2013-02-22 AKG K514 Mk II

Lightweight sounds good, looks great

Creative Fatal1ty

I've been using a Creative Fatal1ty headset. Problem is, the cable starts twisting on itself and bends, then twist becomes permanent, breaks and finally the tiny wires inside break. The Creative Fatal1ty's microphone is removable and easily replaced. However, as with most headsets, the cable is not replaceable, and the headset wasn't designed to be repaired.

I decided to replace the headset, but kept the microphone; the microphone uses a standard 3,5 mm mini-jack, and can be plugged directly into the computer.

AKG K514 Mk II

I replaced the Creative Fatal1ty headset with AKG K514 Mk II headphones.

A quick examination of what's available in local computer hardware and hi-fi stores left me disappointed; many have reduced not just the size of their inventory, but their selection as well, with many carrying the same small selection of brands and models as their competition. I don't want to pay too much for headphones I use with the computer, and there isn't much to be had for Creative Fatal1ty money other than the Creative Fatal1ty itself.

I ended up buying the AKG K514 Mk II headphones headphones from a record store. The American list price of these headphones appears to be US$ 99,00, with many online shops charging about US$ 70 for them. After a brief try, to make sure the fit and sound seem okay, I bought them for € 33,00. I checked online prices later, and it seems I got these at a bargain price; the list price on nl.akg.com is € 59,99.

The local Free Record Shop, a Dutch retail chain which does not not carry records anymore and certainly not for free, had these in stock. I had gone out to buy a replacement and take it home immediately, but did check their website later. Their site sells a few dozen different headphones, including AKG headphones, but most are considerably more expensive and this model is not listed at all. They've had that website for years and frequently offer good online deal on new movies, but it seems that for headphones, you're better off visiting their stores to see what they've got in stock.

not a straight replacement

If you're considering another headset, do note that this is not a direct replacement for any headset.
The AKG K514 Mk II lacks features that the Creative Fatal1ty has.

no microphone

The AKG K514 Mk II are headphones, not a headset. I was using an old desk microphone already, not unlike the ones computer shops still sell. Because I already have a microphone, I do not need another one attached to the headphones, so I prefer not to pay for it either. All the money I paid for the headphones is sound reproduction, none of it for sound capture.

no controls

The AKG K514 Mk II cord does not feature an in-line volume control. An in-line volume control does not improve the sound, and even when you clip it on, the controls are never were you want them to be. Using the Creative Fatal1y, I have on more than one occasion accidentally touched the volume wheel or microphone mute button. Inn-line controls have a small but noticeable weight and are relatively fragile. Short cords with in-line controls make sense for portable audio, but at a desktop computer you're better off without the controls and a somewhat longer cord.

Headphones without volume controls are not for everyone.
One older computer I still keep around has a SoundBlaster Live! Drive II built in; it provides all kinds of connections on the front panel, including a volume control. My current desktop PC does not have that. I currently rely on the volume controls offered by Windows and the applications I use. I sometimes use the computer headphones with the stereo set the PC is connected to, and have been thinking about getting an USB DAC/headphone amplifier, which would provide a better DAC, better headphone amplification and a nice big volume control in a device I would not need replace when I buy my next computer.

looks

The AKG K514 Mk II headphones are circumaural semi-open headphones; they very much look and feel like closed headphones, but are not really closed. Those around you can hear what you're listening to, and you will still hear the doorbell while listening.

One issue with the Creative Fatal1ty that never really bothered is that they are, in a word, ugly. The black and red look cool in the box, but not so cool on your head. I don't mind their techy look when I'm behind my PC, but frankly, anyone looks ridiculous wearing it.

The white and grey AKG K514 Mk II looks gorgeous. The off white headphones and cable not only go great with an iPod, their retro yet modern stylish design will have Apple fankids still using tiny earbuds jealous for your trendy looks, long before they know how they sound.

fit

The AKG K514 Mk II headphones are a one-size fits all design. AKG calls the headband self-adjusting. The braces linking the two cans are fairly large, with an elastic headband between the left and right side to make sure the headphones stay put. Put that way, it almost sounds bad, but the construction looks reliable and it is comfortable.
The Creative Fatal1ty is adjustable, but not much, and you have to get it just right to prevent it from being to loose or too tight. I like AKG's no-adjustment design better. They headphones fit fine, no adjustment required. I'm not in the habit of sharing of my headphones, but you can do so without worrying about having to re-adjust them when they're handed back to you.

The AKG K514 Mk II features substantial ear pads, more than a centimetre thick. The outside is perfectly circular, but the inside is oval, to better match your ears. They enclose your ears, but because of the semi-open design, you still hear what's going on around you.

The straightforward design of these headphones keeps things lightweight. The AKG K514 Mk II is only 190 g, and that is including the cable. The elastic band ensures the 'phones stay put, but exerts minimal pressure. These headphones are quite comfortable and I've already worn them for several hours straight without discomfort.

feature	value
weight	190 g
cable length	3 m
impedance	32 Ω
max input power	200 mW
sensitivity	107 dB SPL/V
frequency response	16 - 22.000 Hz
distortion	< 0,5 %

cord

I do pay attention to cable length when buying headphones. A 1,5 meter cord may be enough for use with an iPod you carry on you, but when I sit behind my computer I want a bit of room to move without pulling or straining the cord. Experience has taught me that 3 meters is a good length. Like the Creative Fatal1ty, the AKG K514 Mk II has a 3 meter cord. The AKG K514 Mk II is slightly thicker, suggesting that it contains more substantial wiring. The cord isn't too thick and is sufficiently flexible. The cord is not detachable, you just don't get that at this price point. Only time will tell how long the cord will last, and it is not immediately obvious how to open the cans, but I do like that it all looks substantial enough to repair with magnifying glasses.

Nowadays most headphones have a cord going into just one side. That is preferable to headphones with wires going to both cans, as you are less likely to get tangles and break the cord. AKG is still selling models with wires going to both cans. I suggest avoiding those. The cord of the AKG K514 Mk II conveniently attaches to the left can.

The braces between the left and right cans looks like like they're made of plastic, and has the warm feel of plastic, but when you try to flex them, they resist the flexing like a thin metal band does. I'm guessing the braces consist of two plastic-covered metal bands that do double-duty as an electrical connection for the can on the right side; so the plastic cover is electrical isolation as well.

features

One model I briefly considered as a replacement for the Creative Fatal1ty is the Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Sigma gaming headset. This one is more expensive, but two features that attracted my attention are its dual-mode connectivity, which simply means that it supports both digital USB and analogue mini-jack connections, and the fact that it has what Creative advertises as a tangle-free flat cable. Hm, seems to me Creative knows the cable on the Creative Fatal1ty ain't so good.
What quickly turned me off this model is not just that it is more expensive, but that I neither need nor want all its features. If you are into gaming and want 3D sound from a headset, this may be the right choice for you. I do play games, but still do not care much for surround sound. I do care about not spending too much, and want the money I do spend to go towards good stereo sound. I do not want it wasted on dual-mode adapters, virtual surround with THX certification or other fluff I am not going to use anyway.

impedance

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 stereo headphones I use with my stereo set have an impedance of 2 × 250 Ω; they sound great on an amplifier, and the quality motherboard in my computer can drive these, but the voltage they require makes them a bad match for battery-powered electronics and low-voltage devices in general.

Like many modern headphones, the AKG K514 Mk II has a low input impedance and high sensitivity (107 dB SPL/V), to make them suitable for use with low-voltage devices such as computers and iPods. The AKG K514 Mk II has an input impedance of 32 Ω, which is a fairly common value for headphones used with computers.

sound

The AKG K514 Mk II aren't particularly expensive headphones, and when you buy a cheaper model, a relatively large part of the price you pay goes towards manufacturing and distribution, instead of the quality of the components.
The AKG K514 Mk II sounds good for the money. That's not entirely surprising, as the design is functional, and does not waste material or manufacturing complexity on superfluous things like embossed logos. Perhaps the printed logo on the side of the cans will fade, but I am happy that my money went to parts that actually matter.

The stated frequency response of 16 - 22.000 Hz is better than most headphones at this price point. Most models, including the Creative Fatal1ty, have a frequency response of 20-20.000 Hz. The wider frequency response is a good thing, not because you are likely to need it, but because what you do need is well within its capabilities, not at the edge of its capabilities.
If I wasn't spoiled by the audiophile headphones, I'd be tempted to describe the sound as crystal clear. The sound seems uncoloured, with good detail and clarity. You should not expect much oomph from bass notes at this price, but bass is audible, high notes are crisp, and the all-important midrange is great.
AKG claims these headphones provide sound the way it was meant to be heard. The mere fact that they sell considerably more expensive models contradicts that statement already, but it is true enough. When I played a few MP3 files from my Palm T|X I the sound quality wasn't limited by the headphones, but by the MP3 files and Palm's playback.

The AKG K514 Mk II are near the low-end of the AKG range, but these headphones are more than good enough for ordinary computer use, pretty good value for money, and look good too.