AKG K271 Studio Closed Headphones

Feature:
I use them for studio recording and they are nothing short of spectacular. The isolation is excellent so they are well suited to a performer listening to the other tracks while recording vocals. They also have an auto shut off switch that turns them off when they are removed from your head. This eliminates accidentally leaving them on while they are sitting on a table and someone is recording. A great feature! And finally, the AKG trademark self-adjust band is fantastic when you are swtiching between different performers in the studio.

Quality:
These seem to be very well made and look like they'll stand up to years of studio use. The cord is detachable which is a plus in some studio situations, but also means its replaceable if it ever fails.

Value:
A phenomenal headphone for the price! I've listened to quite a few, and for studio work, I don't think you can do any better at this price point!

Desirability:
These are sharp looking cans as well. They have that studio "look" to go along with their top performance.

Sound:
I use them for studio work, where isolation is important and sound reproduction is less so. But I also use them for mixing down after a multi-track session where sound reproduction is critical. Previously, I was using a set of open-back AKG K-401s. The 401s probably give a bit more accurate reproduction than than the sealed 271s, but the 271s have a stronger bass response and are closer to the output you'll hear on speakers. So if you're mixing to create a CD that will be played on your average stereo (as most people are), these are a better choice.

Overall:
Great performance, great features, good looks, reasonable price - what more could you want? Overall, the 271s prodcue sound that is rich, highly detailed, and uncolored. They are top-notch performers even without a headphone preamp and are great for studio work. For sealed cans, you can't do much better!

Feature:
Its handy to have a detachable chord, and the screw adaptor is nice to quickly switch between gear. The auto-off is nifty as well and has come in handy more than once. The sliding-headband mechanism is handy, but I wish it didn't occasionally re-adjust itself in use (you hear the rubber mechanical movement and it can occasionally be annoying.) All in all though, a somewhat unique and definitely useful feature set!

Quality:
Solid through and through, seriously, I would buy them again just for thier durability. They've survived numerous (pretty much daily) falls, the cord's been mangled, tugged, stepped on, pulled out of gear, ect. They always come through and look good as new. They have proven amazingly durable, more so than any other headphone I've ever used and as said above, don't show the damage they've taken. The Sound Quality is fantastic, its spacious, and compared to the studio monitors, highly accurate, moreso than Sennheisers that tended to exaggerate one aspect over another. The clarity and space presented to one's ears is unbelievable.

Value:
Simply put, I sought the best monitoring headphones and have come to rely on the AKG-271's in numerous situations from the studio to live mixing applications to video monitoring all of which they shine through wonderfully. They have allowed a whole new level of clarity possible an environment neccessitating individual monitoring. Plus they feel great and are thus far indestructable.

Sound:
Simply the best headphones I've encountered, either at home or the studio. The accuracy and space is amazing, I actually took them off the first couple of times I was using them to make sure it wasn't coming through the monitors (they are that detailed and spacious.) They've since become the headphone of choice in the work environment, (they were originally purchased just for DAW work but keep finding uses in mixing environments!)

Support:
N/A zzounds has been great though and shipped fast.

Overall:
Love the clarity and accuracy of represenation. I can listen to my mix on these and know what it will sound like coming out of the JBL studio monitors like no other. They are also light and durable and can be easily taken on location. I wish the headband didn't readjust itself, but that is being nit-picky. These are the best closed-monitor headphones I've encountered and have since become a personal favourite.