Hi there friend and Welcome aboard!!
Before we get into the AKG K92 vs. K240 comparison, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this comparison
- Introduction
- Similarities & Differences
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!
Introduction
The AKG K240 Studio is a legendary pair of headphones, but the build has changed somewhat since the manufacturing move over to China. I had a pair for a while and plan on adding them to my shelf again (as I’m trying to build a collection), so they’re definitely worth having if you value exceptional sound quality and a great mid-range. The only issue I had was that the darned thing felt like a toy that you might come across in the toy section of your local Wal-Mart.
I have owned a K240S (Chinese) and 2 K240M’s (600 Ohm/Austrian). The first pair had a slight buzz/static issue in the right ear (which the guy on eBay conveniently forgot to mention), and the second one (pictured 1st from the left) is a model that was given to me by my mom’s friend just recently. What are the odds! He also gave me the 260 right next to it.
Build questions aside, comfort is pretty good because they’re so light. The issue is the shallow ear cups that start to dig into your ears after a while. The hammock style adjustment is a breath of fresh air, and I wish more companies would employ it. Being that you never have to manually do anything, putting them on is always a breeze (like a summer day in June at the beach).
If you’re interested in my full review: AKG K240 Studio Review!
Aside from that, you may be wondering how the K92’s stack up in comparison! Let’s find out!
Similarities & Differences
Similarities
- Adjustment. Both sport the hammock style adjustment.
- Padding. Both have similar ear-cushioning. The cups are rounded, and the padding does feel rather cheap and plastic-like. It’s leatherette, but it’s prone to cracking over time. Also, the pads tend to make your ears hot over longer sessions. Also, both pads are very shallow and your ears will most likely touch the drivers. What is a headphone driver?
- Adapter. Both come with a 1/4″ adapter for use with your various devices.
- Comfort. The K92’s clamp harder than the K240’s, but aside from that comfort is similar.
- Fold. Neither headphone collapses or folds in any way.
Differences
- Bass & Application. The K240’s bass is very lean, in fact, I would call it light. It rolls off considerably, and even more so than and HD600. That said, it’s a true reference headphone, so this is to be expected. The bass on the K92 is much more boosted/bloated by comparison and does not represent a mixing/mastering/reference sound at all by contrast.
- Build. The build quality on the K92 is better than the 240, as it contains elements of metal (frame). They don’t feel quite as cheap as the 240.
- Open vs. closed. The K92’s are a closed-back set, while the K240’s are semi-open. Closed back vs. Open back headphones. Basically, the K240’s will leak quite a bit of sound, and you’ll also be able to hear your surroundings. So in addition to bothering people, you’ll also be bothered by their incessant rambling. 😛 Remedy: Only use these in a quiet and isolated studio environment. The K92’s provide a decent amount of sound isolation and can be used as a portable headphone in addition to in the studio.
- Amp. I would say that the K92’s won’t need an amp, while the K240’s definitely do. How to choose a Headphone Amp!
- Treble. The treble on the K92 is noticeably harsher than the K240 on certain Electronic music, as well as some instruments. However, for the most part, it’s crisp and detailed.
- Soundstage. The K240 will provide a better Soundstage, but the K92’s is very good, especially for a closed back. What is Soundstage?
- Cable. The K240’s come with a detachable cable while the K92’s do not.
- Overall sound. The K92’s resemble more of a V-shaped sound, while the K240’s represent a true reference sound.
Final Word
In this price range there are a few open-backed options to consider:
- The AKG K240. Fantastic mid-range, great overall clarity, good comfort factor, but the build is questionable.
- The Samson SR850. Same as above, with a bit more solid of a build but more treble emphasis.
- The Sennheiser HD558. Same as above, with pristine comfort and a pretty good build. Better than both of the above mentioned.
- Grado SR80e. More of a fun listen, with added bass emphasis and an alarmingly revealing character. The build is questionable but will suffice, and comfort is good (the 80e’s have the S cushions). 2kHz is over-hyped. Learn more: The best Grado headphones!
- The Philips SHP9500. The best out of the lot. A bit bulkier, but feels extremely solid in your hand, with some small features that make it stand out: Right and Left indicators on the outside of the vent in big block letters, and the headband adjustment features a window for easy matching on both sides. The sound is near impeccable, and comparable to an HD600. In fact, it may be better than the Gold Standard.
CHECK OUT MY OFFICIAL PHILIPS SHP9500 REVIEW!!
Looking for a closed-back?
As for a closed-back, the K92 is pretty good (gets mixed reviews) but there’s something better on the horizon: The Sony MDR V6. This is my go-to entry-level closed-back and for good reason. It’s stood the test of time (made in the ’80s) and has a remarkable sound signature in addition to being very comfortable and durable. While the K92 may feel a bit flimsy in the hand, the V6 certainly does not. Many folks complained about the K92’s long and cumbersome cable. With the V6, you’re getting a fairly compact coiled version, and it does fantastic in the studio as well as on the go. Interested in learning more about the V6?
CHECK OUT MY OFFICIAL SONY MDR V6 REVIEW!!
Well, that’s about it for today folks! I hope you’ve enjoyed this AKG K92 vs. K240 Comparison.
What do you think about these guys?? What about the 9500? The V6? Let me know!!
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Let me know in the comments below or Contact me!! I would love to hear from you…
Until then, all the best and God bless…
-Stu
