AKG Headphones - EO-IG955 (Samsung Galaxy S8 Phone)

Review of AKG Headphones Model EO-IG955

I recently scored a pair of AKG Headphones Model EO-IG955, which come with the Samsung Galaxy S8+ phone. A friend who knows I love headphones generously gave them to me. Here’s my take on these earbuds.

Basic Features

These headphones are a nice pair to receive for free, and while it's challenging to find detailed specs online, here’s what I gathered:

• In-Line Microphone: Yes
• Volume Control: Up/Down
• Pause/Resume Functionality: Yes
• Cabling: Braided cloth until the earbud split, transitioning to rubber. The braided design helps reduce tangling, although a full braided cable would have been ideal.

Sound Quality

In terms of sound quality, they compare favorably to Apple Earbuds, with a slight advantage in the upper mids and bass. Here are some specifics:

• Fit: The flex tips provide a secure fit without being overly intrusive, unlike my Klipsch R6i.
• Bass: The R6i's offer a bass-heavy tuning that outperforms the AKG's, but the AKG's have a slightly wider soundstage, making certain tracks feel more open.

Noise Isolation

• Performance: The AKG earbuds offer better noise isolation than Apple Earbuds but fall short compared to the R6i’s. None of these options are noise-canceling.
• Use Cases: I prefer using Apple Earbuds or Klipsch R6i for plane trips, but the AKG’s are great for around town and in the office.

Build Quality

• Overall Quality: The build quality is quite nice. While these are not $20 headphones, they retail for $99 on Samsung’s store.
• Value Assessment: I’d rate them closer to a $20–$30 value based on the range of excellent earbuds available for $99. They serve as a solid introduction to decent headphones.

Closing Thoughts

These are the first AKG headphones I've tried, and they’ve sparked my interest in possibly getting the AKG K240 semi-open cans. However, I have quite a few headphones already and should limit myself to one more 'super' pair, such as Fostex, Ultrasone, Beyerdynamic, or Stax.

In summary, the AKG EO-IG955 headphones are cool if you can get them for free. They’re decent for under $20, but that’s about their max value.

Update (8/9/20)

I'm still using the AKG earbuds, although the rubber housing has begun to disintegrate, they still work fine. I’ve noticed many of these are listed on eBay for $3–$5, raising questions about their authenticity. This may be due to the shift away from 3.5mm jacks in favor of USB-C or Lightning ports.