Astell & Kern AK T5p 2nd Generation
The AK T5p 2nd Generation brings expansive closed-back imaging, thunderous low-end drive and a smooth, detailed upper range to portable-friendly listening. HomeTheaterHifi admired its immersive, beyond-the-earcup stage, warm mids and all-day comfort, while the balanced connection adds welcome attack and resolution. It is a compelling pick for listeners who prize powerful bass, scale and isolation.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
86/100
Comfort Fit
90/100
Build Quality
83/100
Features Usability
84/100
Value for Money
82/100
Pros
Unusually wide, immersive soundstage for a closed-back headphone, with imaging extending beyond the earcups.
Potent, impactful bass and strong dynamic scale give drums and basslines substantial weight.
Comfortable for extended sessions, with soft earcups, a padded headband and effective isolation.
Balanced cable operation improves resolution, tonal liveliness and attack with compatible players.
Cons
Bass can become boomy and obscure subtle detail on bass-heavy recordings.
Rival headphones offer greater fine detail and dynamic insight for the money.
The non-folding design and bulky case limit travel practicality; no 5-pin XLR adapter is included.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
The AK T5p 2nd Generation is a spacious, energetic closed-back headphone with unusually forceful bass and a clear, smooth upper range. Its presentation is highly engaging when the recording suits its low-end emphasis, though one review found that emphasis masks subtlety and leaves it behind key rivals for insight.
Bass
83/100
HomeTheaterHifi praised potent, deep and powerful bass, with audible string reverberation alongside substantial punch. What Hi-Fi heard a less controlled side, describing bass as lumpen, lifeless and boomy on some material, with reduced subtlety and detail.
Midrange
88/100
HomeTheaterHifi found the midrange nicely detailed, gently warm and consistent across genres. What Hi-Fi likewise heard clear mids and an otherwise balanced delivery when the music was not dominated by bass.
Treble
89/100
Reviewers describe a smooth but still detailed top end, with cymbal sheen and drum-skin texture clearly apparent. What Hi-Fi also found the treble clean, supporting an open presentation without reports of harshness.
Resolution Detail
84/100
The headphones reveal useful low-level texture, including the reverberation around plucked upright-bass strings, while keeping instruments clear in quieter passages. However, What Hi-Fi found less detail in strings and percussion than competing Beyerdynamic T1 Gen 2 and Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z headphones.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
HomeTheaterHifi was especially impressed by the expansive, immersive stage, saying images extend beyond the earcups in a manner more often associated with open-back designs. What Hi-Fi also heard convincing space and a suitably broad choral scale, although it characterized the width more moderately.
Dynamics
85/100
HomeTheaterHifi called the sound superbly dynamic, with thunderous kick-drum weight and impact. What Hi-Fi agreed there is scale, power and weight, but wanted greater dynamic insight and a more engaging sense of attack than the headphones delivered.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Comfort Fit
90/100
HomeTheaterHifi found the AK T5p 2nd Generation very comfortable over hours of listening. The supplied reviews offer no countervailing reports of clamp, heat or pressure problems.
Build Quality
83/100
The supplied reviews say little about materials, finish, mechanical robustness or long-term durability. The detachable cable arrangement is practical, but there is not enough reviewer commentary to make a stronger judgment about construction quality.
Features Usability
84/100
HomeTheaterHifi found the headphones easy to drive, a useful trait for portable-player use. The supplied detachable balanced cable, 3.5mm termination and 6.35mm adaptor provide sensible wired flexibility, though the reviews discuss few other ownership features.
Value for Money
82/100
At around $1,100, HomeTheaterHifi considered the AK T5p 2nd Generation worth the money for listeners who want strong bass. What Hi-Fi was less persuaded in this premium segment, arguing that more affordable rivals offer greater detail and dynamics.
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Specifications
- Model
- AK T5p 2nd Generation
- Transducer type
- Dynamic
- Operating principle
- Closed
- Frequency response
- 5 – 50,000 Hz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- Nominal sound pressure level
- 102 dB
- Sound Coupling to the ear
- Circumaural
- Power handling capacity
- 300 mW
- Weight Without Cable
- 340 g
- Cable
- 1.4m / Detachable, 4N pure silver and 7N Occ Copper hybrid 2.5mm 4-pole cable
- Connection
- 2.5mm balanced / 3.5mm jack plug / 6.35mm adaptor
- Specification
- - Audio was NOT muted during the measurement. - The image/specification may be changed without notice to improve product performance and quality.
Manufacturer's Description — Astell & Kern
Beyerdynamic x Astell&kern
AK T5p 2nd Generation is the latest collaboration between beyerdynamic – the renowned German manufacturer with almost 100 years of headphone-making heritage – and Astell&Kern, market leader in premium portable music players.
A closed-back design, the AK T5p 2nd Generation is tuned for optimal audio performance with Astell&Kern’s portable players, providing peerless clarity across all frequencies, plus excellent bass reinforcement. It uses high-efficiency Tesla Technology, and comes with an audiophile-grade 2.5mm 99.8% pure silver and OCC hybrid detachable balanced headphone cable. The headphones, which are handmade in Germany, also feature high-quality ear pads, to provide excellent comfort- even for long listening sessions. We increased the perfection of the product with black metal faceplate.
About Beyerdynamic
Established 90 years ago, 1924, in Berlin, Germany by Eugen Beyer, Beyerdynamic is the essence of audio technology. Beyerdynamic is the leading audio equipment worthy of its name that has developed controller-mounted wireless conference system starting with the world’s first dynamic headphone--the DT 48, which is available even today. As the inheritor of the Eugen Beyer brand, Beyerdynamic maintains the leading corporate image, vision and role put in place by the founder. The technological advancements, continuous innovation and the world’s best quality have made Beyerdynamic the undisputed industry-standard and sound technology market leader.
TESLA TECHNOLOGY
Thanks to Tesla technology, the cutting-edge innovation from beyerdynamic, our hi-fi headphones are equipped with new sound transducers that have the power of more than one Tesla. Due to the higher efficiency, the low-impedance sound transducers of the T 5 p reach the full sound potential, even with low-output devices such as smartphones, tablets, and high- resolution players. Additionally, the tilted shape of the sound transducers produces a fascinatingly spatial and transparent sound – for a dynamic and authentic musical experience.
Tesla Transducer
4N pure silver and 7N OCC copper hybrid 2.5mm 4-pole cable
Cable Included with - and designed and tuned especially for – the Astell&Kern AK T5p 2nd Generation is a very special headphone cable – an 8 conductor wire
of awesome sound. It’s made with 4N pure silver with silver plated 7N OCC to deliver the high in this combination; and the 7N OCC to bring the low.
This hybrid construction of pure silver, silver OCC and OCC litz creates a unique harmony and is the finishing
touch to the AK T5p’s excellence. No more sharp highs or too much bass: bring perfect balance to your music with this unique cable.
Handcrafted and Made in Germany
With our premium products, we satisfy every wish of the hi-fi superclass. The headphones, which are manufactured by hand in Germany, satisfy the highest standards. From exceptionally precise sound, which ensures individual music pleasure, to the utilization of the highest quality materials to provide incomparable comfort, our headphones offer the optimal listening experience.
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