe this is because they sound great, but are pretty affordable, and they sound "fun."
A lot of people say that they are a better option than the Bose Triport OEs. So I just got some Triports I decided to get these and pit them against each other to see which is best.
Well, all I can say is these are some really nice cans! I still need to burn them in, they're quite new but in a week I they should have been burnt in enough for me to give them some critical listening.
But as it is, here's how I'd score them against the Triports thus far:
Comfort: Not even a contest. These are damn uncomfortable. They clamp really tight and make me feel like I have my head in a vise. They are a bit short, and the headband has no padding and is basically a lump of metal resting on top of your head. It is not pleasant at all. Compared to the Triport OE's, which are the most comfortable supraaurals ever made. Big win for Bose here.
Build Quality: Well what can I say, these are really well made. I think they are better made than the Bose. The Triports feel a bit flimsy and have some creak to them, this one feels like you could run it through a steamroller adn it would still come out okay. However, the Triports have one important advantage: the cable is detachable and replaceable with any 3.5mm cable extender. These are hardwired; from my experience with my old Sennheiser HD212 Pros (whose cable they greatly resemble) the cable will eventually give way because it is really thin, especially at the point where the jack is. I will to take care of the cable to extend the life of this set.
Sound Quality: without burn in, I will say the sound quality is highly comparable to the Bose Triports! In fact, they might even be better -- and hence rears the ugly head of the Buy Other Sound Equipment faction. Actually I am not decided yet; I have to give both a real listen, but I'll say this much: the sound of the AKG's are more "solid" with more edge to them. Probably because they aren't burnt in yet. There is more body to the sound, it doesn't sound airy at all, unlike the Bose which feels very wispy and light and comfy. The bass is very tight, it feels more controlled but with less power than the Triport's. It is actually a nice sound, though I think I still prefer the Bose's bass. The highs and mids are a little more forward, which may be a plus, but they aren't particularly clearer. Just that they have more substance to them.
Anyway, that's my quick impressions on this set of cans. I'll post a full review later once I've given both some real testing.
A lot of people say that they are a better option than the Bose Triport OEs. So I just got some Triports I decided to get these and pit them against each other to see which is best.
Well, all I can say is these are some really nice cans! I still need to burn them in, they're quite new but in a week I they should have been burnt in enough for me to give them some critical listening.
But as it is, here's how I'd score them against the Triports thus far:
Comfort: Not even a contest. These are damn uncomfortable. They clamp really tight and make me feel like I have my head in a vise. They are a bit short, and the headband has no padding and is basically a lump of metal resting on top of your head. It is not pleasant at all. Compared to the Triport OE's, which are the most comfortable supraaurals ever made. Big win for Bose here.
Build Quality: Well what can I say, these are really well made. I think they are better made than the Bose. The Triports feel a bit flimsy and have some creak to them, this one feels like you could run it through a steamroller adn it would still come out okay. However, the Triports have one important advantage: the cable is detachable and replaceable with any 3.5mm cable extender. These are hardwired; from my experience with my old Sennheiser HD212 Pros (whose cable they greatly resemble) the cable will eventually give way because it is really thin, especially at the point where the jack is. I will to take care of the cable to extend the life of this set.
Sound Quality: without burn in, I will say the sound quality is highly comparable to the Bose Triports! In fact, they might even be better -- and hence rears the ugly head of the Buy Other Sound Equipment faction. Actually I am not decided yet; I have to give both a real listen, but I'll say this much: the sound of the AKG's are more "solid" with more edge to them. Probably because they aren't burnt in yet. There is more body to the sound, it doesn't sound airy at all, unlike the Bose which feels very wispy and light and comfy. The bass is very tight, it feels more controlled but with less power than the Triport's. It is actually a nice sound, though I think I still prefer the Bose's bass. The highs and mids are a little more forward, which may be a plus, but they aren't particularly clearer. Just that they have more substance to them.
Anyway, that's my quick impressions on this set of cans. I'll post a full review later once I've given both some real testing.
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