Short answer: the RODE NTH-100. Both are rated 3.7/5 for sound quality (#105 and #108 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the RODE NTH-100 costs $129 against $149 for the AKG K240 MKII, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the AKG K240 MKII does well: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 75, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of the Harman target, so bass guitar and male vocals sound full without boom. The catch: Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 63 Hz and sits more than 14 dB down at 30 Hz, so kick drums, synth bass and film rumble lose their weight.
The case for the RODE NTH-100: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the low mids are lifted about 2 dB, giving a warm, full sound with body in voices and guitars. The catch: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3.4 dB under target, with a 5.6 dB dip near 7.8 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance sound muted.
Buy the RODE NTH-100. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20 less than the AKG K240 MKII.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K240 MKII | RODE NTH-100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.00 | $129.00 |
| Ranked | #108 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #105 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 76 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.93 dB standard deviation | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.80 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 63 Hz (-14.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Semi-open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 55 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/V | 110 dB/V |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) | 0.8 lbs (350 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
AKG K240 MKII: $149.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 75, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of the Harman target, so bass guitar and male vocals sound full without boom. A gentle 2.8 dB lift in the low mids gives voices and acoustic instruments a warm body, and the treble from 6 to 16 kHz stays within about 1 dB of target. At 240 g with a semi-open back, it suits warm and neutral listeners who want an airy presentation.
Cons: Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 63 Hz and sits more than 14 dB down at 30 Hz, so kick drums, synth bass and film rumble lose their weight. A 4.2 dB dip near 4.4 kHz followed by a 4.3 dB peak near 7 kHz makes the upper treble a little uneven, and the semi-open back leaks sound and blocks little outside noise. The Thinksound ov21 is rated higher and costs less.
Full AKG K240 MKII review and specifications →
| Released | 2008 (18 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Semi-open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.93 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 55 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 63 Hz (-14.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 180 Hz | -4.0 dB | 0.56 |
| Peak | 4,180 Hz | +5.6 dB | 3.17 |
| Peak | 1,605 Hz | +4.7 dB | 3.06 |
| Peak | 56 Hz | +1.5 dB | 1.88 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,807 Hz | -2.7 dB | 3.81 |
| Peak | 6,678 Hz | -2.4 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 3,488 Hz | +2.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 558 Hz | +1.5 dB | 6.00 |
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RODE NTH-100: $129.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the low mids are lifted about 2 dB, giving a warm, full sound with body in voices and guitars. The deviation of 2.1 dB is smooth, and 32 ohm impedance with high sensitivity runs from a laptop or audio interface. The closed back and 350 g weight suit studio and podcast monitoring.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3.4 dB under target, with a 5.6 dB dip near 7.8 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance sound muted. Sub-bass is about 3 dB light, so the lowest notes lack rumble. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x holds a higher rating for a lower price.
Full RODE NTH-100 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.80 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (350 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +13.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 52 Hz | -10.9 dB | 0.36 |
| Peak | 7,684 Hz | +4.2 dB | 1.34 |
| Peak | 1,613 Hz | +2.6 dB | 1.65 |
| Peak | 5,510 Hz | -2.7 dB | 2.80 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 411 Hz | -1.4 dB | 1.68 |
| Peak | 198 Hz | +1.1 dB | 1.96 |
| Peak | 3,013 Hz | -1.2 dB | 4.00 |
| Peak | 828 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.42 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons