AKG K317

Part-way between the K311s and the K319s come AKG's K317s, high-end headphones with a lanyard for those who prefer to hang their MP3 player round their neck rather than sliding into a pocket.

Modern Design
The new V-shaped design that AKG has chosen for these headphones is pretty good, and it makes for a welcome change from the usual.  What makes it even better is that, unlike on the K309s for instance, the colours go well together: white, grey, and dark red look modern but classy at the same time.  The only disappointment is that the foam pads over the earbuds would have matched a lot better if they were in dark grey, rather than a light silver colour.

The lanyard is a welcome addition and well-designed.  You can adjust the size to fit, meaning you can avoid it rubbing during sport.  The loop for attaching your MP3 player or mobile phone is solid, and sealed with two metal clasps that screw together.  A complete set of accessories is included, with a semi-rigid case, an extension lead and an adaptor to turn a 3.5 mm jack into a 2.5 mm socket.

Excellent Sound Quality
Amongst the headphones we've tested, the K317s definitely make a good impression.  The bass is clear, without taking over (we could even have done with a little more, actually), and there are great mid-range sounds and well-defined treble.

It's certainly not the best sound we've ever heard, but the response is linear and well-balanced, with no dominance anywhere.  The K317s might not be the best of the best, but they're well thought-out with a decent package of accessories.