ie8 fix

AKG Acoustics K 101 review

Set price alert
Review Date:
Updated on:

Average User Rating

0.0 stars No reviews. Write a review

The good: Comfortable over-the-ear headphones; sounds swell with portables.

The bad: Ho-hum sound at home; excessively long cable may frustrate portable users.

The bottom line: AKG's midpriced K 101 headphones are better on the road than at home.

Pricing is currently unavailable.

Set price alert

Editor's note: We have changed the rating in this review to reflect recent changes in our rating scale. Click here to find out more.

The AKG Acoustics K 101 is an extremely lightweight and comfortable headphone set. It features AKG's famous self-adjusting headband, which provides automatic adjustment for the user's ears and head, and the padded, leatherette ear cushions add a further touch of luxury. The K 101's lengthy cable is terminated with a gold-plated 1/8-inch minijack plug and ships with a screw-on 1/4-inch adapter. The K 101 headphones list for $60 and include a two-year parts-and-labor warranty.

So far, so good, but things took a downturn when we evaluated the K 101's sonics. At home it was rather hollow--the sound was slightly aggressive and strident for our tastes. Bass on our Moby CDs was lightweight, and while the less expensive AKG Acoustics K 71's sound wasn't nearly as detailed, we preferred its more laid-back tonal balance. The K 101's affinity for DVDs was hit or miss, and we were always too aware that the sound felt trapped between our ears.

We were happier with the K 101 when we plugged it into our iPod--together they mustered fairly high volumes and good bass power and definition. Unfortunately, the K 101's 10-foot long cable was a nuisance when we were on the go.

Sponsored Premier Brands on CNET

Where to Buy

Pricing is currently unavailable.

Set price alert

ie8 fix

Quick Specifications

  • Release date02/12/04
  • Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
  • Product type Headphones
  • Design Semi-open
  • Weight 5.6 oz
  • Sound output mode [Sep 14, 2011 from CDS: Audio Output] Stereo
  • Connector type Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm

Ex-movie theater projectionist Steve Guttenberg has also worked as a high-end audio salesman, and as a record producer. Steve currently reviews audio products for CNET and works as a freelance writer for Home Theater, Inner Fidelity, Tone Audio, and Stereophile. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Full Bio

ie8 fix
  • Recently Viewed Products
  • My Lists
  • My Software Updates
  • Promo
  • Log In | Join CNET