By Alfred Siew

GIVEN the crummy nature of compressed MP3 songs and the noise on an MRT train, it is surprising how many iPod users demand good quality music on their headphones on their daily commutes to work.

The K430, easily foldable into a size that fits most bags, is the response from AKG, an Austrian company behind a slew of professional sound equipment as well as top-end consumer headphones.

This pair of mid-range ear muffs offer a wide frequency range from 12Hz to 28kHz, so it can handle a wide range of audio - from the hum of a bass guitar to the highs of a flute - like a pro.

This is no idle boast, as I found out after putting the "cans" over my ears.

The sound is lively and the headphones do not try too hard to enhance any part of a song so that it ends up either too hard or too muddy.

On Black Eyed Peas' Let's Get Retarded, for example, bass lovers will like that the drums kick up the beat.

There is also a fair bit of detail in the mid-range in terms of vocals and other instruments, which are distinct throughout the tracks in the album.

Another album I enjoyed with the device on my iPod was The Smiths' Meat is Murder: Morrissey's vocals are clearly matched by Johnny Marr's guitar work.

One double-edged sword though: the headphone's portability - and small size - is also its weakness.

Sound does not seem to extend well and you do not get a sense of musicians performing right in your presence.

Part of the reason could be because of its closed-back design, which may not allow sound to "escape".

This is good news for people standing next to you on a crowded train because your enjoyment will not invade their space.

But you may feel that the sound is somewhat trapped around your ears.

Other than that, there is not much to dislike about the muffs, which come with extras that commuters will appreciate.

A slider on the wire lets you turn down the volume with a quick touch, for example.

Plus, like the more expensive models from AKG, the K430 is comfy enough to wrap around your head for hours.

The ear cushions are small but clasp against your ears ever so softly while the band at the top has a soft rubber-like grip that does not press down on your head too much.

Final say

Worth an audition.

The K430s produces sound with much detail, though the audio sometimes feel too close to your ears instead of being in front of you.

This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.

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