AKG K240 Studio Professional Semi-Open, Over-Ear Headphones, High Performance design, 3.5mm and 1/4" adapters, self adjusting headband - Black and Gold

The AKG K240 MKII incorporates AKG's trademark design; A winning formula of practicality, comfort, and above-average sound quality, for an affordable price. I would recommend these headphones for gaming, or watching TV or Amazon Prime, Netflix and similar applications on a PC, for example, or for audio monitoring purposes - but I wouldn't recommend them as mixing/mastering headphones. This is because due to the small size of the transducers (30mm) they don't have great bass extension down to the lowest bass frequencies. But these headphones have great, accurate mid-bass and clear, crisp, detailed high frequencies that are not fatiguing even in the slightest. For the price you'll struggle to find better. Highly recommended.

Bought these for electronic music production and just listening to music at home & they are ideal. When I took them out the box they felt incredibly light and didn't seem sturdy- they have a fairly cheap plastic-like feel. I have now had them for about half a year and have had absolutely no problems whatsoever- I have put these things in a rucksack with no case and taken them on the train and they've been fine (I wouldn't recommend doing this though). The fact that you can change the cord is a very handy feature- I have gone for the telephone style coil and have never had any problems.As for the sound they are fantastic- I would say the bass is very subtle compared to some of the headphones I have used (there is a review on here saying that the low end is overpowering- they MUST have been reviewing the wrong headphones) but it works well as it makes a lot more room for mid and high frequencies. I was looking for something fairly flat with regards to frequency response and I think these are ideal, but admittedly I haven't tried a great deal of pro headphones.The one real criticism I would have is that your ears get too hot after about 2 hours and you have to take them off for a while- but I don't know any headphones which aren't like this. I would definitely recommend these headphones to anyone for their reasonable price, sturdiness (even though they might not seem sturdy to start off with), comfort and well balanced sound.

I recently bought a pair of AKG K702 open back headphones for listening to my hi fi systems late at night, so I don't disturb the neighbours. Now, those cans leak like a sieve, and you can hear everything going around you. Very similar to the Grado experience. For the price, they have superb sound. No skull throbbing bass, but a double bass, electric bass and a kick drum actually sounds different.OK, get on with it, you are here for the K271 MK2 review after all...Well, I have owned a pair of AKG Y50 wired over the ear headphones for years, and been happy with them. They block out the sound around you, don't leak too much and have a microphone, and are aesthetically pleasing. Oh, and they have a bass in profusion. I used them to listen to music when the girlfriend is listening to stuff on her tablet.Now, after a couple of weeks I've got used to the sharp detail of the 702s, but I had to pull the Y50s on to avoid hearing background noise. They were indistinct, muddled, imprecise. I needed a closed ear alternative.Having read and watched a few reviews I decided a cheaper pair of AKGs might be in order. The 740s were in the frame, but semi open backed, a close relative of the 702. I reckon well worth looking at, but the backup had to be closed back..OK, the unboxing experience. They come in a box, you open the lid, the headphones are in a plastic bag. There's a 2nd coiled XLR replacement in there, alternative velour pads and a quality 6.3 to 3.5mm adapter and some paperwork guff. Phew, that was exhilarating.Pick the headphones up, and they feel very light. The earcups are plastic- what did expect, carved granite? Tap them and they sound like solid plastic. Now, do you want something heavy on your head, and do you really tap along to music on the side of your headphones!The earcups with the attached leatherette pads are comfy, I wore them for 2 hours straight without discomfort. The headband barely contacts your head, it's unpadded, but frankly it makes no difference. Unlike the 702, it's a more flexible vinyl. The whole thing just happily sits on your head without any heavy clamping. Not had a chance to try the velour earcups, but probably as good as those on the 702. Maybe something to move over to in warm weather.Sound... Really, really precise. Stereo imaging excellent. Percussion comes over really sharp with a solid attack. Bass is there. Not some deep booming like that leaking from a boy racer's blacked out Audi, real bass instruments. Overall not as open as the 702s, but obviously from the same family.Driving them... They are not ear buds, they have a reasonably high impedance. Serviceable on my Motorola phone, better on a tablet, perfectly fine on my Marantz amplifier at 11 o'clock.OK, the cons, those plastic earcups. If you touch them or catch them on clothes you notice. The earcups are larger than most, but not the whole saucepan lid look of the 702.Advantages. Excellent detailed sound. Accurate. If you want bass, just add a little with the tone controls. Remember you are actually hearing real bass instruments, not something that vaguely wobbles like a darts player's belly. Unlike the 702s they isolate you a bit.Appearance. Well, the larger earcups and the wires over the top make you look ridiculous. Think cyberman. If you want a fashion accessory go and buy some Beats or the colourful Y50.Conclusion. Better sound than the Y50, but not as well built. If you want a better sound, and have a bigger budget 702 or similar.Well, after a few days I returned them for a refund. I found that the earcups were nosy if they rubbed against clothing. Maybe it's the design of the plastic and their shape that amplifies the noise from every bit of abrasion. The metal shell of the Y50s doesn't do that. Amazon were doing an offer on the Sennheisser 560S for £119, so I decide to upgrade, and have a different brand as an alternative sound profile. I suspect that the grille design that makes them open backed will be similar to the AKG 702, and won't act as a sounding board when they run against clothing.