When comparing AKG K553 Pro vs Oppo PM-3, the Slant community recommends Oppo PM-3 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Oppo PM-3 is ranked 103rd while AKG K553 Pro is ranked 132nd. The most important reason people chose Oppo PM-3 is:
Treble is quite detailed, but lacks a bit of sparkle on the highest frequencies as they are rolled off. The mids are just right, not too forward and not too rich. The bass has good presence and punch, but is not very powerful.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Quite comfortable to wear
The K553 Pro's earpads feature pleather materials which feel supple on the skin. Inside, the quality foam should provide ample cushioning. The headband also features a pleather surface and has some padding, which should help ease the pressure off of your head.
Pro Produces clean and accurate yet versatile sound
The sound is clear and accurate, and it should be very easy for the listener to pick out the details in the music. The bass level is just right without sounding boomy or muddy. The mids sound natural and neutral so these frequencies do not jump out of the mix. The highs are slightly extended, but do not make the sound harsh in any way.
Pro Solid build quality and premium feel
These headphones have very good build quality. Solid plastic and durable-feeling plastic is used for most of the headphones' parts. The matte finish adds a softer and more premium feel to the plastic surfaces. The headband is made of metal so it can handle some flex without breaking.
Pro Great noise isolation qualities
The closed design helps to greatly minimize sound leakage from these headphones. People near you will not hear what you are listening to when using these headphones. Also, the pleather pads allow for a great seal which further helps to minimize sound isolation and block outside noise from interfering with your listening experience.
Pro Neutral and detailed sound
Treble is quite detailed, but lacks a bit of sparkle on the highest frequencies as they are rolled off. The mids are just right, not too forward and not too rich. The bass has good presence and punch, but is not very powerful.
Pro Very good passive noise isolation
Its closed back design along with the fairly thick, leather-surfaced earpads are very effective at keeping the music in and the ambient noise out. This is very useful in tracking situations, and will also help you focus on the audio even when in a busy, noisy place.
Pro Fairly comfortable on the head
The headband and ear cups have fairly thick padding to ease the pressure on the head. These are covered with leather material so they feel smooth.
Pro Sounds great even without an amp
A headphone amp is not required in order for these to pump up good volume and sound details, so these can work well off of portable devices. There is a noticeable improvement in sound quality and volume when used with a proper amp though.
Pro Build is solid and feels durable
A combination of high quality plastics and metal are used for these so there is minimal flex and rattles. The headphone joints and yoke also have smooth movement, which make these feel premium when held.
Pro Cables are easily replaceable
The cables can easily be detached, with 3.5mm jacks as ear cup connectors. This makes looking for new/replacement cables very easy.
Pro Can be used for taking calls
Stock cable has an in-line microphone. Not only is this convenient for taking calls while listening to music, but the mic's sound quality is good, with voices sounding clear, full and with good volume.
Cons
Con Earpads may be too small for some
While the ear pads are able to provide ample cushioning, they are quite thin. Large ears may come into contact with the driver housing. This can lead to some discomfort and annoyance, especially when wearing the headphones for long periods of time.
Con Long, non-detachable headphone cable
You may encounter some hassle when using these headphones due to the cable. While the length is quite good at around 3 meters, the cable can get in the way and can be quite difficult to organize. The cable is also non-detachable, so replacing it can be difficult.
Con Headphones may feel warm and sweaty quickly
While the leather surfaces feel soft and smooth on the skin, they also trap heat very well. You may feel the warmth building up quickly around the ears and on the head. This can also be an issue if you sweat a lot.
Con Ear pad openings are quite small
If you have large ears then the small ear cup opening may be a problem. They may feel tight around the ears, or even sit on your ears instead of go over them, which you may find to be less than ideal.
Con Weight is on the heavy side
The use of metal and quality plastics on the headphone construction, as well as the magnets in the drivers contribute to a hefty weight. While this is not a problem to wear for short periods, you may feel some head or neck strain when using the headphones for hours. This also makes the headphones an extra challenge to bring on the go.