K 1000
THE ULTIMATE BINAURAL EXPERIENCE

A UNIQUE PRINCIPLE

Binaural Hearing Just as three-dimensional vision depends on more than a pair of eyes, three-dimensional hearing, i.e., the localization of sound sources outside the head, depends on more than just a pair of headphones. Binaural hearing uses two cues: the time delay between the two ears and the spectral cues from the outer ear. Closed headphones do not provide these cues.
The Solution Is Totally Open Headphones. The K 1000 uses perfectly mobile diaphragms driven by newly developed VLD (Ventilated Linear Dynamic) radial magnets. This type of dynamic transducer provides maximum acoustic transparency. There are no acoustically reflective parts and the sound can develop freely. A small electronic network finetunes the transducer. In order to optimize the frequency response, it is first measured with a probe microphone in an anechoic chamber. Then the time/energy distribution (Wigner distribution) is measured. The result is an interference-free, plane-wave sound field in front of the ear, which the pinna geometry translates into a unique listening experience.

UNIQUE DETAILS

Acoustic Transparency
The unique new transducer is housed in a lightweight wire mesh case which is acoustically open. This means no reflections in front of the ear, no sound coloration. The degree of openness is even visible. Just view the grid squarely from the outside. You can almost look through the earphone.

Multilayered Diaphragm

The diaphragm is made up of four layers. This eliminates unwanted partial vibrations. A layer of organic varnish protects the diaphragm against aging and fatigue.
Adjustable Temple Pads, Self-adjusting Headband
Soft, yet stable leather pads keep the earphones clear of the ears. The fixed front pad holds the earphone firmly but gently. The rear pad slides out to conform to the head shape. The leather headband between the steel arches is selfadjusting.

Swiveling Earphones

Not only do the earphones float clear of the ears, but their angle in relation to the ear is adjustable. The result is true personal stereo from headphones that can be adapted to the unique shape of the users head and ears. The earphones may be fixed at any angle.

Cord and Interfacing

The K 1000 uses an oxygenfree copper cord Y-connected to the bottom edge of the earphones. It connects to the loudspeaker output of the amplifier via the supplied connecting cable and precision connectors.

Garanteed Uniqueness

Each K 1000 is tested individually, carries its own serial number, and comes in a wooden case, with a detailed manual. Only specially trained and selected dealers are authorized to sell K 1000 headphones so as to guarantee an unbroken chain of unique quality from design through production to service.

No Need to Take Our Word

Resisting the temptation to describe the K 1000 sound in our own words, we are quoting reviewers from several countries, many of whom have given the K 1000 reference status. (The quotations are excerpts from detailed reviews.)
GERMANY HIFI VISION 4/90 the result of the Device of the Year poll among 18,000 audiophiles by the German magazine HiFiVision: Headphones above DM 250.: 1st: AKG K 1000 (around DM 1,400.), 81 %. 2nd: Stax SR Lambda Professional MKII (around DM 3,350.), 4.9 %. 3rd: Sony MDR-R 10 around DM 7,500.), 3.7 %. Production Partner 3/90 Conclusion In order to leave no room for doubt, the AKG K 1000 headphones outperformed all other headphones tested so far. They ought to be standard equipment for recording and mixing engineers in professional studios. The K 1000 proved their mettle in the most diverse fields ranging from listening to CDs to mixing down in the studio. The spaciousness and low-end power are particularly convincing. The K 1000 sound best with the earphones angled so that they just dont touch the ears. Even in long continuous listening sessions the K 1000 turned out to be comfortable. Open and diffuse field equalized closed headphones were used as references in comparative tests but never equaled the performance of the K 1000. stereoplay 10/89 Revelation the extremely fast, accurate, and airy sounding Stax must for the first time put up with an equal rival. The AKG K 1000 offers a surprisingly natural stereo perspective for headphones and a pleasingly open, airy sound as well as outstandingly precise bass reproduction, all of which justifies its position in the top reference class. Reviewers opinion: Absolute top class, reference class. HIFI VISION 9/89 Vienna Calling Because the Stax with its accuracy had kept comfortably ahead of all competitors, the even higher midfrequency and dynamic resolution of the K 1000, which no other dynamic headphones had achieved before, was all the more remarkable. In the high-frequency range, the situation was similar: the K 1000 provided a more detailed and even more open sound than its Japanese rival. At long last, there is a viable alternative to the legendary Stax reference headphones, and it is less expensive to boot: the successor to the throne from Vienna. Reviewers opinion: Reference class. SWITZERLAND HIFI VIDEO TEST 3/90 Binaural Perfection Developed on completely new criteria, the AKG K 1000 headphones are not only of excellent build quality and, being easily adjustable, very comfortable, but provide perfect sound as well. They seem to be the most technically and acoustically advanced headphones on the world market and are suitable for use by both professionals and very demanding music lovers. JAPAN Stereo Sound 1/91 K 1000 Elected Component of the Year Vienna/Tokyo. Every year a panel of experts invited by Japans most influential magazine, Stereo Sound, awards the title of Component of the Year for outstanding innovations in consumer and professional audio. In 1990, the panel elected the AKG K 1000 headphones best of category. FRANCE La nouvelle REVUE DU SON 6/7/90 Listening to recordings made with a single pair of microphones, the three-dimensional effect is amazing. The phantom sources are no longer heard inside the head but instead from all around the listener and even their lateral distances can be judged very accurately. The German Staccato record in its Spezial version, produced for headphones listening, gives a track-by-track introduction to the fantastic world of binaural listening with applauses surrounding the listener, planes passing over your head, or the sensation of sitting on a chair right among the musicians in conclusion, the K 1000 are a new reference for dynamic headphones in a totally open design. Reviewers opinion: Reference class. DENMARK high fidelity 3/90 The new headphones from AKG are nothing less than a revolution! In fact they constitute a completely new standard for realism, pinpoint localization, and user comfort not to mention design. Things like this, of course, come at a price: The K 1000 costs kr. 6,000. A lot of money for a pair of headphones, but not at all unreasonable, if you compare it with the loudspeaker sound you can get for about the same amount! When you invest in a K 1000, there is automatically an almost perfect listening environment included in the price: Admittedly, the K 1000 is a pair of headphones you wear them on your head. But here all similarity to other headphones ends This calls for high marks. Behind the charts average we find three straight As one for design, one for construction, and one for sound quality. ITALY STEREO No. 12/89 The K 1000 mercilessly reveals the minutest sonic details with an analytic clarity that should make the most famous (and expensive, and bulky) loudspeakers blush with embarrassment. On top of that, it provides an exceptional sense of perspective, with the various instrumental sections clearly discernible but all in front of the listener. Even though this state-of-the-art audio product may look a little strange, it certainly sounds so damn good the phrase listening enjoyment finally makes sense. SUONO No. 12/89 AKGs solution to these problems is, it seems to me, a true stroke of genius. It is one of those things where you ask yourself, half incredulously, half bitterly, why nobody thought of it before. Well, actually, somebody did think of one aspect or another before. Just let me mention the first two names that come to my mind, STAX and J.J. FLOAT. But nobody had ever tackled the matter as thoroughly and, above all, with such impressive results as AKG with the K 1000. The highs are airy, open, spacious, as well defined as over the best electrostatic loudspeakers, and never become strident or piercing. Its marvelous. The sound stands up to any comparison with that of the best electrostatic headphones on the market (I tried it!) and in addition provides ambience, develops and breathes freely, comes through less veiled, less restricted in the highs, and less boomy in the lows.

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AKG Acoustics GmbH

Lembckgasse 2125, P.O.B. 158, A-1230 Vienna/AUSTRIA, Tel: (+43 1) 86 654-0*, Fax: (+43 1) 86 654-7516, www.akg.com, e-mail: sales@akg.com, Hotline: (+43 676) 83200 888, hotline@akg.com
Bodenseestrae 228, D-81243 Mnchen/GERMANY, Tel: (+49 89) 87 16-0, Fax: (+49 89) 87 16-200, www.akg-acoustics.de, e-mail: info@akg-acoustics.de, Hotline: (+49 89) 87 16-22 50, hotlinede@akg.com

AKG ACOUSTICS, U.S.

914 Airpark Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37217, U.S.A., Tel: (+1 615) 620-3800, Fax: (+1 615) 620-3875, www.akgusa.com, e-mail: akgusa@harman.com For other products and distributors worldwide see our website: www.akg.com
Specifications subject to change without notice.

Printed in Austria.

01/04/PROA 1481