Very good indeed, no reference

To write the first review for a newly published headphones, is a challenge. Especially with headphones, there are many driven by the taste opinions. And also requires an honest evaluation of a new headset also a lot of time, because here you have a lot to do with it habituation. Therefore it should be clear that this is a review of the first impression after some four hours of intense listening through my music collection.

Preliminary to reviewers: I have an extensive musical education in piano, violin and electric guitar (though no musical studies) and my taste in music covers up on pop / folk music and hip-hop and all sound developments that have developed from it, all styles from ,

Short vote: A very good to high-quality headphones, which is worth the money. The term reference is significantly exaggerated! The K551 is a flatterer and Schönfärber with weak bass (that later under the heading Sealing more), partly bright highs and a significant weakness in the female vocals. Weak points at a high level.

Construction and handling: The design with a continuous strap, tilt mechanism of the shells and one-sided cable feed is already known from the K550. The headset is comfortable to wear, also expresses a spectacle in any way and is suitable for all head sizes. But due to its size it disturbs when listening to music in bed with a headrest (car, chair, etc.) shifts the ear.

iPhone / iPod / iPad and control cables: for the purpose as headphones for mobile devices the cable length with a little more than one meter is right. The cable makes a stable impression and is firmly connected to the headset. The 3.5mm jack plug has a noticeably thick form, so that it can in the strict conditions of the jack cause problems. For Apple devices, including the iPad with its tapered shape, that's no problem. The device control is limited to the usual +/- and Start / Stop / Skip button. The buttons work well but the handling is not optimal. First, the remote control is too close to the head (with me about at shoulder height), which handles uncomfortable means to adjust. On the other hand the keys are almost not to feel (on the Start / Stop / Skip button is a tiny collection) and the key is seamlessly tiled. That along with the proximity to the head lead to unnecessary Fummelleien and operating errors.

Suitability and volume: There is nothing to complain about. The impedance is exactly matching the iPad and the efficiency is good enough to produce decent volume. It is striking that the iPhone 4GS is noticeably quieter than the iPad. The isolation of ambient noise is good. The headset shines because of its semi-open design but also pretty good from what in train and subway can certainly be disturbing. The built-in microphone, I have not tested.

Sealing: With Sealing the correct position and pressure the earcups is referred to, which are particularly important for a closed headphone. Here you have to repair the possibly manually in K551! In my head shape of the contact pressure was significantly low, which has led to a can sound with virtually no bass. Who sample listening to headphones and want to test to see if it is secure for the optimum sound, can do a very simple test: Just very lightly press with your index fingers centered on the shell (the AKG logo) and watch the sound change. When is full by a slight pressure of the sound, balanced and the bass appear at least, you have to make improvements. The bracket is made of steel and can be bent gently until the contact pressure of the ear cups is optimal. What sound / pressure is optimal, everyone must decide for themselves. Too much pressure klingts dull. This sealing problem that is by design, it was also the way its predecessor K550!

And now to the sound! Has been tested with AAC-encoded music from the iTunes Store and self-ribbed with 256kbits to iPhone 4GS, iPad 3 and MacBook Pro. The latter has a headphone output, the best could be used for Skype and thus allows no statement on the headphones. Horrible!

In general, the K551 sounds open with a touch of analytics. Its frequency response possesses a remarkable treble boost, which will be very stressful at certain music. Bass is only limited available, as with many AKG headphones! Who wants to let it rummsen, is better off with Beyerdynamik. He tends to have a certain embellishment and some compression, particularly in the centers. This ensures that the sound is very soft and a little exhausting (if the high places were not running amok), but he smeared details and structures that represent a K501 or K701 clear. In the field of female vocals, there is a further weakness to be examined, the timbre and Growl wegschmirgelt downright. Schön (sic) to hear at Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly.

Particular strengths: The slight compression in volume and space and the treble boost ensure that especially older recordings, whether rock / pop or electronic, really sound very good. Whether an old Clapton disk, FM sounds of Kitaro or Steely Dan, it sounds good and you catch involuntarily to rock with. The often called "analog" designated sound effect.

Particular weaknesses: compressed to death and at the push of earphones and 128kbit optimized mastering, that much of the current consumer goods, is not pleasant to hear. Soggy in the middle, spongy, yet flatter bass and far too glaring heights. And. As a judgment of a 49 year old who really has no longer the best frequency response to your ears But perhaps this rape of sound's true the youthful taste? In my it is not. I prefer a homemade soup and a stock cube.

Rock / Pop: Very well suited as long as you hang up no sacrifice of Loudness War (see weaknesses)

Singing: Good to very good, depending on the timbre of the singer. There are really good sounding examples as Jane Monheit, neutral as sweet as pop singer Marit Larsen and losses as called jazz singer Roberta Flack. With good vocal recordings stood with me most likely a disappointment.

Jazz: limited suitability for particular class recordings since space and loudness together back into place. Although it sounds very good and can still listen relaxed, but you lose quality. The K551 forms an acoustic bass very well, the K701 can be heard sliding the finger on the wire windings of the strings and where (top, middle, bottom) the hand is straight. Saxophone lose eg audible to growl and blowing noise (when recording is at all dry enough, the mitzutragen).

Classical: fully well suited if you're not a bean counter. Piano and violin are, whether large concerts or Quartet, tonally very well presented. Large orchestras are pushed a bit but always clearly. Really good, you can always listen to classical music at home a first-class facility. For use on the go the K551 is very good.

Electronics: As long as there is not a flat compressed dance production, it sounds very good on the K551. The whitewashing takes the not infrequent aural hardship on some tips and makes listening comfortable.

Old recordings: Just old recordings with very limited frequency response, such as my collection of historic jazz recordings are unpleasant to listen because of the sharp treble boost.

Conclusion: To recommendatory headphones in sound and mechanically the high price of equivalent quality. But one should it necessarily probehören thoroughly with their own favorite music, because it takes sometimes quite significantly in the sound.