AKG K 242 HD HEADPHONES
New iteration of a studio classic.
Music professionals revere AKG’s award-winning K 240 Studio headphones for their outstanding performance and exceptional comfort -- the ideal choice for any application demanding totally uncolored sound. K 242 HD semi-open headphones continue the tradition, with a super-comfortable lightweight design and extra-large speakers with Varimotion diaphragms for high sensitivity, wide dynamic range and high sound-pressure levels. K 242 HD headphones are everything that 1,500 technology patents and 60 years of feedback from the world’s leading performing and recording artists can make them.
* Around-ear, semi-open design
* Self-adjusting headband comfortably conforms to your head
* Gimbal-suspended phones settle against ears without pinching
* Ultra-soft velvet earpads
* High-efficiency output with wide dynamic range, perfect for mobile environments
* Single-sided, 99.99% oxygen-free cable for pure sound transmission
* Hard gold-plated contacts and plug with 3.5-6.3 mm adapter
| Headphones weight without cable (g) | 240 |
| Sensitivity (dB/mW, dB/V*) | 91, 104* |
| Audio bandwidth (Hz to kHz) | 15-25 |
| Max. input power (mW) | 200 |
| Rated impedance (ohms) | 55 |
| Convertible jack plug (1/8" to 1/4") |  |
| Replaceable ear pads | |
| Patented self-adjusting headband | |
| Unbreakable metal arches | |
| 99.99% oxygen-free cable (length in m) | 3 |
| Single-sided cable | |
| Hard gold-plated jack plug and contacts | |
| Patented Varimotion diaphragms | |
| Semi-open, dynamic headphones | |
| NdFe magnets | |
| Suited for (SA)CD, DVD(A), DAT | |
| Best for MP3, CD, MD and PC/laptops | |
AKG K242HD REVIEW FROM PC MAGAZINE:
An amazing, balanced pair of hi-fi headphones
AKG's K 242 HD headphones are a great choice if you want sound with a neutral, natural character. They're quite comfortable, block out a decent amount of background noise and sound great, despite exposing every flaw within music.
Models like the K 242 HD sit in a difficult part of the market — below high-end, amplifier-driven headphones like AKG's own K701, but leagues ahead of even the highest-quality models from more mainstream companies like Logitech and Creative (Creative's Aurvana X-Fi Noise-Cancelling Headphones headphones spring to mind).
This part of the market is hotly contested, confronting consumers with difficult choices. However, there are some decisions you can make that will narrow down the field. Generally headphones are offered in either a closed or open style, each with its own advantages. Open headphones have a wider, more expansive sound, but closed headphones block out background noise and offer a tighter fit.
The K 242 HD headphones are closed, and they sit over the ear. This circum-aural style keeps the drivers in close proximity to the listener's ears, delivering a more balanced, even sound. With an exceedingly flat frequency response all the way from 16 to 26,000Hz, these headphones are versatile enough to suit any musical style. They can sometimes sound a little analytical and expose the flaws within music, but if you've got a high quality collection of music and a good source to play it from this isn't a problem.
Treble is exceedingly clear and flawless, but isn't pronounced over other frequencies. While listening to The Presets, cymbal crashes and electronic notes sounded measured and composed without being harsh or overly bright. One advantage of the analytical nature of these headphones is that listeners can pick out backing instruments and musical elements that would otherwise be muffled or veiled. We noticed this in Portishead's latest album, with sweet reverberating strings suddenly becoming clear and prominent.
Bass from the headphones is incredibly quick and tight, although it doesn't seem to extend as low as the 16Hz roll-off might suggest. There's no real resonance here, which can leave the headphones sounding slightly empty if you don't know what to expect. Bass has a kick but it doesn't linger very long, so if you're used to deep, slowly-decaying subwoofer bass you may be left a little wanting. You can, at least, remind yourself that this is a more realistic reproduction of music.
Mid-range is equally well-composed, with male vocals sounding spectacularly clean. One flaw — and it's not even a real flaw — is that these headphones are able to pick out every imperfection. If you're going to be listening to low-quality music or streaming internet radio, prepare to sit in agony; unless the source you're listening to is perfect you'll notice compression effects and distortion.
Instrument placement and soundstage is an area where we enjoyed the transparency of the K 242 HD headphones. We were able to pick out individual instruments in binaural orchestra recordings, giving the headphones a remarkably three-dimensional sound.
If you want a set of headphones to listen to your ultra-high-quality audio collection on — music with a huge variety of instruments, requiring a perfectly balanced frequency range — you can count on these headphones. Don't sully them with anything less than the best, however. They'll show up every flaw in your compressed MP3s.
For nearly 60 years, AKG has been building an international reputation as one of the world’s most elite suppliers of microphones, headphones and wireless systems. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the “city of music”, AKG has amassed incredible engineering know-how and an intellectual base with more than 1,500 worldwide patents that are the foundation of the unique sound of AKG products. The signature “AKG Sound” is the basis for the incredible reputation and popularity of AKG products.
AKG products are the synthesis of premium European design and impeccable workmanship infused with an intimate understanding of what truly sounds right. AKG engineers work in one of the largest and most advanced acoustics laboratories in Europe equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that enable them to fine-tune products to the highest degree.
The acceptance and use of AKG products by leading engineers and musicians for demanding recording, broadcast and live sound applications and by architects and consultants for installed sound projects is a testament to their incredible sound, bullet-proof reliability and long-lasting quality. You can use AKG products with confidence that your equipment meets the highest standards.
