Short answer: the AKG K702. It ranks #55 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $259.99 and is still sold new; the AKG K7XX ranks #340 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The AKG K702 is the better-sounding pick. 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. Watch for: 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 K7XX does well: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Buy the AKG K702. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the AKG K7XX is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K702 | AKG K7XX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.99 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #55 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #340 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation | 3.21 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.28 (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 (-3.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 62 ohms | 62 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB SPL/V | 105 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 39.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 39.8kHz |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (235 g) | 0.5 lbs (235 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How AKG K702 compares with other leading options:
- AKG K702 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- AKG K701 vs AKG K702
- AKG K702 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
- AKG K702 vs Sivga Oriole
- AKG K702 vs AKG K612
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The Two Headphones In Full
AKG K702: $259.99 Amazon $259.99 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
AKG K7XX Discontinued eBay
Pros: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Sub-bass is 3 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble. Treble sits about 3.5 dB low, so it sounds a little dark. A Harman score of 54 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.
Full AKG K7XX review and specifications →
| Released | 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.21 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 39.8kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 62 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (235 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 | +5.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 133 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 972 Hz | +4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,995 Hz | +5.4 dB | 2.15 |
| Peak | 2,137 Hz | -2.5 dB | 3.22 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,700 Hz | -2.6 dB | 5.09 |
| Peak | 128 Hz | +0.9 dB | 2.21 |
| Peak | 61 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.49 |
| Peak | 225 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.58 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons