Short answer: the AKG K702. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#29 and #34 of 134 over-ear headphones), and the AKG K702 costs $259.99 against $329.80 for the Sennheiser HD 650, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
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 Sennheiser HD 650 does well: A preference score of 84 and a warm tilt of minus 0.27 give a relaxed, smooth sound, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz, mids and presence all within about 0.6 dB of target. The catch: Sub-bass is about 7 dB under target and the 6 to 10 kHz treble is nearly 5 dB low, with a 9 dB dip near 9.3 kHz, so cymbals and air sound dull and rumble is missing.
Buy the AKG K702. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $69.81 less than the Sennheiser HD 650.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K702 | Sennheiser HD 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.99 | $329.80 |
| Ranked | #29 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #34 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | 1 x 42mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 62 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB SPL/V | 103 dB SPL/V |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 39.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (235 g) | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to AKG K702:
- AKG K701 vs AKG K702
- AKG K702 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
- AKG K701 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 599
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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 |
| 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 |
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Sennheiser HD 650: $329.80 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 84 and a warm tilt of minus 0.27 give a relaxed, smooth sound, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz, mids and presence all within about 0.6 dB of target. The largest peak in the upper range is just 1.1 dB, so it avoids harshness on vocals and guitars. At 260 g it is fairly light, and it is a good match for listeners who like a warm tonality.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 7 dB under target and the 6 to 10 kHz treble is nearly 5 dB low, with a 9 dB dip near 9.3 kHz, so cymbals and air sound dull and rumble is missing. At 300 ohms it wants a dedicated headphone amp to reach its potential, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Sennheiser HD 650 review and specifications →
| Released | 2003 (23 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 42mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB SPL/V |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 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 | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,800 Hz | +5.1 dB | 1.42 |
| Peak | 118 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.50 |
| Peak | 37 Hz | +0.7 dB | 3.96 |
| Peak | 3,169 Hz | -1.7 dB | 3.89 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,227 Hz | -1.2 dB | 2.53 |
| Peak | 2,055 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.23 |
| Peak | 587 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 5,332 Hz | -1.1 dB | 5.75 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons