When comparing AKG K81 DJ vs JLab Epic2 Bluetooth, the Slant community recommends JLab Epic2 Bluetooth for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” JLab Epic2 Bluetooth is ranked 47th while AKG K81 DJ is ranked 68th. The most important reason people chose JLab Epic2 Bluetooth is:
You get 12 hours of playback off a single charge, which is better than most Bluetooth headphones.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Full bass with adequate levels of mids and highs
Despite the compact size. the bass is full, has great impact, deep extension yet is not loose. The low end also has a natural quality to it that makes these headphones great for music that is performed using real instruments.
The mids are slightly recessed, but also have a natural tone. The highs are the most recessed or rolled-off, but the detail and airiness of the music is not totally absent. This quality helps give the sound a smooth and pleasing tonality.
Pro Ear cups can swivel facing outwards
The K81 can be used “DJ style”, wherein only one ear cup is in contact with the head. The cups have a smooth swivel action so they can be rotated to face outwards. A user can choose to hold one ear cup up to his or her ear while flipping switches or turning knobs on the mix board with the other hand.
Pro Easy to travel with
While these are already quite compact, the ear cups can be folded into the headband to reduce their size even further. This makes them easy to stuff inside a bag and travel with.
Pro Comfortable to wear even with extended use
The clamping force is not too much at all, so acceptable levels of pressure will be applied on the ears. Also, the ear pads are thick with ample pleather padding on the surface. This combination provides adequate cushioning between the ear cups and sides of the head.
Pro Can fit a wide range of head sizes
The aluminum headband itself has some good flex. Combined with the sliding mechanism of the ear cups, K81 can be adjusted to fit a wide range of head sizes. Also notable are the numbered steps on each side of the headband, which allow for accurate and consistent ear cup positioning.
Pro Feels high quality
Although it's mostly made of plastic, the materials don't feel cheap at all. Aside from feeling sturdy, the plastics have a smooth rubber coating which makes them feel premium to the touch. Also, the headband is made out of aluminum which is significantly more durable than an all plastic one.
Pro Excellent battery life
You get 12 hours of playback off a single charge, which is better than most Bluetooth headphones.
Pro Clear, fairly balanced sound with forward mids
The highs and bass have good clarity. They do not stand out as amazing, but can easily be heard in the mix. The mids are quite forward so vocals sound great with these.
Pro Good accessory bundle
There is a carrying case as well as an assortment of ear tips and clips included. Not only does this add more value to the product, but this also gives you a lot of fit options when using these.
Pro A variety of ear tips to choose from
Aside from the standard ear tip design in different sizes, you also get a pair of triple flange tips for added noise isolation. If you have smaller ears, JLab also includes their shallow-fit tips which may give you a more secure fit.
Pro Universal remote
The in-line remote works fully for both Android and iOS devices.
Pro Great for gym or running
The ear hook design has the cable wrapping around your ears, helping the earpieces stay secure. They won't fall out easily while exercising.
Pro Very durable
The earpieces are made out of high quality, solid feeling plastic with minimal rattle. The cable has good thickness and does not feel flimsy. Its IPX5 rating minimizes the chances of liquid splashes damaging these.
Cons
Con On-ear design can still be uncomfortable
While the ear pads are thick and give a lot of cushioning, some may still find this to be uncomfortable. Being on-ear, some pressure is applied onto the ears.Those who are sensitive to this may still feel some discomfort, especially when worn for several hours straight.
Con Highs may sound too recessed
People who prefer their music with sparkly highs and utmost clarity likely won't find these headphones to be a good listen.
Con Lengthy cable can be a hassle
The cable is 2.5m which is fairly long. Since it is not detachable and the cable tends to tangle quite easily, it may cause some problems with regular home use or when taking these headphones on the go.
Con Mids may be too in-your-face
The boosted mids may make the music sound unnatural if this is a sound signature that you are not used to. Vocals may be too loud, and guitars, especially with distortion effects, can be abrasive.
Con Non-standard remote function activation
Activating the functions with the remote takes some getting used to as it's different from other remotes. For example, you need to hold down the volume button for 2 seconds instead of the usual double tap to skip to the next song. This can get annoying if you're used to the standard way.
