Headphones
AKG K 272 HD
AKG K272 HD are terrific consumer-level headphones that acoustically perform very close to their AKG Professional Line brethren -- but at a significantly lesser cost. Not skimping one iota on durability or build quality, the K272 HD delivers the same wide-open sense of soundstage image dimension and spacious depth heard in AKG's captivating high-end cans. Expect a precision tone preferred by demanding headphone audiophiles and audio specialists.
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Product Features:
- Precision resolution and deep definition at reasonable investment
- Superb AKG build quality and materials engineering
- Unique gimbal headband suspension system delivers excellent wearing comfort
- High efficiency allows use without dedicated headphone amplifier
- Excellent 2-year AKG manufacturer's product warranty
What's In The Box:
- 1/4" full-size stereo plug adapter
- AKG owner's manual
Applications:
The AKG K272 HD headphones sound amazingly close to the top-level Professional Line AKG models but at a fraction of their upscale investment. Importantly, the K272 HD's higher efficiency and lower impedance rating allows them to partner more effectively with home stereo receivers or computer sources without necessitating the use of a dedicated headphone amplifier. The K272 HD's full-size circumaural closed-back design delivers ambient noise attenuation and listening privacy while the ingenious AKG headband earcup gimbal suspension system exerts an extremely light clamping pressure on the ears -- excellent for long comfy listening sessions on the couch or at the workdesk. The timbral presentation seems a bit silkier in the upper highs compared to their dead-accurate -- and less forgiving -- pro counterparts with a slightly 'warmer' tone across all frequencies and a bit more emphatic texture in the lows. For jazz, classical, and instrumental music fans especially, the airy timbral transparency and full musical body makes these a choice consideration. The K272 HD also does not seem to demand quite the extensive burn-in period of the K701 or K702, although it employs similar AKG-patented VariMotion flat-wound voice coils in the drivers just like the big boys. Overall, it's a musically satisfying sound full of detail and engagement and an even bigger wonder given its fine price.
The AKG K272 HD shares the self-adjusting headband construction that's become traditional with most full-size AKG headphones; you simply put the headphones on and they automatically adjust to your noggin and settle comfortably against your ears without pinching. Its a design well-suited for folks with larger heads but even ectomorphs will usually find the K272 HD well-fitting and ergonomic. The circumaural earcup dimensions are not overly bulky but will fully surround the earlobes on most wearers with beauteous velvet-padded ear cushions. The non-detachable K272 HD cord measures approximately 9.5ft and is a high-grade 99.99% OFC braid terminating to a 1/8" [3.5mm] 'mini' plug. A full-size stereo 1/4" plug adapter is handily included in the AKG packaging. The USA 2-year free manufacturer's repair or replace product warranty remains in effect only with your HeadRoom "AKG authorized dealer" purchase receipt.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer Warranty: 2 Years
- Sensitivity: 91 dB
- Headphone Type: Full Size
- Weight: 8.5oz (240 g) w/o cable
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 55 Ohms
- Detachable Cable: No
- Cord Length: 9.5ft
- Cord Type: Straight Left-Side
- Coupler Size: Large
- Ear Coupler Type: Full-Size
- Isolation: -12dB ~ -18dB
- Acoustic Seal: Closed
- Driver Type: Dynamic
Average Rating
Posted by Mishalex from New York, NY on 2011-10-05
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Detailed, clean and enjoyable sound quality
Cons: Bass response is a little subdued; plastic suspension on top feels fragile
Both sets of cans have a solid, intimate soundstage with superb instrument separation, that really allows you to appreciate subtle details of an individual performer's technique. I find that these headphones particularly shine when listening to classical, instrumental jazz, acoustic music, and vocal performances. If you are partial to any of these genres, I recommend these headphones with absolutely no reservations.
Now on to the cons. While these headphones yeild quite good detail, the bass sound may be a little underwhelming for those accustomed to headphones with a bass "thump" (though they do deliver the full spectrum of the bass register in good detail, particularly after being broken in for a couple of hours). Therefore, I would caution that if you are a heavy electronic, hip-hop or techno listener, you may be disappointed by the deemphasized bass sound (although I personally am not, and I listen to a wide range for musical genres). You'll also note the significant drop off in the frequency response graph above 10,000hz (not a concern at all, unless you happen to favor particularly high pitched electronic music; soprano singing and high frequency wind instruments will still sound great; these outperform headphones that might look better on paper!).
As far as amping is concerned, even though they don't have a super high impedence rating, you are probably going to want at least an entry level amplifier to drive these for optimal sound quality.
In summary, though I have listened to better headphones at studios, friends' houses etc., I have never owned a better pair than this, and I recommend them wholehartedly to fellow audiophiles on a lower mid-range budget like myself who are looking for a great set of closed-back cans. They are without a doubt my favorite set of closed cans that I have used so far, and are a definite improvement over the much more artificial sounding Audio Technica ATH M50s I used for a bit. Ultimately, they don't sound quite as good as the K or Q701s, but to get this good a sound this close to those out of a closed-back can is an impressive feat for any headphone manufacturer. If you want a closed headphone that is both isolating and won't leak sound, without compromising on sound quality, then get these.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Posted by NewGuy from Ky on 2011-06-18
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: great detail, comfort, build quality
Cons: no detachable cord, bass a little light
AKG recommends these for iPods too, which works well for me, considering the majority of my music is from iTunes, (which I hope to change over time) and is 256kbps. These do expose poor recording quality to an extend, something I noticed with one of Norah Jones songs where I noticed a few compression issues, but overall, they aren't so picky that you can't enjoy a song thats anything less that perfect flac quality. a 256kbps audio is fine. These things are reasonably easy to drive, and are sufficiently loud on my iPhone, but do definitely glow more with a little more juice in my laptop. ( Soon, I'm hoping to order the Total BitHead.) Overall, for a new audiophile, I think these things are great. Definitely recommend. :)
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