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The 8 Best AKG Headphones for Any Budget [2023 Guide]

Max McAllister

So you’re looking for a new pair of headphones…you’ve come to the right place. Shopping around can be overwhelming with how many companies are making top-notch stuff. If you’ve narrowed your search to AKG headphones, this list should help you make a decision based on your individual needs.

AKG Headphones Set the Standard for Studio Quality Cans

From its founding 1947 until the present day, AKG has been a major player in music and pro audio. Their microphones made their way to radio stations within months of the company’s opening; at the time, these were handmade by five workers!

Just a couple years later, in 1949, AKG started making its first headphones. Needless to say, they know a thing or two about studio reference headphones with 75 years of experience and a longstanding reputation as one of the finest pro audio manufacturers in the world.

The 8 Best AKG Headphones for Any Budget

AKG has an incredibly diverse range of headphones. There’s something for every need and budget, from studio reference to consumer wireless headphones. Take your pick from the eight best AKG headphones for any budget.

Best Overall: AKG K240 Studio Headphones

The AKG K240s have been a studio staple for years. These affordable semi-open headphones offer exceptional sound quality for tracking, mixing, mastering, and listening for fun. They make a great entry-level pair for those first getting into pro audio based on their price, but they also have the quality to back them up.

With a semi-open design, the K240s are a “best of both worlds” type of headphone; you get some of the isolation that closed ‘phones offer, with some of the huge soundstage open designs offer.

Best Noise-Canceling: AKG N60NC Headphones

The N60s won CNET’s title as the best on-ear noise-canceling headphones in 2016. Optimized for traveling, these ‘phones utilize active noise-canceling technology so you stay immersed in the music and undistracted by the world around you—perfect for planes and trains.

Active noise-canceling has a battery life of 30 hours, and even when that dies, you can continue listening in passive mode. The N60s also fold up neatly to pack into carry-on luggage.

Best Wireless: AKG Y50BT Headphones

We live in a wireless world. When you’re on the move, the last thing you want is a tangled mess of wires getting in your way. The Y50s with Bluetooth capture signature AKG sound with true wireless capability to sync up to your mobile device for calls and music. Over 20 hours of battery life is more than enough for at least a few days of wear between charges.

Best Sound Quality: K240 MKII AKG Headphones

The K240 MKIIs carry on the legacy of their predecessor, the K240 Studios. Admittedly, and perhaps disappointingly, the MKIIs aren’t really an update in the strictest sense. In fact, they share the exact same sound quality as the less expensive, 30-year-old Studios.

However, these come with optional velvet or leatherette ear cups for a step up in comfort, as well as two different cable lengths and styles for more versatility. Sound quality is just as clear and brilliant as the originals, making it one of the best, most reliable AKG headphones around.

Best Budget Headphones: AKG K72 Headphones

It doesn’t get much more impressive than a sub-$60 pair of closed-back studio headphones with the K72’s. The generous 40mm drivers offer plenty of low-end for bass-heavy music, and the nuanced highs still manage to reveal all the detail you’d want from the guitars, vocals, and acoustic instruments.

Best High-End AKG Headphones: AKG K812 Headphones

Here we have an exceptional set of superior reference headphones. The K812 open-back headphones feature massive 53mm drivers for a ridiculous frequency response of 5 Hz to 54 kHz—well beyond what we can hear, but the extension is meant to reveal the tiniest, most nuanced elements of any mix or master. For the most accurate, natural sound with no budget, you can’t go wrong with these premium headphones.

Best Frequency Range: AKG K92 Headphones

K92s provide a very balanced frequency response at a very affordable price. These are closed-back headphones that are fine for mixing, mastering, and critical listening applications thanks to how the headphones represent the frequency spectrum. You’ll find  ample low-end and a natural sounding midrange with detailed highs for digging into the heart of a mix.

Best for Critical Listening & Mixing: AKG K701 Headphones

And finally, we have the AKG K701: premium, reference-class, open-back headphones. What you get is outstanding imaging and accurate sound representation, which is perfect for either mixers who prefer a holistic approach or those who get extremely analytical. AKG is the first company to use flat-wire voice coil technology in their headphones for a super active transient response and unparalleled accuracy. You won’t find much better in this price range.

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