Short answer: the AKG K240 Studio. It ranks #141 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $54.95; the HyperX Cloud Alpha ranks #148, rated 3.3/5, and costs $59.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the AKG K240 Studio: A preference score of 68 in oratory1990’s measurement puts it in the middle of the pack, with a fairly even tilt and bass within about 1.4 dB of target from 60 to 200 Hz. Watch for: Sub-bass from 20 to 60 Hz sits about 13.7 dB below target, so kick drums and synth bass lack rumble and weight.
What the HyperX Cloud Alpha does well: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits about 4 dB above the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, which gives kick drums and bass guitar extra weight for games and pop. Watch for: Treble is uneven, with a 4.6 dB peak near 8 kHz that can make cymbals and sibilants sharp and a 5.8 dB dip near 4 kHz that pulls vocals slightly back.
Buy the AKG K240 Studio. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HyperX Cloud Alpha and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K240 Studio | HyperX Cloud Alpha | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $54.95 | $59.99 |
| Ranked | #141 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #148 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.33 dB standard deviation | 2.80 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 84 Hz (-17.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Semi-open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 55 ohms | 65 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/V | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) | 0.7 lbs (298 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 13Hz - 27kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Related Headphone Comparisons
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- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs HyperX Cloud Alpha
- HyperX Cloud Alpha vs Sony WH-CH510
- Sennheiser HD 400 S vs HyperX Cloud Alpha
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The Two Headphones In Full
AKG K240 Studio: $54.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 68 in oratory1990’s measurement puts it in the middle of the pack, with a fairly even tilt and bass within about 1.4 dB of target from 60 to 200 Hz. At 55 ohms and 104 dB sensitivity it runs fine from a phone or laptop without a dedicated amp. The semi-open design weighs 240 g and suits critical listening at home, and it is rated higher than the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro and the Sony WH-CH510.
Cons: Sub-bass from 20 to 60 Hz sits about 13.7 dB below target, so kick drums and synth bass lack rumble and weight. A 6.2 dB dip near 3.6 kHz pulls back vocal presence and detail, while a 3.7 dB peak near 7 kHz can add a touch of edge to cymbals. The semi-open back leaks sound and offers little isolation, and there is no microphone.
Full AKG K240 Studio review and specifications →
| Back | Semi-open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.33 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 55 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 84 Hz (-17.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.30 (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 | +6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 204 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 4,207 Hz | +5.2 dB | 3.07 |
| Peak | 1,585 Hz | +5.4 dB | 3.15 |
| Peak | 75 Hz | +2.9 dB | 1.48 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,459 Hz | -2.3 dB | 2.56 |
| Peak | 5,428 Hz | +2.7 dB | 3.81 |
| Peak | 2,689 Hz | -1.7 dB | 4.63 |
| Peak | 9,322 Hz | -2.0 dB | 2.55 |
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HyperX Cloud Alpha: $59.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits about 4 dB above the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, which gives kick drums and bass guitar extra weight for games and pop. The closed 50mm driver at 98 dB sensitivity and 65 ohms runs easily from a phone or console controller, and the built-in microphone suits voice chat.
Cons: Treble is uneven, with a 4.6 dB peak near 8 kHz that can make cymbals and sibilants sharp and a 5.8 dB dip near 4 kHz that pulls vocals slightly back. Air above 10 kHz runs about 4 dB hot, adding a hint of fizz on top of the warm tilt.
Full HyperX Cloud Alpha review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.80 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz - 27kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 65 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (298 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 104 Hz | -5.9 dB | 0.23 |
| Peak | 733 Hz | +4.5 dB | 0.92 |
| Peak | 4,324 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 6,110 Hz | -3.0 dB | 3.21 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 41 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 159 Hz | +0.5 dB | 3.01 |
| Peak | 212 Hz | -0.5 dB | 3.66 |
| Peak | 1,964 Hz | +0.5 dB | 4.33 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons