Short answer: the AKG K371. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#39 and #55 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the AKG K371 costs $179 against $199.95 for the Sennheiser HD 25 Plus, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the AKG K371: A preference score of 85 with only 1.66 dB of deviation makes it one of the smoother closed-back models, and sub-bass runs about 1.6 dB above target for a full, extended low end. The catch: A 7 dB dip near 3.9 kHz and presence about 2.6 dB low push vocals and instrument detail back, while air above 10 kHz is roughly 3.5 dB low, so the sound is dark and lacks sparkle.
What the Sennheiser HD 25 Plus does well: A preference score of 83 in crinacle’s measurement is excellent for a closed-back headphone, and a slightly warm tilt of minus 0.28 suits listeners who like a smooth, full sound. The tradeoff: It is a wired design with no wireless or ANC features.
Buy the AKG K371. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20.95 less than the Sennheiser HD 25 Plus.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K371 | Sennheiser HD 25 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #39 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #55 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 83 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.66 dB standard deviation | 2.15 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.57 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.1 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 114 dB SPL/V | - |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255 g) | 0.3 lbs (140 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 16Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- AKG K371 vs HIFIMAN Sundara
- Sennheiser HD 25 Plus vs HIFIMAN Deva Pro
- Sennheiser HD 25 Plus vs AKG K612 Pro
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 K371: $179.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 with only 1.66 dB of deviation makes it one of the smoother closed-back models, and sub-bass runs about 1.6 dB above target for a full, extended low end. At 32 ohms and 114 dB per volt it is easy to drive from a phone, and the closed design isolates reasonably well. The warm tilt suits listeners who want bass without harshness.
Cons: A 7 dB dip near 3.9 kHz and presence about 2.6 dB low push vocals and instrument detail back, while air above 10 kHz is roughly 3.5 dB low, so the sound is dark and lacks sparkle. Fans of a bright or highly detailed presentation will find it veiled.
Full AKG K371 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.66 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 114 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.57 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 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 | -2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 182 Hz | -2.3 dB | 1.23 |
| Peak | 4,038 Hz | +5.0 dB | 3.60 |
| Peak | 67 Hz | +3.1 dB | 1.41 |
| Peak | 1,066 Hz | -0.8 dB | 2.57 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,564 Hz | -1.6 dB | 3.89 |
| Peak | 4,232 Hz | +0.9 dB | 5.03 |
| Peak | 524 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.66 |
| Peak | 2,048 Hz | +0.5 dB | 4.67 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 25 Plus: $199.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 in crinacle’s measurement is excellent for a closed-back headphone, and a slightly warm tilt of minus 0.28 suits listeners who like a smooth, full sound. At 140 g it is very light, and 70 ohms is manageable for most sources. Its closed back keeps sound in and offers some isolation.
Cons: It is a wired design with no wireless or ANC features. It costs more than the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x at the same rating.
Full Sennheiser HD 25 Plus review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.15 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 16Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 70 ohms |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (140 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +6.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 89 Hz | -6.3 dB | 0.65 |
| Peak | 5,384 Hz | +4.8 dB | 1.87 |
| Peak | 347 Hz | +2.2 dB | 0.84 |
| Peak | 2,055 Hz | -1.5 dB | 0.79 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,635 Hz | -2.2 dB | 1.35 |
| Peak | 37 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.57 |
| Peak | 51 Hz | +1.1 dB | 5.00 |
| Peak | 6,437 Hz | +1.4 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons