AKG K702 vs AKG K612

Short answer: the AKG K702. It ranks #40 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $259.99; the AKG K612 ranks #73, rated 4.0/5, and costs $279, so there is little reason to consider the other one.

The case for the AKG K702: A preference score of 85 with a neutral to warm balance, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz essentially on target and low mids within 1 dB. The tradeoff: A 7.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz combined with a 4.3 dB peak near 5.6 kHz makes the treble uneven, so some sibilance and a slightly forward upper mid range are possible.

What the AKG K612 does well: A preference score of 81 in oratory1990’s measurement puts the K612 close to the response most listeners prefer, and a deviation of only about 2 dB around target means few bands stand out. The catch: Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 34 Hz, so the deepest rumble in electronic and film soundtracks is thin.

Buy the AKG K702. It is rated higher for sound quality than the AKG K612 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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• AKG K702 vs Sennheiser HD 650
• AKG K701 vs AKG K702
• AKG K702 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
• AKG K702 vs Sivga Oriole
• AKG K612 vs Sivga Luan

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The Two Headphones In Full

AKG K702: $259.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: A preference score of 85 with a neutral to warm balance, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz essentially on target and low mids within 1 dB. At 235 g it is a light open-back design, and the 62 ohm impedance with 105 dB per volt sensitivity runs from most sources. It rates the same as the AKG K701.

Cons: A 7.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz combined with a 4.3 dB peak near 5.6 kHz makes the treble uneven, so some sibilance and a slightly forward upper mid range are possible. Sub-bass is about 5 dB under target, limiting rumble. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.

Full AKG K702 review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.24 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 45mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	10Hz - 39.8kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	62 ohms
Sensitivity	105 dB SPL/V
Sub-bass Extension	Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	+0.10 (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	+7.1 dB	0.70
Peak	119 Hz	-2.7 dB	0.23
Peak	9,459 Hz	+3.2 dB	3.19
Peak	730 Hz	+3.2 dB	1.22
Peak	2,241 Hz	-3.5 dB	3.80
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-1.7 dB	0.70
Peak	3,721 Hz	+3.4 dB	2.02
Peak	5,483 Hz	-4.7 dB	4.79
Peak	2,633 Hz	-2.0 dB	5.29
Peak	56 Hz	-0.6 dB	2.62

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the AKG K702 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • AKG K702 vs Sennheiser HD 650
  • AKG K702 vs AKG K701
  • AKG K702 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
  • AKG K702 vs Sivga Oriole

AKG K612: $279.00 B&H Photo Video eBay

Pros: A preference score of 81 in oratory1990’s measurement puts the K612 close to the response most listeners prefer, and a deviation of only about 2 dB around target means few bands stand out. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits within 1 dB of target and the mids are nearly flat, so voices and instruments keep a natural balance. Neutral and bright listeners are the best match, and at 235 g it is a light open-back design.

Cons: Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 34 Hz, so the deepest rumble in electronic and film soundtracks is thin. A 5.2 dB dip near 9.4 kHz dulls cymbal shimmer slightly, while a 4.2 dB peak near 5.9 kHz can make some recordings edgy. At 120 ohms and 101 dB/V it needs more voltage than a phone comfortably supplies, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.

Full AKG K612 review and specifications →

Released	2013 (13 years ago)
Back	Open
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.06 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	12Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	120 ohms
Sensitivity	101 dB SPL/V
Sub-bass Extension	Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-6.7 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	+0.50 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.5 lbs (235 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	+6.1 dB	0.70
Peak	189 Hz	-1.7 dB	0.52
Peak	752 Hz	+2.6 dB	1.37
Peak	2,509 Hz	-2.5 dB	2.16
Peak	9,792 Hz	+2.0 dB	3.44
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-2.9 dB	0.70
Peak	5,824 Hz	-3.3 dB	5.79
Peak	4,131 Hz	+1.3 dB	3.22
Peak	68 Hz	-0.7 dB	2.89
Peak	86 Hz	+0.8 dB	5.22

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the AKG K612 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • AKG K612 vs Sivga Luan
  • AKG K612 vs Meze 105 Aer