Short answer: the AKG K271 MKII, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #198 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.5/5, at $198; the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M ranks #205, rated 2.0/5, and costs $199.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, and the Sennheiser HD 550, ranked #6 at $199.95, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The AKG K271 MKII is the better-sounding option. A closed-back studio design with 104 dB sensitivity at 55 ohms, so it plays loudly from a phone or laptop without an amp. The catch: 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.
What the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M does well: A closed back design that blocks outside noise better than an open back, with an 80 ohm load and 105 dB sensitivity that a phone or laptop can drive. The tradeoff: A deep 15.6 dB dip near 3.6 kHz and a presence band about 7 dB low push vocals and guitars back and make the sound muffled.
Buy the AKG K271 MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K271 MKII | Beyerdynamic DT 770 M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $198.00 | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #198 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #205 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 37 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.85 dB standard deviation | 4.83 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +1.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 168 Hz (-16.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 75 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 55 ohms | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/V | 105 dB |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Frequency Response | 16Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How AKG K271 MKII compares with other leading options:
- Sony WH-1000XM5 vs AKG K271 MKII
- Jabra Evolve 40 vs AKG K271 MKII
- AKG K271 MKII vs Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X
- AKG K271 MKII vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
- AKG K271 MKII vs Sennheiser HD 569
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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 |
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Beyerdynamic DT 770 M: $199.99 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A closed back design that blocks outside noise better than an open back, with an 80 ohm load and 105 dB sensitivity that a phone or laptop can drive. The bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the low mids sit slightly above target, which suits listeners who like a warm tone. It is rated higher than the Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z and Meze 99 Classics.
Cons: A deep 15.6 dB dip near 3.6 kHz and a presence band about 7 dB low push vocals and guitars back and make the sound muffled. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target at 75 Hz, so the deepest synth bass and kick drum rumble fade out. The AKG K271 MKII is rated higher for similar money.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 770 M review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2003 (22 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.83 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 37 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 75 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 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 | +7.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 91 Hz | -14.9 dB | 0.66 |
| Peak | 4,980 Hz | +5.4 dB | 0.84 |
| Peak | 75 Hz | +7.3 dB | 2.66 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.94 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,666 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.42 |
| Peak | 3,533 Hz | +4.7 dB | 2.91 |
| Peak | 8,793 Hz | +2.4 dB | 2.64 |
| Peak | 1,011 Hz | +1.5 dB | 1.03 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons