K-271 MKII : Magnifier glass

For judging my sound on location, I use this headphone in addition to Beyerdynamic DT770. The AKG K-271 MKII does not sound "pleasant" but it will give you the tiniest details of what your microphones hear, especially transient information.

The transient detail density also makes it very useful for narrators and voice-overs, as they will immediately hear their own lip smacks and saliva noises, resulting in a much better behaviour of the mouth.

I love the automatic switch in the headband mechanism. Some artists have the tendency to take off their headphones near a microphone and the switch will avoid feedback ruining anything in the chain. The only problem is with hipsters who want to hold the headphone in their hand with one speaker to an ear. Or when they want to protect their valuable hair dress and keep the headband in their neck. In these cases no sound will come out of it. Much to my enjoyment, as I despise behaviour with an "attitude". Let's just get the work done and put it on your head properly! This headphone is very good for that.

In comparison to the Beyerdynamic DT770, I should say that the 770 has a much more easy to listen to sound with fewer detail accentuation. So in case I need to reassure an uncertain musician when they want to hear back their playing (violinists especially), I prefer to hand them the DT770. The AKG K-271 MKII would be a bit too honest in such a situation. Also: the DT770 is better suitable to judge low frequency rumbling when you do a location recording. It's overblowing the lows, but that can be helpful if you want to find a good setting for your HPF.

All in all I think the AKG K-271 MKII and the Beyerdynamic DT770 make a very good addition to each other, in both studio and location recording.