This is a very good price for the AKG K3003 cause the other are still selling these for around $999, which equal to $520 USD. If you love detail, analytical sound, the AKG is made for you. I know this is expensive earphones, but you will hear a significant difference from you apple earbuds. Anyway happy listening guys :)
But they do sound 520USD better than Apple earpods :)
$720 for earphones . .geeeeeez
I could probably get new ears for half the price.
I CAN'T HEAR YOU?!
wow i own a pair of these, good they were a gift from an ex-gf.
didnt think they cost this much.
then again i got them 3 years ago
if she bought you 1000 dollar ear phones, maybe you shouldn't have broken up with her… although that said, maybe you should have!
I broke up with her because everything sounded the same with the headphones.
Sounds like a broken record.
Otherwise known as a sugar momma.
I have the most bemused look on my face… Is this a joke?
$720 down from $899 down from "RRP $1990"…
Good bargain according to what others are selling them for but sheesh, people need to prioritise their lives…
The most expensive earphone that comes to my mind is sitting on USD $2,999 ($2,000 for the earphone, $999 for the amp/dac however, the earphone do not work without the amp/dac), Shure KSE1500 (RRP and it's just released). This is without considering CIEM (though I think they fall under $2000, at the very very least).
If we talk about headphone, USD $4,450, STAX SR-009 (MSRP, I've seen it go down to $3,000) and you require an amp that's specifically designed for an electrostatic tech and a DAC for it, which is more than often more expensive than the headphone itself. I think STAX may have released a new model, which might be more expensive?
These of course, are only looking at what is currently available. The most expensive headphone I think was Sennheiser Orpheus, USD $16,000, which now fetches far far higher price (it was a limited edition and it includes a tube amp as well).
Though that said, I personally dislike the price being the main topic. I mention price as a sidenote to see people's reaction, when a person talk to say that he/she cannot fathom spending over $100 on a headphone. Price as the main topic belittles/portrays the hobby as "race to spend the most money on these devices". Being an audiophile is a hobby, something that people choose to do. Some want to replicate what they heard in real life as closely as possibly can with their setup, some want to simply enjoy the music and goes to search for the one that sounds the best for them. These tend to lead to going for pricier option as you go further into them. Like many car enthusiasts or other kinds of enthusiasts, just because audiophiles gawk at these things, does not meant that they will buy it and spending all their money on them.
I've seen people spending $1000s on camera, fishing, cars etc etc, I personally don't see this as any different as those hobbies. Just because there are cheaper options out there (which don't do what the expensive ones do as well as expensive ones can do), it shouldn't belittle what expensive options do, at least that is my opinion.
If you appreciate good sound and can afford it, why not? (Assuming they are better than $200 ones.)
From CNet
The Good Superb sound quality; Attractive, sturdy design; in-line remote acts as a hands-free headset.
The Bad Ridiculously high price.
The Bottom Line The AKG K3003s offer a stunning, balanced sound and a very sturdy, attractive design. They're easily among the best in-ear headphones we've heard but their horrendously high price tag means we can't recommend them.
Wow, didn't think I'd see K3003 at that kind of price.
I've heard that microphone is one of the weakest part on K3003i, so I've seen people recommending K3003 over K3003i.
It's definitely something that not many people would buy, but then again, audiophile hobby is very expensive one if you continue seek out for the best.
In terms of sound, I've heard that this is, depending on your preferences, one of the, if not the best, best earphones within $1,000~$2,000. I had to put a price limit because Shure just released a new high end model, with electrostatic tech which apparently sounds amazing (It's USD $2,999 including an amp/DAC combo (which the earphone cannot work without).
Though that said, I doubt anyone would or should buy this without trying it.
Couldn't agree more. I own one now, tried different iems in $1000-$2000 price range (Final Audio Forte IX, Earsonics S-ME6, Velvet JH 13 Pro), i cannot say those much more expensive is better, maybe around 10%, just different sounding and tune.
How does the K3003 compare to the others? I've heard that noise isolation is pretty cruddy due to it being a dynamic cross armature design. Is fit comfortable or fiddly?
All i can say is it good and does the job, just don't expect the Bose level buddy.
Yeah no way I expect Bose level for universals.. Maybe the Shure846's though?
I've got customs and they block out a lot of sound ;)
Thanks OP bought 5
Nice meme
What a bargain! :P
bought 5!!! lets ballin guys :p
With that title and price I thought that this was some type of health monitor that could read your vitals from your ear. Oh well, too late now, bought one.
Thanks, got a few pairs to chuck in my bag as spare earphones
Weird- search for these extravagantly priced earphones and you find them at places you associate with the bargain basement end of the market- GraysOnline, Oo, DealsDirect.
What are you supposed to plug them into? Anything portable will limit them and if you don't plug them into something portable what's the point? Might as well get regular headphones unless sticking things in your ears turns you on.
Anything portable will limit them and if you don't plug them into something portable what's the point?
Plenty of portable players out there that will drive this no problems.
Might as well get regular headphones unless sticking things in your ears turns you on.
Well no, because earphones are easier and cheaper to drive than the equivalent headphone. Not to mention sound isolation differences.
Feed them a top-quality signal and they’ll make it sound better than you ever thought possible. Do the opposite and you’ll wonder why you bothered.
Trouble is, even the best portable we’ve heard – Apple’s iPad 2 – isn’t good enough to show what these buds can do. A good-quality laptop is better, but not by that much.
Is it AKG’s fault that sources aren’t up to scratch yet? We’d say not: given a feed of suitable quality – we used our MacBook feeding Audiolab’s M-DAC, as well as our reference sources, Naim’s CDS3 player and NDX streamer (powered by 555PS power supplies) into Graham Slee’s Solo headphone amp – the results are stunning.
Read more at http://www.whathifi.com/akg/k3003i/review#DGyrb6VyACTwBG7S.9…
even the best portable we’ve heard – Apple’s iPad 2
Errmmmm, I really don't think we're talking about the same thing here LOL
Will it sound like real girls moaning in my ears if I use it to watch prOn?
For this coin I would want ear moulds included, not generic tips.
I own too many pairs of headphones and IEM's, AKG is not a brand known for quality IEM's (unless I missed it).
"One day John decided to buy a pair of earphones more expensive than this car…"
Can you price match at office works??
Well theres my secret santa for this year. Done. Oh hang on I just paid $720? I thought it was $7.20. Aaaarrrgghh
Love that people are bagging this deal- possibly the same ones who are more than happy to drop well over a grand on a gaming rig and eyefinity setup.
Worth is determined by the person spending the money.
Good deal OP, definitely not in my price range but hopefully someone finds it useful :)
Wow with an opinion like that, gotta wonder if we're soul bros or something….nah it's just common sense
Cheers mate :)
It's not going to sound $520 USD better than Apple earpods.
Don't forget the Monster cable too. :)