Short answer: the FiiO FT3. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#47 and #51 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the FiiO FT3 costs $219.99 against $249.99 for the AKG K701, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides 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.
What the FiiO FT3 does well: The FT3 scores 85 for preference in the median of five hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a 1.71 dB deviation from target and a warm tilt. The catch: At 350 ohms it needs a dedicated headphone amplifier to reach full volume and control.
Buy the FiiO FT3. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $30 less than the AKG K701.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K701 | FiiO FT3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.99 | $219.99 |
| Ranked | #51 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #47 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 84 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.14 dB standard deviation | 1.71 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.47 (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 (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 62 ohms | 350 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW | 105 dB/Vrms |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (235 g) | 0.9 lbs (391 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 39.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 7Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 60mm dynamic |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
FiiO FT3: $219.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The FT3 scores 85 for preference in the median of five hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a 1.71 dB deviation from target and a warm tilt. Bass runs about 1.4 dB above target and holds within 2 dB at 30 Hz, so the low end has real body for an open dynamic headphone. Its 60 mm driver suits listeners who like a warm or bassy tuning.
Cons: At 350 ohms it needs a dedicated headphone amplifier to reach full volume and control. A 5 dB dip near 6.3 kHz followed by a 6.5 dB peak near 10.7 kHz makes the treble uneven, so some cymbals sound recessed while others stand out. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full FiiO FT3 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.71 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 60mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 350 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (391 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons