Akin it's golf counterpart, the AKG 271MkII is the Big Bertha driver of headphones, more forgiving in its reproduction of a much wider spectrum of recordings (player capabilities), more tolerant with lesser quality recordings (drives) in terms of quality and genre. Like all AKGs, it features patented Varimotion speakers that provides realistic sound with a wide frequency response. Comfortable as the headset is self-adjusting to fit most.These closed-back headphone have great sound isolation and its auto-cut off is a useful recording feature....preventing sound bleeds during recording or if used in close proximity where privacy is required. Comes with two screw on stereo adaptor jacks - gold-cladded (1/8" & 1/4"), two sets of donuts (one velvet, the other leatherette) and two sets of headphone connectors - one 5m coiled, the other 3m cable which is attached to/detachable from the left earpiece of the headphone - connectors/port are robust. This allows for a cable upgrade/ replaceable to survive more rugged long term studio use.**UPDATE**: Having used this sparingly in the past year for the clavinova, it had not had the chance to burn in. The past 3 months however, my nephew borrowed it and presumeably he must have left it running for hours, it came back, sat back in the drawer till I took it out last week for a relisten. AND... I was simply amazed at what I heard - I have a dramatically different pair of headphones. Without comparing to my higher end cans, I can say this could become my default listening pair. At the unboxing, the K271MKII was dull and unremarkable, I had instantly regretted my purchase. However, the headphones have really "opened up", I can literally hear the 3D soundstage, layer and different instruments that I couldn't before coming together beautifully. The bass resonance unlike the K702 is beautiful, natural and has depth. I had originally been a little disappointed though it served the purpose of a closed pair but NOW, I'd be listening to it a whole lot more. Sounds brilliant with most repertoire: classical (be it orchestral, ensemble, chorale to opera), Buble, Black Eyed Peas, Hromek's Celtic Guitar, Sting, Amici. Quite the all rounder close behind Sennheiser HD598 if not at par already. RECOMMEND FOR THE PRICE. STEEPLY DISCOUNTED. ONE DOESN'T NEED TO CHASE THE LATEST MODEL, THESE SUPERCEDED ONES ARE A REAL DEAL.Sound performance ... still trails the K702 but still a great pair of hps - losing out a little in the spatial soundstage and sound separation category. But has fuller thumping bass unamped. It delivers for some...good design & utility. Some have said it's really AKG's legendary 240s in closed form. And some have mentioned preferring the semi openness of the 240s. Where one requires a closed back set, this is it. Or if you listen to a lot of legacy or other recordings of lesser or varied quality and want an all rounder pair from AKG without paying much more on headphone amps, DACs or the like.First look, great AKG packaging from the outside. The item itself is lighter than expected but that just means it's more comfortable to wear. Touch, look and feel ... well I bought these hps steeply discounted, so can't really complain... ... the (attempt at a)"3D" logo & L/R marker buttons have an aberrated iffy look (fr an angle) which has an overall cheapening visual effect and the edge of the leatherette headband feels just a tad rigid and sharp to the touch unlike the softness of leather. I have no doubt however that this is based on AKG specification and endorsed, I might add. The dbl wire-frames allow the hps to be hung-up. A great quality look overall if you don't look too hard.Put it this way, AKG clearly decided chinese manufacturing has come to its own, or decided for the volume churn making the chinese line accesible to the masses at half to a third the cost of its austrian counterparts... I believe that with a co like AKG everything is made to specification - on purpose. hm. If AKG edicted, I believe the made in china lines can also be made to look, feel and sound the same as its made in austria family members. Remember... it's all about perception and marketing. There are those who buy the brand there are those who buy the utility - and a lot of us in between. This provides a choice across the market spectrum.This is accessible utility riding on a reputable "snob" tag. Perhaps that is also why the MKII studio lines are made in china whilst manufacturing of the higher end lines "K700"s (where more perceived uberness is required) are retained in Austria and built to that set of spec. All up a great pair for the studio at amazon special prices. Just wished AKG would do something about the logo/badges which could have a better finish.Personal headphone ranking: 1) AKG K702; 2) Sennheisser HD598; 3) AKG K271MKII