AKG K 450 Premium Foldable Headphone

AKG's K 450 are titled "Premium Foldable Headphones" -- they are exceptionally good headphones for travel. I bought mine two months ago. I broke them in through continuous playing for about seven or eight days. I haven't found a high quality hp that didn't benefit greatly from such a ritual. I've taken the 450's on business trips and use them at home as well, while working. They are light, comfortable, well-built, and easily fold up for trips.

I'm listening to Richard Goode's recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2 as I write this review. Here are my notes. The sound-stage is stable and offers a full stage for the orchestra. First and second violins are separate, distinct, and well balanced. The violas and cellos have their own places. I can easily distinguish cello and bass parts. String tone is exquisite: soft and tectured with no sign of shrillness. Piano and orchestra are balanced and filled with nuance. Woodwinds are easily distinguished by tone...Read more

We can argue all day about the merits of the Sennheisser HD 650 vs. the AKG K701 vs. Your Grado Of Choice vs. Beyer 880's. Many have, and many will continue to do so. Sound dynamics end up being deeply personal, and often dependent on source material. The correct answer is AKG K701, but nevermind that.

When it comes to portable headphones, the factors are more complex. I have owned most of Sennheiser's normal protables, including the PX100 and the PX200, I've tried the AKG K81DJ. I've owned a couple of Audio Technicas. I *love* the Denon ATH-1000s, which aren't really portable, but really want to be. I've used multiple IEMs, including Shures and Klipsches. I'm always looking for a good pair of Portable cans.

Let me tell you: These are good.

Let's start far afield of the audio aspects: These are comfortable, and in a protable context, that is a big deal. I have tried IEMs. I have tried lots of tips. I have lived with them. I have joyed at the...Read more

This is an updated review as I've changed my perception of these cans.

These headphones are very comfortable. They come with a great carrying case with an insert designed for the headphones.
I purchased these as an "on the go" option due them being mini headphones, closed back, sturdy and compact. I purchased these as an upgrade to my Koss Porta-Pros. I have to say I was a bit disappointed in the sound quality initially as the highs sounded muffled and too low, mids seem a bit low and muddy, and bass was just plain overwhelming. These phones lacked tonal balance to the extreme. However, I decided to go ahead and burn them in for a few days (roughly 40 more hours or so) on top of the time they'd already had, which probably totaled about 60 or so hours. This did the trick. The sound is much better now. Better balanced, crisper highs, and better midrange. The bass is still a bit too powerful for my taste, but it's tolerable. The sound signature is similar to my Beats...Read more