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Add to SafariWhen comparing AKG K81 DJ vs Oppo PM-3, the Slant community recommends AKG K81 DJ for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” AKG K81 DJ is ranked 68th while Oppo PM-3 is ranked 103rd. The most important reason people chose AKG K81 DJ is:
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.
Specs
Question Ranking
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 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 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 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.
