AKG K530 Ltd Headphones

[Hunterbgpz]

Are the AKG K530 better than Sennheiser HD 530?

[cortkatanakx1q]

@Hunterbgpz Sorry, I have no idea. Never heard them.

[BolteQ]

Guys, where can I buy this headphones?

[cortkatanakx1q]

@BolteQ They were limited edition so they are sold out, I guess.

[uschkamalatinga]

@cortkatanakx1q Hey! Im seriously thinking about buying these headphones but the only question i have...

I am probably going to use them with my cellphone (Nokia 5800). Will i need an amplifier?

[cortkatanakx1q]

@uschkamalatinga They won't sound good even with an amplifier from mobile, I think. But it's not just in good amplifier but in good source of signal too. And mobile phone it's not a good source. Even earbuds may sound better with it. BTW Funny thing is that I bought "mighty" K701 and send them back. Then bought K242HD and gave them to my mom because I didn't like them either. I wouldn't buy any headphones without trying first anymore. But I'm happy with K530.

[paraglide01]

The 530 I have , have a very crisp clear sound, but the bass is not really a bass as on my fatalty gameheadset.

[cortkatanakx1q]

@paraglide01 Yes, AKG generally don't have much bass, but very good balanced sound. You can always use EQ. I'm going to buy K701 next week. K530 have "good" sound with good amp and are great for gaming and are very comfortable.

[paraglide01]

@cortkatanakx1q

My next headphones are gonna be a sehnheiser, I have tested some of the Hi end models and I have to say the sound has more body the the AKG

[DutchPs3Gamers]

are these good for gaming? I don't want any Turtle beach or something I want somthing some this and I will use is also for my Ipod so turtle beach is wrong choise. but can I hear the footsteps good by Mw2 or something like that can somebody try that and set a comment on this what it look like?

[cortkatanakx1q]

@DutchPs3Gamers I use it for gaming too and it is pretty good. But forget iPod that isn't worth big headphones. You can buy them cheaper if you are lucky. I am saving for AKG K702. Can't wait.

[HiFiexpert]

AKG K530 is a typical example of heavily overpriced stylish Asian rubbish built by underpaid workers. Looks very nice but sounds like garbage. Try to remove the plastic blob in front of the speaker by force to get less distorted sound. Remove the plastic membran ring and put it back with a little glue to get some ventilation, shunt them with 60-80 Ohm, but they still sounds like a toy. My cheap TDK MP100 sounds miles better, and so do probably most cheap headphones back in the days of Beatles.

[cortkatanakx1q]

@HiFiexpert I'm not saying that they are the best. But you must be joking. Every headphones with magic word "DJ" I have ever heard sounded like a garbage. And yeah, what isn't overpriced? Your TDK are overpriced too. AKG K702, Grado, Sennheiser, ... too. They sound bad for example with discman, but sound fine with my mosfet amp with PC. My next headphones will be around 400€.

[HiFiexpert]

@cortkatanakx1q Well, every speaker and headphone sounds different from the other and there is no such thing like true speaker sound and most speakers probably need some tweaking.

Removing damping material, letting more air flow by drilling a few small holes in the back of the cabinet and lowering the impedance are standard procedures to open up the sound perspective and works in most cases. Punching small holes in the speakers' membran may also do the job, but cheap stuff show little response.

[cortkatanakx1q]

@HiFiexpert I've just discovered that my headphones started sounding strange, too bassy and harsh. But guess what! I installed new ffdshow filters for my pc. I discovered, that libavcodec sounds like piece of sh!t. So I disabled it and it works fine now. So the whole signal chain is a complex problem. Anyway, I love my class a headamp. :)

[HiFiexpert]

@cortkatanakx1q

As always, analogue hi-fi technology works best, PC:s are not recommended.

[HarveyMushman85]

@HiFiexpert

You realy do believe in that hocus pocus, hmm? If you were an electrical engineer instead of a twaddler who is trying to sell overpriced hardware, you would know that your oldschool stuff isn't as good as you say and that the new technology is superior! And i am not talking about a 50€ media player, or 20€ headphones, because they are crap now, and were crap back in the days!

The AKG K530 LTD are very good, and for <100€ you can't get better ones!

[HarveyMushman85]

@HiFiexpert

The AGK K530 LTD have no artificially overpitched bass, like all new headphones for the kiddies and they actually sound BETTER than the higher priced AKG K702, Sennheiser HD, Bayerdynamics etc. with Pop, Rock and Hip Hop. I can even enjoy Jazz mit them, and because they aren't as analytic as the high end hp they make mp3s enjoyable, even if they have 320kb/s (you can't hear the difference to a cd anyway ;-) even with 5000€ speaker)

btw @ about 35-40 you can't realy hear above 18kHz

[GenoSkill]

@HarveyMushman85 I'm glad to hear that because I just ordered one of this phones because I want crystal sound.

cheers mate

[cortkatanakx1q]

@GenoSkill They need a few hours to burn-in. They sound quite bassy and muddy at first. I ordered K701 but I didn't like them (!) and sent them back. They sound very thin and like sound is comming from distance. I don't like it. K530 aren't that bad in direct comparison with them. I was quite shocked. I expected another level and that headband with bump is relly painful.

[GenoSkill]

@cortkatanakx1q the K701 are painful? did you burn-in those as well?

[cortkatanakx1q]

@GenoSkill Yes. I felt those bumps after a minute. There are probably only 1% people who doesn't feel anything when you read about it on the internet. But they have probably big haircut. AKG 601 doesn't have any bump. They are idiots!  Unfortunately, I had only one day for thinking if I send them back. But still, they had much more bass after that.

[cortkatanakx1q]

@GenoSkill The only real problem for me was their so called "big soundstage", You have drivers in bigger distance from ears than usualy and I didn't like that sound. It always pushed me to turn volume up and up just to hear something. And they leak a lot because thay are open back. K530 are quite quiet. I bet even neighbours could hear K701 in our terible flat with thin walls because it was probably 3 times louder. I don't want any open headphones anymore.

[TurKdiRty]

@cortkatanakx1q ...akg k701s take like 300 hours to burn in...lol. so you never really heard them

[cortkatanakx1q]

@TurKdiRty Burn-in is a myth. It's rubbish. I used to believe in it, but not anymore. If headphones don't sound good to you for the first time, they never will.

[TurKdiRty]

@cortkatanakx1q you're wrong

[cortkatanakx1q]

@TurKdiRty No, I'm not and even laboratory test proved that. But believe in what you wish.

[blitzkreig000]

@HiFiexpert did you happen to receive a counterfeit headphone that was made in china? from what i hear akg makes headphones that have really really good sound quality.

[pray06]

Can anybody tell me if it makes sense to exchange my Sennheiser HD 408 to this AKG K 530 ? (using Asus Xonar DX/XD soundcard)

[isstatu1]

Is the 2 bars over head are metal, or plastic?

[cortkatanakx1q]

Plastic from outside and metal from inside.

[Chained2Alice]

I got the K242HD after all, and they are amazing!

[Chained2Alice]

Should I buy one of these? I'm wondering these or sennheiser hd 555, what's your opinion? In Bulgaria these are just around 70 Euro. I'll use them with laptop + Creative X-fi Go. I'll be glad to see some response from you guy's. thanks

[cortkatanakx1q]

It's hard to tell. They both aren't the best you can buy (off course). I use EQ for highs because they have weak highs. They also doesn't have strong bass. Nor have K701. I use them with external mosfet amp and I am satisfied. They are the best I've heard so far from cheap headphones. HD555 are the same IMO.

[Chained2Alice]

"They are the best I've heard so far from cheap headphones." I liked that, thanks! I'm with K512 now, so I think it would be noticeable difference, I hoped that the highs will be much better, but I would be satisfied with JUST better.

[cortkatanakx1q]

It's very hard to say what is good. Some people don't like AKG K701 or Sennheiser HD650. I've got good amp and I've found good setup for higs on EQ so I am satisfied. But my next headphones will be AKG K701 or K702, that's sure. If you listen to MP3 music and play games they will be OK.

[Chained2Alice]

I listen mostly FLAC music. I only want to achive medium level of performance, bacause if I want very high quality of sound there sure are much bucks involved that I don't have at the moment. Sound cards, amps, headphones... I got a laptop, a Creative X-fi Go! - nothing special sound card (just better than the internal one), and no amp, so with the K 530 I think the limit of my setup will be fulfilled. Am I right? thanks for your help

[Arrows73]

Hi, I have the HD555, and they are very good, you can wear them for ours without feeling any pain; The sound is also very good (I personally listen to Soundtracks, Rock, Pop, House) but the problem is the quality. For example the hinges make a strange noise - only after a week of using the headphones. I will send my HD555 back now and buy some K601. I tested the K530 and compared to the HD555, they have a better quality + the sound is as good as the sound of the HD555 or even better

[jabron0000]

@Chained2Alice k530 is slightly better than hd555 in almost all aspect

[Chained2Alice]

@jabron0000 I bought k242, very happy with them, thanks

[jabron0000]

@Chained2Alice k530 is slightly better than hd555 in almost all aspect.

[trousien]

dude i use akg headphones for guitar its horrible dont do it!!!!! headphone + guitar amp on headphone no matter the quality of the headphones suck... i just play my amp on low now and it sounds way better because i can hear the strings from my pickups humm while i play and it hurts my ears

[p4cm4n69]

i didnt have good headphones before (only creative hs-600 headset :P) and i think i ll give a try to 3x cheaper koss ur-40, ppl write that they have great sound quality and works excellent with xfi xtreme gamer, maybe it will be better than wasting potential of k530 without amplifier (dont have enaugh money) btw this k701 looks marvelous and their price are like my month fee :DD

[cortkatanakx1q]

I don't know. IMO every big headphones need good amplifier. If I had to buy new headphones, I would only buy AKG, Sennheiser, Bose, Grado or BeyerDynamic. :) I see that you are from Poland. I am from Slovakia and Koss UR40 have the same price or bigger than AKG K530. But I bought my K530 for 120€. Now are they for 78€.

[p4cm4n69]

in Poland i can buy koss ur40 for 40 dollars, and akg k530 for 100 dollars, thats why i want to try them out, they are not expensive and get good ratings, play good without amplifier, if i will have money in future i ll buy akg :), but another option for me is to buy some soundcard and akg and when i ll have money search for amplifier :D, i have mess in my head now :) thank u for replies

[cortkatanakx1q]

I just have Audigy SE, but even my mother can tell you the difference between amp and without amp. It's much clearer. Amp with S/PDIF must be great. But if you play just games you might be satisfied with KOSS. But I don't like KOSS. Check my amp in my profile.

[p4cm4n69]

i dont have money for headphones sound card and amplifier im thinking about this 3 sound cards : xtreme gamer, asus xonard dx and audiotrak prodigy hd2, do u have any idea if this headphones will work with one of those? or i just have to forget about this and buy something cheaper :P? thx for answer in advance and sorry for my bad english

[cortkatanakx1q]

I don't see good headphone amp on these soundcards. They just have cheap JRC chips or similar. I would buy something cheaper and buy external headphone amp. Or do-it-yourself and you will have volume control.

[p4cm4n69]

then its waste of money to buy expensive headphones for this kind of soundcard?

[cortkatanakx1q]

They are definitely better than any common cheaper headphones. Maybe you will be satisfied and maybe I'am just becoming hi-fi fool. :) If you can find good price, then buy it.

[p4cm4n69]

Hey i want to buy one of this, is there any sense to buy this for PC? will they work good with creative xfi xtreme gamer? thnks in advance :P

[cortkatanakx1q]

Well, I'm not satisfied with these headphones without any external amplifier. My soundcard Creative Audigy SE and dicsman sucks. But with good amplifier it's different. It's like heaven and hell. In my opinion it's silly to believe in good quality of good headphones without good amplifier. I like lots od treble and must have EQ turned on. I'm thinking about AKG K701.

[soicuw]

anyone know where I can buy a pair? I looked EVERYWHERE ONLINE!

[kymrider2]

Where did you buys these?

[cortkatanakx1q]

In Slovakia. :) They are from limited edition in black color.

[LoliciousXD]

Hey...i have a Zune 120 and i was wondering if they would work with regular portable players like iPod's or even my Zune 120?

[cortkatanakx1q]

It's hard to say. Sound quality depends on amplifier quality. So it may sounds not very good.

[aczech12]

It will sound great. My AKG K 512 sounds amazing with low eq correction on Nokia 5310.

[Eiki7]

hey, they look very nice in black =) can I also use them outdoors? how is the sound quality outdoors? loud enough?

[cortkatanakx1q]

In my opinon no. They are good with amplifier but not very good with portable players. And they are also big.

[oupsla1er]

these AKG 530 ltd are made in china :( BIG SHIT

[cortkatanakx1q]

Have you ever heard these headphones with quality amp or it's shit because of made in china? With good amp they sound better. Off course, they are not K701, but still are good headphones. Many things are made in china. And what?

[Norge6]

What the hell AKG proudly writes "Made in Austria" in the visible places of K601, K701, K271 etc. though cheap models doesn't have "Made in China" (only small title inside). Because of shitquality?

[weeksy79]

looking at a pair of these for Christmas as a general good all round set of headphones, but i was wondering how the bass matches up against some the sennheiser in-ears (my favourite sounding so far)compared with the low bass in the K271 Studios.

[xXxNoisemaker]

listening to music with these headphones right now! they sound great

[cortkatanakx1q]

Yes, with good headphone amp they sound great. But I want AKG K701 now. :)

[xXxNoisemaker]

eheh, they're just a little too expensive :)

do k530s improve so much with an external amplifier, in your opinion? i'm using them plugged directly in a x-fi xtreme music at the moment; apart from soundstage, everything sounds just perfect to my ears. happy listening!

[cortkatanakx1q]

In my opinion yes. It's hard to describe, but they don't sound so muddy with headphone amp like with my soundcard only. Check my "MOSFET headphone amplifier in Class A" video for my headphone amp info.

[zomgz932]

head-fi member? what amp did you build? was it a cmoy? a starving studednt or a mini^3 type?

[cortkatanakx1q]

HeadWize. :) I built MOSFET in Class A. Look on my video called: "MOSFET headphone amplifier in Class A".

[TroubleinZION]

Akg 240s are really good as well.

[SonicNeary]

I use for music AKG K701 but now I'd like to buy AKG K530 for use in videogames.

How these sounds AKG K530 headphones? Are these headphones have a soundstage as wide as K701?.

[cortkatanakx1q]

Sorry I have no idea. I've never heard AKG K701.

[mad4callas]

Thank you very much!!!

[mad4callas]

COOL! I want to get one too! Is this headphones good for portable mp3 such as iPod? How's the sound? Do you hear LOTS of noise when used outside? It's hard to find reviews on this headphones so if you could help me, that'd be great!

[cortkatanakx1q]

Don't get me wrong. It sounds good but if you have poor headphone out, it sounds not. With my MOSFET amplifier I have more clarity in mids and highs. On my mp3 discman it sounds more bassy. I'am hoping to build digital receiver and override headphone out on my PC soundcard.

So, if you have poor headphone out in your mp3 player, you'll be disapointed. Maybe not, but it's not full potential of these headphones.

[cortkatanakx1q]

Hi! These AKG are very big. Not suitable for outside. Maybe but not very practic. Noise reduction is good, but not perfect (semi open construction). I use it only at home (PC and electric guitar) with homemade hi-fi MOSFET headphone amplifier in Class A.

You need good headphone amplifier for good sound. I've tried it with mp3 player and sound wasn't good (poor headphone amplifier in mp3 player). Even with Soundblaster Audigy SE in PC. But with my headphone amp sound surprisingly good.

[cortkatanakx1q]

They have really strong bass if you listen to dance music. But it depents on mix. I listen to rock and metal.