AKG K 81 DJ

The AKG-81DJ may be considered the next logical step up from the workhorse AKG-414P headphone. The AKG K-81DJ sealed headphone renders a small improvement on the sonics of the little 414P and ups the clarity & intelligibility of the mids/highs while providing a slightly more even-sounding and cleanly-focused bass response. The K-81's tonal signature remains just a tad rolled-off in the uppermost highs, but the bass response is significantly better balanced and more precisely textured than in the lower-priced AKG 414P model, so not quite as "boomy" to our ears. The soundstage imaging is also more deeply expansive compared to its little bro' headphone. The ambient seal of the K-81 remains effective at attenuating ambient sounds but it's surprisingly not quite so thoroughly noise-blocking as the smaller-sized earcups on the tiny 414P. A fairly efficient design OK for use with most mobile audio players and laptop/PC computers, the AKG K-81DJ offers yet another strong sealed headphone option within the growing AKG model line.

However, please keep in mind any dedicated (portable) headphone amp makes a worthwhile significant partner for the K-81 and will fully maximize the musical clarity, dynamic range extension, and low-level detail resolution of this headphone with a clearly audible, positive impact on the overall audio performance.

The K-81DJ's mid-sized, supra-aural earcups rest on top of the ears with nicely plushy pleather-covered earpads that rotate 180 degrees, perfect for fast-paced DJ mono mixing with one ear or for just keeping your head on a swivel when you need to remain aware of your surroundings. The earcups also fold up & collapse into the headband for ease of storage/portability. The headband construction of the K-81DJ is a lightweight but fairly thick rubberized/metal combination that feels very durable and secure on the head but might perhaps be just a tad creaky for the extra-picky type. The secure clamping force of the headband may prove an issue for big-noggin folks but you can always gently bend the pliable headband (slightly!) for a more personalized fit. Also, letting the headband stretch while clamped on a basketball or clamping them over a thick stack of books for several days will help alleviate the tight-fit issue for most listeners. Generally speaking, most sizing/fit adjustments are simple & effective via the straight-forward headband slider mechanism. The headphone's 'Y-cord' is approximately an 8-foot length terminated to a gold-plated 1/8" [3.5mm] mini-plug jack. A cord slider is included to snug up the slack cable as well as a 1/4" full-size screw-on adapter jack. A handy transit carry-pouch completes the AKG K-81DJ headphone package. 2-year product warranty remains standard with all AKG headphones.