TheSloth Posted May 24, 2006 Report Posted May 24, 2006 I bought a pair of physically very good condition K340's from head-fi a while back, and found that the left driver was not working properly - the electrostatic element wasn't doing anything. I contacted AKG who informed me that they can repair the K340, and charge a flat fee of $80 for any electrical work. So, I sent off my cans and today, true to their word, they called me to inform me that the would completely replace both drivers for the said flat fee if I wanted to go ahead, and would return them tomorrow FedEx Express! I'm very excited! Any suggestions for a K340 noob?
tkam Posted May 24, 2006 Report Posted May 24, 2006 Wow I have to say thats impressive that they still repair a pair of headphones that old, but impressive has been par for the course in my experience with AKG's support.
TheSloth Posted May 24, 2006 Author Report Posted May 24, 2006 They have been excellent - very forthcoming and responsive. I'm curious what kind of K340 I'll end up with, as there are reportedly so many different drivers out there...
TheSloth Posted May 24, 2006 Author Report Posted May 24, 2006 you lucky bastard Yes, but then again that's a flat fee so you can grab pretty much any condition pair of 340's and get them up to factory spec...
philodox Posted May 25, 2006 Report Posted May 25, 2006 Well there is a novel way of getting a nearly NOS pair of K340s! Bravo! EDIT: I wonder if they would sell me old parts? I'd love to buy a box of the drivers...
tkam Posted May 25, 2006 Report Posted May 25, 2006 Jason, I see no reason why they wouldn't they seem to be like Beyer in that they will sell you any part you want.
philodox Posted May 25, 2006 Report Posted May 25, 2006 Thats it! TheSloth [what is your real name btw?], send me a PM with an email address... I want those drivers.
Guest sacd lover Posted May 25, 2006 Report Posted May 25, 2006 i believe he is Monseigneur Horgun Karl Baptiste Von Schupplenhauer Zerg VI. I think you spelled Carl WRONG.
TheSloth Posted May 25, 2006 Author Report Posted May 25, 2006 Thats it! TheSloth [what is your real name btw?], send me a PM with an email address... I want those drivers. Get in touch with [email protected], Mark Zucha - he's the service guy at AKG. Very friendly guy. It's Daniel by the way.
Post Posted May 25, 2006 Report Posted May 25, 2006 what the heck, first name basis too! good stuff, i think the only better service i've heard about was from Koss, hehe.
tkam Posted May 25, 2006 Report Posted May 25, 2006 You might also want to give Patricia Burns a call, shes the parts manager for AKG USA: Patricia Burns 615-620-3832
TheSloth Posted June 2, 2006 Author Report Posted June 2, 2006 Well, they're here! I've had a day with them now, and run the new drivers (both were replaced, and they sent back the old ones which looked in pretty bad shape so I just threw them out) for about 12 hours. Things might change/improve with burn-in, but I think overall the sound signature is pretty settled. They are a very strange pair of headphones indeed. They aren't that hard to drive - I am at about 10-11 o'clock on medium gain with my convertible. I'm trying to get my head round the frequency response. People have said that the K340 isn't very flat, but I personally can't hear and large peaks and troughs disturb me - I'm oversensitive to brightness, and the K340 certainly doesn't exhibit any un-natural response in that area. It also has a very good bass response (I am certainly happier with it than with the K501 that I tried for a while). I do however hear a slight discontinuity between the dynamic and electrostatic elements of the sound - it seems that the midrange is rather slower than the treble, with the definition to the sound coming from the electret element. The electret sound has that electrostatic 'sweetness' which I've come to love since my hi-fi ears were broken in on a pair of QUAD ESL's. I suspect however that the dynamic driver is a little 'behind the times', compared with that AKG and others are able to do with dynamic drivers today. It just lacks a certain articulation throughout its range - that might simply be the location of the driver, which is of course behind the closed back of the electret meaning there is a lack of 'directness' to it's interaction with the ear. That's just speculation of course. I'd appreciate any comments from other K340 owners.
philodox Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Nice impressions, sounds like you are enjoying them. They aren't that hard to drive - I am at about 10-11 o'clock on medium gain with my convertible.Your convertible? Do you listen to your music quietly, loudly, or somewhere inbetween?I'm trying to get my head round the frequency response. People have said that the K340 isn't very flat, but I personally can't hear and large peaks and troughs disturb me - I'm oversensitive to brightness, and the K340 certainly doesn't exhibit any un-natural response in that area. It also has a very good bass response (I am certainly happier with it than with the K501 that I tried for a while). I do however hear a slight discontinuity between the dynamic and electrostatic elements of the sound - it seems that the midrange is rather slower than the treble, with the definition to the sound coming from the electret element. The electret sound has that electrostatic 'sweetness' which I've come to love since my hi-fi ears were broken in on a pair of QUAD ESL's. I suspect however that the dynamic driver is a little 'behind the times', compared with that AKG and others are able to do with dynamic drivers today. It just lacks a certain articulation throughout its range - that might simply be the location of the driver, which is of course behind the closed back of the electret meaning there is a lack of 'directness' to it's interaction with the ear. That's just speculation of course.Sounds about right to me... they are rich in the mids, but I've always found them to be relatively flat. As to your comments on the dynamic driver, you may find that it will improve with burn in. Also, one of the simplest and most effective mods that you can do is bypass the circuit board for this driver. Stock: Cable --- Circuit Board --- Dynamic Driver --- Electret Modded: Cable --- Dynamic Driver --- Circuit Board --- Electret Other worthwhile mods: - Removing all the cotton will tune down the bass a little, but tighten everything up and add more clarity. - Taping up the back of the housings [where the cable enters/exits] with electrical tape will improve the imaging and make the soundstage more natural. - Recable the headphones, dual entry, copper wire. - Fit is key with these headphones. Replace elastics if necissary. K501 headband improves fit a bit for me and looks sexy. Velour earpads are more comfortable, seal better, and tune up the bass a bit. - Clean them, inside and out.
TheSloth Posted June 2, 2006 Author Report Posted June 2, 2006 Your convertible? Do you listen to your music quietly, loudly, or somewhere inbetween? Convertible = Desktop Portable w/Max Modules. I listen at about 80-85dB.
philodox Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Convertible = Desktop Portable w/Max Modules. I listen at about 80-85dB.The very same Max Modules that I loved at the National Meet... well yeah, that'll drive 'em. I didn't go over 12 o'clock myself on high gain... of course that was a Balanced Max.
TheSloth Posted June 2, 2006 Author Report Posted June 2, 2006 The very same Max Modules that I loved at the National Meet... well yeah, that'll drive 'em. I didn't go over 12 o'clock myself on high gain... of course that was a Balanced Max. What mods did you have Larry do on your K340's? I can see some wood there...
TheSloth Posted June 2, 2006 Author Report Posted June 2, 2006 The very same Max Modules that I loved at the National Meet... well yeah, that'll drive 'em. I didn't go over 12 o'clock myself on high gain... of course that was a Balanced Max. 12 o'clock on high gain, in balanced mode? That scares the hell out of me! Single ended medium gain at 12 o'clock is too loud. Wouldn't balanced high gain at 12 o'clock be about 3 times as loud, at least? Edit Sloth is supposed to know about HR Amps! The stepped attenuator in the Balanced Max has very small steps towards 12 o'clock, which get progressively bigger after 12 o'clock so most of the volume range is actually after that point.
philodox Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 What mods did you have Larry do on your K340's? I can see some wood there... Everything I listed above and some [purely cosmetic] wood on the earcups and at the cable join. I also went with full techflex sleeving, even though it is not all that practical. It does seem to stand up to abuse better than the cloth type stuff he normally uses and it sure looks pretty. My first pair of K340's had BlackSilver... I can't recommend it. BlackMax and BlackGold [heard both on modded K340s] are a much better fit... I think that they like copper. I have BlackGold on my current pair and love it, but it is a bit pricey.
TheSloth Posted June 2, 2006 Author Report Posted June 2, 2006 It seems that the contact and seal against the side of the head is very important. Just by pressing slightly on the outer ear cup (not moving it enough to really move the driver closer to the ear), the seal is much better and the bass is improved. I have ordered the velour pads (those are the ones for the 271, right?) so I'm looking forward to the improvement. I think however that I'm going to be keeping these headphones, which is something I haven't said since my 650's 2 years ago.
philodox Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Yep, seal is key with the K340... replace the elastics if they don't hug your head with enough tension. Those velour pads will help as well. Stretch them first though, they are a pain to get on.
TheSloth Posted June 2, 2006 Author Report Posted June 2, 2006 Yep, seal is key with the K340... replace the elastics if they don't hug your head with enough tension. Those velour pads will help as well. Stretch them first though, they are a pain to get on. How do I go about replacing the elastics, and what did you use as a replacement? I'm such a K340 virgin!
aerius Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 How do I go about replacing the elastics, and what did you use as a replacement? I'm such a K340 virgin! Step 1: Find an attractive female with a ponytail Step 2: Ask if you can have her hair elastic Step 3: Repeat steps 1 & 2 until you have a nice collection of hair elastics Step 4: Remove the screw in the headband and open it up. Step 5: Replace worn elastic with one of the hair elastics you got
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now