Short answer: the AKG K701. It ranks #51 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $249.99; the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b ranks #83, rated 3.9/5, at $249. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
What the AKG K701 does well: A preference score of 83 with a deviation of 2.14 dB shows a smooth response. Watch for: A 4.2 dB peak near 5.9 kHz can add some edge to vocals and sibilants.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b: A preference score of 80 in oratory1990’s measurement, with bass close to target from 60 to 200 Hz for punchy, even low end. The catch: Presence sits about 3.1 dB below target from 3 to 6 kHz and an 8.8 dB dip near 9.5 kHz takes the bite out of guitars and the shimmer off cymbals.
Buy the AKG K701. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $0.99 with the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K701 | Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.99 | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #51 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #83 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.14 dB standard deviation | 1.98 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 62 ohms | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (235 g) | 0.5 lbs (237 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 39.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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How AKG K701 compares with other leading options:
- HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth vs AKG K701
- AKG K701 vs AKG K702
- AKG K701 vs FiiO FT3
- AKG K701 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- AKG K701 vs Sivga Oriole
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 K701: $249.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 with a deviation of 2.14 dB shows a smooth response. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is about 1.6 dB above target and low mids about 2.3 dB above, giving warm, full vocals and bass guitar, while treble from 6 to 10 kHz lands within 0.2 dB of target. At 62 ohms and 105 dB/mW sensitivity it runs fine from most sources, and 235 g is light. It costs less than the AKG K702 at the same rating.
Cons: A 4.2 dB peak near 5.9 kHz can add some edge to vocals and sibilants. Sub-bass is about 3.5 dB under target, and the low mids may sound slightly thick on busy mixes. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full AKG K701 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.14 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 39.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 62 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (235 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 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 | +7.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 131 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.21 |
| Peak | 937 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.65 |
| Peak | 2,378 Hz | -3.3 dB | 2.56 |
| Peak | 3,536 Hz | +3.6 dB | 3.04 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,837 Hz | -2.9 dB | 5.42 |
| Peak | 55 Hz | -0.9 dB | 1.90 |
| Peak | 116 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.55 |
| Peak | 27 Hz | +0.7 dB | 3.27 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b: $249.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: A preference score of 80 in oratory1990’s measurement, with bass close to target from 60 to 200 Hz for punchy, even low end. At 101 dB/mW and 36 ohms it plays loud straight from a phone or laptop, and the closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out. At 237 g it is light for a full-size headphone.
Cons: Presence sits about 3.1 dB below target from 3 to 6 kHz and an 8.8 dB dip near 9.5 kHz takes the bite out of guitars and the shimmer off cymbals. Sub-bass falls about 3.5 dB under target below 60 Hz, so the deepest bass is lighter. The higher rated AKG K612 Pro costs less, though it is open back.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.98 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 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 | +13.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 56 Hz | -12.7 dB | 0.36 |
| Peak | 263 Hz | +5.4 dB | 1.17 |
| Peak | 1,421 Hz | -2.4 dB | 1.01 |
| Peak | 3,205 Hz | +4.3 dB | 1.79 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,071 Hz | +1.7 dB | 3.77 |
| Peak | 5,177 Hz | -1.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 513 Hz | +0.1 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 4,296 Hz | -0.6 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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