Short answer: the AKG K271 MKII, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.5/5 for sound quality (#198 and #196 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the AKG K271 MKII costs $198 against $223.38 for the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Sennheiser HD 550 instead, ranked #6 at $199.95.
The case for the AKG K271 MKII: A closed-back studio design with 104 dB sensitivity at 55 ohms, so it plays loudly from a phone or laptop without an amp. Watch for: Bass is thin, with sub-bass about 15 dB and the 60 to 200 Hz region about 8 dB under target, so music lacks weight and punch.
Why pick the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X: An open-back design with a 53 mm dynamic driver and a light 0.6 lbs (265 g) frame. Watch for: A preference score of 49 in crinacle’s measurement shows a response well away from the tuning most listeners prefer.
Buy the AKG K271 MKII. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $25.38 less than the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K271 MKII | Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $198.00 | $223.38 |
| Ranked | #198 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #196 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 49 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.85 dB standard deviation | 4.07 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +1.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.92 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 168 Hz (-16.4 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 55 ohms | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/V | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) | 0.6 lbs (265 g) |
| Frequency Response | 16Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X:
- Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 M
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X vs Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z
- AKG K271 MKII vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
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The Two Headphones In Full
AKG K271 MKII: $198.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A closed-back studio design with 104 dB sensitivity at 55 ohms, so it plays loudly from a phone or laptop without an amp. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz and the lower mids land almost exactly on the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement. A slightly bright tilt suits listeners who prefer a neutral to bright sound.
Cons: Bass is thin, with sub-bass about 15 dB and the 60 to 200 Hz region about 8 dB under target, so music lacks weight and punch. Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is down about 6 dB, with a 7.5 dB dip near 4 kHz that pulls vocals and guitars back. At 240 g with a preference score of 48, the Beats Studio3 Wireless is rated higher.
Full AKG K271 MKII review and specifications →
| Released | May 2008 (18 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.85 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 16Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 55 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 168 Hz (-16.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +1.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | 812 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 4,439 Hz | +8.0 dB | 1.08 |
| Peak | 145 Hz | +6.6 dB | 1.69 |
| Peak | 8,134 Hz | -4.5 dB | 0.99 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,771 Hz | -3.4 dB | 2.92 |
| Peak | 830 Hz | +3.3 dB | 2.86 |
| Peak | 2,453 Hz | +2.0 dB | 2.96 |
| Peak | 650 Hz | -2.9 dB | 5.06 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X: $223.38 Amazon eBay
Pros: An open-back design with a 53 mm dynamic driver and a light 265 g frame. At 38 ohms and 100 dB/mW it runs at full volume from a phone or laptop without a separate amplifier.
Cons: A preference score of 49 in crinacle’s measurement shows a response well away from the tuning most listeners prefer. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, so it suits quiet rooms only.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X review and specifications →
| Released | 2012 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.07 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.92 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | +6.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 163 Hz | -4.0 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 2,238 Hz | +9.3 dB | 1.11 |
| Peak | 8,192 Hz | +6.1 dB | 2.21 |
| Peak | 1,477 Hz | -7.5 dB | 0.91 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,587 Hz | +2.5 dB | 4.42 |
| Peak | 4,150 Hz | -3.0 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 55 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.39 |
| Peak | 78 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.45 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons