Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 6XX. It ranks #70 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) 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 case for the AKG K7XX: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. Watch for: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The Sennheiser HD 6XX is the better-sounding choice. Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 84 with a 2.10 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: Sub-bass is 7.9 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 6XX. It is rated higher for sound quality; the AKG K7XX is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K7XX | Sennheiser HD 6XX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | - |
| Ranked | #340 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #70 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 62 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/Vrms | 103 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 39.8kHz | 10Hz - 41kHz |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (235 g) | 0.6 lbs (260g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.21 dB standard deviation | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 42mm dynamic |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sennheiser HD 6XX compares with other leading options:
- Sennheiser HD 560S vs Sennheiser HD 6XX
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 6XX
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 6XX
- HIFIMAN Sundara vs Sennheiser HD 6XX
- AKG K702 vs AKG K7XX
Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 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 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
Sennheiser HD 6XX eBay
Pros: Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 84 with a 2.10 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. It uses 1 x 42mm dynamic.
Cons: Sub-bass is 7.9 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble. Treble sits about 4.9 dB low, so it sounds a little dark.
Full Sennheiser HD 6XX review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2016 (9 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 |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260g) |
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