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My trip through headphones and speakers was very diverse, but I finally reached the top floors and found out I am completely lost. As the title suggests, I am about to buy one of the AKGs (most likely 712) and it would seem they lie in a territory that cannot be run from basic on-board sound card. Currently there is an MSI B150 GAMING M3 motherboard with an on-board Realtek ALC1150 sitting in my case. According to many articles and forums, on-board sound cards are better and better. ALC1150 seems to be satisfying for normal use. However, it would seem it is not powerful enough to run the 712 PRO. Not enough anything. Under perfect circumstances: 115dB 40 Hz – 15 kHz,dB +0.02, -0.07 THD 0.0043 I might be new to the higher part of audio technology, but I can tell that the picked headphones would be pointless to connect to such card. Frequency 10Hz - 39.8kHz, max input 200mW, impedance 62 ohmu, sensitivity 105dB SPL/V, jack 3.5mm, cable lenght 3 m Do I go for an external sound card like Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround HD, something internal? Do I need additional amp, or will the card manage to run the 712s on its own? Asking like this always annoys the hell out of me, makes me feel like my brain failed. However, here ti comes: I would really appreciate help from the skilled and more knowledgeable. Could some good soul offer advice?

I want a pair of open back headphones to supplement my ATH-M40x's for mixing electronic music. I wanted a second pair with a really wide soundstage and a different sound from the M40s and, after some research, landed on either the K701s or the HE-400is. Whichever pair I get, I'd also like to buy a cheap headphone amp and landed on the E1, but I'm open for suggestions on a different cheap amp. Which pair do you guys think is better?

I would like to upgrade the (detachable) cable on my AKG K7XXs with something shorter than the standard 10 foot cable that came with them. I probably only need 4 to 6 feet. It has the AKG three pin connector. I looked online and their a quite a few available on Amazon, etc. Anything in particular I should consider for these particular headphones? (62 ohms) Any suggestions based on experience to help me narrow down the choices. I don't think I want to spend more than about $75 (it looks like there are quite a few well below that - but again, looking for something tried and true). Your input would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Here is my review of the Audiophile 'Flagship' AKG K-812, which has become my no. 1 headphone - not because it's the most accurate or warm etc., but because I've learned to accomodate its unique sound and experience a new level of music enjoyment. AKG K-812 Audiophile Stereo Headphone review

Here's an interesting coincidence, or maybe synchronicity: My last review, of the open-back Philips SHP-9500, described what to me is a near-perfect headphone at a low price, lacking only a little in the low bass but having a neutral overall sound with a great soundstage. This review, of the closed-back AKG K-553, is complementary in an interesting way. This headphone has a very similar neutrality and great soundstage (for a closed headphone), but where the Philips has a rolloff in the deep bass, the AKG bass is full-up and the overall sound is warmer and slightly darker than the Philips. If ever there were 2 headphones representing my ideal signatures (neutral-light and neutral-dark), with little to no coloration and good soundstage, open and closed, and very low in cost, these 2 are it. I present the AKG K-553: AKG K-553 Around-Ear Closed-Back Stereo Headphone review

I'm selling something from my personal collection. Didn't think I'd do it because you can no longer buy the temple pads for the K1000s, but I would like to test some of the newer upper headphones like the Focals. I ran these off of two 300B Paramount amps by Bottlehead. Regardless of what you run them off of, I would use the custom speaker tap adapter included as the output versus going directly into the 4-pin. The adapter cable is approximately 8' long and made out of nice Canare wire and uses high-quality techflex and a nice Neutrik jack. Just to add a little more about the temple pads. These are in 9/10 shape, which also indicates low hours. It is very rare to find a pair with this S/N that is in such a great condition. I'm not going to elaborate much on these. They're in very good condition and they sound unlike pretty much anything on the market. Furthermore, these are S/N 4313, which is a VERY rare S/N to find and some people feel that these have more bass than the 10XXX models. The last pair on eBay in the 4XXX sold for $3,206.95 USD. They should appreciate more than most you see with the wooden boxes. Unlike other headphones, these use no acoustically hard components, which enables the sound to interact more freely. What truly makes these one of a kind is the fact that they're equivalent to wearing speakers on your head (hence the speaker tap adapter cable they include). They require a lot of power, which is why we upgrade the adapter cable. The speaker enclosure uses a vibration-free diaphragm that is driven by a magnet system to minimize any interference or distortion and really provide a personalized listening experience. The speakers actually open and close using adjustable hinges and the hinges and locks both work very well. Many used ones you find, will have one or all of the locks not working. By opening and closing distance to your ear, the sound will change. Unfortunately, I don't have the manual, case, or original speaker extension adapter anymore, but I feel that both the custom speaker adapter cable and the case are much better than the original. The case is a brand new Pelican 1400 which we custom fit for the AKG K1000s. The case was purchased less than 1 month ago. There is a link to the manual on their website if you search for AKG K1000 on Google. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions. $1,650 via PP. I will pay shipping in CONUS; Buyer pays PP fee or via F&F.