AKG Headphone Brand Overview

Few names are as synonymous with pro audio as AKG. Originally founded in Austria, AKG has a reputation for producing quality audio products, from speakers and headphones to professional studio microphones, representing 75 years of innovation. In today’s market, however, AKG is perhaps best known for its wide range of quality headphone offerings. From convenient, consumer wireless products to audiophile-centric studio cans, AKG offers a diverse range of headphones with something for just about everyone.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most notable or popular headphones currently under the AKG banner. To help refine your purchasing experience, we’ll consider several factors for each product, including use case and application scenarios, sonic quality, environment, comfort, and multi-use adaptability. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

K300 Series Headphones

Among AKG’s newest closed-back headphone offerings, the K300 series is the culmination of decades of innovation and practice. The K300 series are lightweight, foldable, and comfortable, and come in both wired and wireless Bluetooth® (BT 5) variations with microphones. Most of these models are tuned to the AKG Acoustic Reference Response Curve.

AKG K361

• Applications: Music production, podcasting, everyday listening

• Sonic Quality: Naturally balanced sound with wide frequency range

• Environment: Home studios and on the go

• Comfort: Plush ergonomic earcups, slow-retention oval foam pads, and lightweight frame

• Adaptability: Can be used for tracking instruments, field recording, and mixing

• Technical Highlights: 50mm drivers, OFC voice coils, 15 Hz to 28 kHz frequency response, fully foldable, swiveling, over-ear earcups

AKG K361-BT

• Applications: Everyday listening, gaming, and music on the go

• Sonic Quality: Same voicing as wired version, naturally balanced sound with wide frequency range

• Environment: Home theater, office, and commutes

• Comfort: Plush ergonomic earcups, slow-retention oval foam pads, lightweight frame, foldable, supports gesture control and includes built-in microphone

• Adaptability: Can be used for podcasting in a pinch

• Technical Highlights: 28-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity

AKG K371

• Applications: Mixing, tracking, music production, podcasting, and general listening

• Sonic Quality: AKG reference response curve, naturally balanced sound with extremely wide frequency range

• Environment: Home and pro studios, audiophile systems

• Comfort: Plush ergonomic earcups, slow-retention oval foam pads, and reinforced metal frame

• Adaptability: Can be used for on-the-go audio work and video editing

• Technical Highlights: 50mm drivers, titanium-coated voice coils, 5 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response, fully foldable, swiveling, over-ear earcups

AKG K371-BT

• Applications: Mixing, music production, podcasting, home theater, portable music listening

• Sonic Quality: Same voicing as wired version, AKG reference response curve, naturally balanced sound with extremely wide frequency range

• Environment: Home and pro studios, commutes/music on the go, and office spaces

• Comfort: Plush ergonomic earcups, slow-retention oval foam pads, reinforced metal frame, foldable, with gesture control and microphone

• Adaptability: With built-in optional mini-XLR connectivity, these headphones can be easily used for personal listening (wireless) or serious audio production (wired)

• Technical Highlights: 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity

More Closed-Back Headphones

Of course, AKG offers plenty more in the way of closed-back headphones beyond the new K300 series. Closed-back headphones are ideal choices for isolation during recording or mixing, as their earcup design prevents air or ambient sound from passing through the edge of the earcup.

This allows you to focus more on your mixes, as well as preventing reflections from leaking through to impact your sound or bothering those around you. Thus, whether mixing, tracking, or enjoying music on the go, closed-back headphones can still be an ideal choice.

AKG K72

• Applications: Rehearsals, studio monitoring/tracking, live stages, everyday listening

• Sonic Quality: Accurate response with extended low frequency for kicks and bass guitar

• Environment: Home studio, practice space, stage, and office

• Comfort: Light self-adjusting headband, breathable lightweight pads

• Adaptability: Low-impedance operation facilitates use with a wide range of playback devices, including studio gear and portable music players

• Technical Highlights: Low impedance, 16 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, 40mm drivers with high sensitivity

AKG K553 MKII

• Applications: Studio monitoring, mixing, and mastering

• Sonic Quality: Spacious, dimensional soundstage with precise sound reproduction and extended bass

• Environment: Sound-isolating, circumaural design ideal for studios and home use

• Comfort: Extra-large, replaceable leatherette earpads, slow-retention soft foam, 2D-axis fold-flat mechanism

• Adaptability: Can also be used for music on the go, office listening, and audiophile systems

• Technical Highlights: Advanced closed-back tech for noise isolation, open-back-like sound character, 50mm low-impedance drivers, 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, detachable single-sided cable

AKG K271 MKII

• Applications: Mixing, monitoring, and performance

• Sonic Quality: Wide and accurate frequency response, minimal headphone bleed and excellent noise isolation

• Environment: Studio or stage, any space that benefits from noise isolation

• Comfort: Self-adjusting headband, exchangeable leatherette and velvet earpads

• Adaptability: Includes 1/4" adapter for pro audio gear, can be used for gaming, home theater entertainment, and field recording

• Technical Highlights: Advanced closed-back tech for noise isolation, 16 Hz to 28 kHz frequency response, auto-mute function when removing headphones, gold-plated connector

Open and Semi-Open Back Headphones

For a more natural listening experience, open-back headphones are often the go-to option for engineers, musicians, and audiophiles alike. In open-back designs, earcup perforations allow a controlled amount of air and ambient sound both in and out of the headphones. This results in a less isolated sound that is more akin to a live, in-room performance.  Semi-open designs offer somewhat more isolation for a balance between comfort, sound character, and sound bleed, ideal for audiophile applications.

With open and semi-open headphone styles, you get an airy sonic quality, with a brighter, lighter frequency response, while also offering greater comfort during long sessions thanks to better air flow over closed backs. For most professional and critical listening applications (such as studio mixing or live audio), open-back headphones are the preferred choice. Remember that open-back, and even semi-open back, designs will let more sound out, making them more likely to disturb those around you.

AKG K240 MKII

• Applications: Audiophile, studio, and stage

• Sonic Quality: Detailed sound character with solid low end, precise midrange, and clear highs. Wide dynamic range and high max SPL

• Environment: Stages, home listening, and other environments where minor sound leakage is acceptable

• Comfort: Self-adjusting headband, leatherette and velvet earpads

• Adaptability: Can be used for gaming, music (at home), and mixing

• Technical Highlights: 30mm Varimotion drivers for crisp, detailed sound, semi-open, circumaural design, gold-plated connector, semi-open design for air with potent bass

AKG K612 PRO 

• Applications: Reference monitoring and mixing

• Sonic Quality: Spacious and airy, natural sound imaging, wide frequency response

• Environment: Professional studios and home studios

• Comfort: Self-adjusting headband, plush velour earpads, over-ear design, ideal for very long sessions

• Adaptability: Can be used for audiophile listening

• Technical Highlights: Aluminum arches and solid rivets, advanced open-back tech, gold-plated connector, detachable mini-XLR cable

AKG K712 PRO

• Applications: Precision monitoring, mixing, and mastering

• Sonic Quality: Reference-grade and extremely wide frequency response, airy and spacious, impressive low end

• Environment: Professional studios and home hi-fi audiophile environments

• Comfort: Genuine soft-leather headband and plush velour earpads

• Adaptability: Can be used for audiophile listening and general listening with excellent results

• Technical Highlights: Dual diaphragm, flat-wire voice coil, detachable mini-XLR cable, carefully selected transducers and accurate localization

And that should just about cover it! For more information about these AKG headphones, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out their detailed product pages. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.