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!)

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!

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.

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.

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

Engineer/Student

Industrial/Metal/Pop

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

Home Recording Studio

Acoustic Folk

I've never heard anything like these before. I'm hearing things I never heard before, it's like listening to my music for the first time. I use the K240 at work and got these for myslef. These have a richer sound than the K240.

The auto-off feature is useful, but quirky. I don't have enough hair to push the band up easily :-{(}

Plug it in and away you go. The one quirk is auto-off feature. I'd really rate this as a 9.5

Like well made and attractively finished. They look like they cost what the reatil price suggests.

Again, a 9.5

N/A

Engineer / Home Recordist

Spoken Word

I run my guitar from a Boss GT-6 in to a JS-5 to my headphone out. I wanted good sound duplication from my PRS and received it from the 271's.

Gold plated .25 to mini connector is great. My GT-6 is .25, while my JS-5 is mini. This feature was of great value to me.

I have not owned them long enough to make a good judgment call on durability, I have to trust thier reputation on this one.

I think value will vary for user to user. I found my 271's to be of great value based on my set up.

No problem so far.

blues,jazz,rock combo

If you are looking for a headphone mix uncolored by your room or other hot sources then the K271 is the ticket. In quiet monitoring situations the 271's sound very similar to the 240DF's. The 271's may have a slightly smoother bass response with more detailed high frequency output. The apparent output levels for the same input levels are almost identical between the two. When the background level is hot there is no contest. Another benefit from the extra isolation of the K271 is the ability to use lower monitoring levels while maintaining the desired clarity and punch. This helps protect one your most valuable resources, your hearing. This also leads to less fatigue during long sessions. I plan to use the K271's in all monitoring situations where I had previously used K240DF's. No doubt the K271 is worth a little more than the K240DF if you need the isolation from loud sources!

The light weight and comfort is a serious plus during long sessions.

Artist/recording engineer

An acoustic mix of Southern Rock, Country, Blues, and Gospel...

Simply awesome.Linear frequency response over the whole spectrum,tight but full sound.Great for drum n bass producing;they go all the way down to where its at,but not boomy or muddy at all.Crisp highs and defined mids.Exellent definifion.Sings in your ear!

Sturdy construction.Retro look.And i can wear them for hours without getting tired ears or sore neck:-)

Theese must have the wrong pricetag on them!Worth every penny..

Drum n bass producer

Drum n Bass,Jungle,Experimental,Nu era mindsounds

Very flat and true

what to expect on a headphone? auto mute was a very practical feature

looks good feels good but lets see how long it goes

u get for what u pay for. i got every penny for this headphone

never used it

recording and mixing engineer

alternative rock

the sound is so clear.. and they are so flat.. i'm a sound engineer from Egypt and i did a lot of mixing for a famous people.. they don't know it but i used these headphones for mixing my tracks... i just have to say you CAN'T use them for mastering... just mixing..

it's wonderful

for 200 $ ... my lunch cost more than that ..

sound engineer

all

I usually don't give 10 out of 10 with any product's review anywhere. If you are looking for a truely transparent monitoring headphone, this is it. It has a bit brighter sound, but you'll get used to it and YES, you can trust this headphone to mixdown or even mastering.

It's closed headphone. Very quiet, and do what exactly it needs to do. It also has an auto-mute feature; if you take off the headphone, sounds will automatically shut. Comes with a mini plug.

All gold plated. Looks heavy but it was VERY light, yet surprisingly comfortable. If Sony headphones killing your ears, you might want to look at AKGs.

If you can afford it, it is a very good value.

N/A yet.

Not as pretty as other AKG headphones, but it sure give you a 'studio-level, SOLID' looks. I love it.

From Ballad to Techno

These simply sound fantastic. If you need to listen carefully for detail then I couldn't imagine a better way. (I am not a professional though so take this part of the review for what it's worth.)

The auto shut off feature is strange; I have to tug on the cans to make them switch off. But it's not a big deal, I never need it anyway.

I'm going to differ from the other reviewers and claim that these aren't too comfortable. I can't wear them for very long at all before my ears start to hurt. It's not from the sound; the cans just physically don't feel that great. Maybe I have a funny-shaped head? But with the ridiculously good zZounds return policy you can return them if you don't like them. so they're worth a try.

Ridiculously sturdy. I've accidentally dropped them, stepped on them, thrown them, sat on them, and countless other silly mishaps that would have mangled a lesser pair of cans. I don't worry about these at all anymore, nothing short of a steamroller could harm them.

Haven't needed it

They look professional, but aren't too exciting.

Hobbyist

Trance

These are what I've been looking for in a studio headphone. Sound quality is there, and true sound...Great for Rock music, though I probably wouldn't use these to mix Hip Hop or Rap...The bass responce is more suited for Rock or classical or jazz,etc...Very clear mids(not over done like some headphones I bought--and was dissapointed in)...as well as well defined highs.

The lightweight and comfort of these phones is unbelievable...great comfort, nice fit. I own a few $40-$50 AKG's(for visiting studio musicians)and they are super comfortable(and for the money, sound pretty damn good)...so was'nt sure if these K271's would be as comfortable...they are! Of courese, a nicew feture is the switch that stuts the sound off when you take them offf...Cool...

Nice look, built well.

They are worth having. In my opinion, the price was right for these phones.

N/a

Cool looking phones. Although I have prefered the larger ear cups in the past, the smaller, rounder shape looks better and I am pleasently surprised of the comfort of the ear cups on me...almost no difference in what I'm use to.

Amaizing headphones!!!! Closed back so sound doesn't leak in or out of them. Sound quality is verry good for closed back headphones and pro headphones in general. The sound is well balanced - not too much bass, midrange, trebble. Circumaural design makes them very comfortable!!! I can listen to them for hours on end and not bother me the least bit. They are light and flexible. If you can afford them definetely buy a pair of these!!! You will not be dissapointed

Very well built - solid yet flexible! They even look good which isn't common for closed back headphones. No delicate joints so there is no fear of anything braking. Reliable headphones

I got mine new for $130 but 199 is still a good investment

Never had to deal with

They look good!!

Recording Engineer / Producer

Hip Hop