Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#36 and #29 of 134 over-ear headphones), and the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x costs $169 against $259.99 for the AKG K702, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick 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 Audio-Technica ATH-R50x does well: A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target. The catch: Sub-bass is about 6 dB low under 60 Hz, so deep rumble is lacking.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $90.99 less than the AKG K702.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K702 | Audio-Technica ATH-R50x | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.99 | $169.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #36 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation | 1.67 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 62 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB SPL/V | 93.3 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 39.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (235 g) | 0.5 lbs (207 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to AKG K702:
- AKG K702 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- AKG K701 vs AKG K702
- AKG K701 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 569
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 650
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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 |
| 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
Audio-Technica ATH-R50x: $169.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target. At 50 ohms and 93.3 dB/mW sensitivity it can be driven by most portable sources, and at 207 g it is light. It costs less than the AKG K701 and AKG K702 while holding the same rating.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 6 dB low under 60 Hz, so deep rumble is lacking. Treble is slightly forward, with presence about 2 dB high, 6 to 10 kHz about 2.6 dB high and a 4.8 dB peak near 6.3 kHz, which can make vocals and cymbals bright. Its tilt of 0.64 leans bright, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-R50x review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.67 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 93.3 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (207 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 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 | +7.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 482 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.92 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.60 |
| Peak | 6,204 Hz | -3.3 dB | 1.70 |
| Peak | 38 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.60 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,497 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.40 |
| Peak | 851 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 4,628 Hz | +1.6 dB | 4.12 |
| Peak | 3,874 Hz | -2.5 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples