Product ReviewsAKG K 240 Semi-Open Studio Headphones

The AKG K240 Sextett Is A Classic That Has Stood The Test Of Time

This is my first pair of AKG headphones. I was going to purchase
a modern pair when I read a review about the K240 Sextett which
was so impressive, that I decided to see if I could locate a pair.

Having found a used pair on E-bay for a very reasonable price ($79 shipped), decided to purchase them, since I was interested in seeing how well these cans would match up with some of my headphone amplifiers; including a Schiit Magni 3 and Little Dot MK2.

First off, the physical condition of these roughly forty year headphones is quite good. And they are well constructed.

Moreover, the leather ear pads appear to be original, yet, are in very good shape as are the headphones themselves; the only thing needing replacement here being the tiny rubber bands that allow for the adjustment of the AKGs. A nominal expense.

As for the sound, this is a headphone that concentrates on the midrange, and whose clarity here is remarkable.

There were three versions of the K240S designated EP, MP and LP
for early production, middle production and late production.

The earlier K240S has 6 orange colored passive radiators per speaker, and the MP and LP models are said to have white colored passive radiators.

The EP version is said to be the most desirable of the three because
of its ability to produce strong bass, while the latter two versions are
said to be a bit shy in bass. The other attributes of the K240S are said to be similar in all three versions.

I am not certain how to distinguish between the latter two models,
however, the K240S that I purchased does have white colored
passive radiators so it would have to be either the MP or LP version
of the K240S.

As for my K240S I have noticed the following:

The midrange is glorious. The bass of this particular K240S is, surprisingly, *not particularly subtle, while the treble, while good, can become a bit shrill with a solid state headphone amplifier like the Schiit Magni 3 (the Magni 3 has been called a giant slayer and for good reason, since it offers Hi-End audio performance and excellent
construction for a pittance -$99).

*Some reviewers have claimed that the EP version has excellent
bass, while the MP and LP version were lacking in this area.

I have used the Magni 3 with several newer headphones from Sony,
Grado, Koss, and Sharkk, and found it to work quite well with them.

In fact, the Magni 3 is so popular that Schiit is constantly trying to meet the demand for this little gem - which often results in a waiting time of as much three weeks from the time it's ordered on their Website to the time it's shipped.

While the Magni 3 did not match up quite to my expectations with the
K240S, I've found that the Little Dot MK2 - a singled ended triode design - and the K240S are the proverbial match made in heaven; there is a synergy between these two components which results in a wonderful outcome.

The warmth of instruments and voices through this pairing is not only
palpable, but it also allows for hours of listening without listener fatigue.

Moreover, in spite of its 600 ohm impedance, the AKG K240S is easily driven to very loud levels by the Little Dot, which bespeaks
how well these components complement one another.

*Of course with headphones one must be very careful not to damage one's hearing, so it is easier to start off with the headphones at a lower
volume, and then gradually increase to a volume which is comfortable
for you.

I could continue to wax poetic about these AKGs, however, that would take away time from my listening sessions and enjoyment of them.

So in closing I can say this much: If you can find a pair of Sextetts that are in good shape and being sold at a reasonable price, you might want to consider purchasing them before someone else does.

Check E-bay's listing of sold items by typing AKG K240 Sextett into the search area, in order to get an idea of what these headphones are selling for.

This way you can get an idea of what they are worth based on their
condition, before you decide to bid on or purchase a pair.

Keep in mind that relative to other versions of the K240, the Sextett is fairly rare and really is a special piece of Hi-Fi gear that has stood the test of time.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: electric_seal

They're good but not for studio purposes

I bought these headphones to play/practice with my guitar and eventually use them as monitors for recording and mixing as I continue building up my mini home studio. They're comfortable and seem pretty well built despite the price. The sounds has lots of mids range. They're not flat which is what you'd want for monitors and mixing. They come with an extremely long cord which is awesome and a 1/4 inch input adapter. If they were more flat sounding they'd be the perfect headphones. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: sound_systems_inc

Quality sound for less money

I have purchased several of these headphones since my first ones back in 1977. My last set, I gave to my Granddaughter. She is 12 and has chosen to learn how to play the bass guitar for the school band. Her mom is very appreciative of my doing this. So, I had to buy another set for my own enjoyment. I won't buy any other brand.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: downtownphoto

Quite successful model

These earphones, perhaps, most monitor of all monitor. Sound a little dryishly, plainly, colourlessly, not dynamically. More shortly, with beauty don't impress, especially on single tools. For those to whom "effektnost" is important aren't suitable. Nevertheless, provide very correct, not crumpled, accurate reproduction of composition as a whole. And it is very important at mix control. Besides, due to the general linearity, a correctness and legibility of sounding these earphones are very universal. Possess record-breaking low level of sound pressure that reduces fatigue, but complicates collaboration with loud external sources of a sound (for example, guitar amplifiers and percussions). To an overdrive practically aren't inclined, the overload if arises, very soft. Suit and for record of a vocal, especially loud and from long distance to a microphone, otherwise penetration of accompaniment into a vocal track is possible. Provide quite acceptable level of comfort though the limit of adjustments is insufficient it can to appear rather big for people with the small head. Cable unilateral, flexible, three meters long, I will corrode mini Jack with an adapter screwing on on it on chetvertdyuymovy Jack (sockets gilded).Read full review...

Well Balanced, Detailed

Purchased these "open box" a month ago. Excellent price-or-not, these cans offer really nice detail, a pretty flat tonal spectrum (I flipped back and forth from my JBL studio monitors to the 240s and was astounded at how similar they were) and are remarkably comfortable. The build quality - despite their "Made in China" origin - appears to be solid (I admit, though, that I'm not hard on any of my equipment, excepting guitars). I am using these for mixing purposes, so critical detail and flat response are more important to me than spatiality, to be honest - if there's a negative, that's it: the 240s don't have any greater degree of separation than my Sennheisers or my AKG K140s. Not bad, mind you - just not "remarkable" in this regard. Very comfortable over-the-ear cups, and a nice long cord (I can't tell you how many times I had a pair of phones give me whiplash due to my own stupidity - assuming I still had two feet of cable left) and the semi-open baffle plate reduces incessant sonic pressure from five-hour sessions, allowing my ears to work longer than I would have expected. Aside from not being able to use these at a condenser mic while tracking, the K240 Studios are absolutely my choice for mixing - and for what I paid for them (about $65) I can't ask for a better value. They sound excellent, and I highly recommended them.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: gabrians

A very good Headphones for studio use

These are the first full studio headset I bought. The sound comes very clear especially the mids and high frequencies. the lower tones seem to lack power - I know they're not "heavy bass street phones" but still a bit weak. I use an amplifier that makes them sound much better.

The design is nice and very comfortable - could leave them on my ears for hours.

To sum it up I'm pretty content with the headphones but would recommend new guys in the field of headphones to go for something a bit more "heavy" on the bass.Read full review...

Good value for the money

The AKG K240 is a slightly better than adequate headphone at very affordable pricing. It is light in weight and comfortable. The low end is good, but not stellar. I am using this set of phones with my IPad for facetime music lessons. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: sweetwatersound

Its good but could find better

Its alright ive had Logitech headphones with slightly better quality for the price. But its still good enough, comfort could be better but also good. The wire comes off left ear which is dumb most computers are on the right side or equipment so wire crosses you. Wire is long which is good.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: sillyname48

Can be a touch bright.

Depending on your source material these phones can come across somewhat peaky in the upper frequencies. I want to try them with a valued headphone amp to see if that might yield a smoother response.r>Low frequencies are extended and pretty well defined. No problem with mid frequency reproduction. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: 718bronx

Great sound for a great price

Very opened-sounding acoustics. Comfortable and stylish too. However, keep in mind that these headphones are semi-opened so they are not good for recording as whatever you're listening to will leak into any nearby mic.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: krazykoolaudio