Short answer: the Focal Clear Mg, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.5/5 for sound quality (#200 and #199 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Focal Clear Mg costs $1,197 against $1,999 for the AKG K872 Pro, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones; for better sound, the Dan Clark Audio E3 ranks #1 at $2,299.
Why pick the AKG K872 Pro: The closed back blocks outside noise and keeps sound from leaking, which suits studio tracking and shared rooms. Watch for: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement puts its tuning far from what most listeners prefer.
What the Focal Clear Mg does well: With a 55 ohm impedance and 104 dB/mW sensitivity, this open-back headphone gets loud from most sources without a dedicated amp. Watch for: In oratory1990’s measurement the presence and treble bands sit about 6.6 and 9.4 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, with a 13.6 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals lose clarity and cymbals sound muted.
Buy the Focal Clear Mg. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $802 less than the AKG K872 Pro.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K872 Pro | Focal Clear Mg | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.00 | $1,197.00 |
| Ranked | #199 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #200 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 48 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.16 dB standard deviation | 3.57 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.91 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.35 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 36 ohms | 55 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/V | 104 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (390 g) | 1 lbs (450 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 54kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to AKG K872 Pro:
- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs AKG K872 Pro
- Sennheiser HD 820 vs AKG K872 Pro
- AKG K872 Pro vs Fostex TH900
- Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Focal Clear Mg
- Audeze LCD-2 Classic vs Focal Clear Mg
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 K872 Pro: $1,999.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The closed back blocks outside noise and keeps sound from leaking, which suits studio tracking and shared rooms. With 36 ohms and 112 dB/V sensitivity it reaches high volume from a phone or laptop without a dedicated amp.
Cons: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement puts its tuning far from what most listeners prefer. At 390 g it is a heavy headphone, and the Sennheiser HD 820 is rated higher at a similar price.
Full AKG K872 Pro review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.16 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 54kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/V |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.91 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (390 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 140 Hz | -7.3 dB | 0.86 |
| Peak | 2,439 Hz | +6.8 dB | 2.79 |
| Peak | 49 Hz | +1.4 dB | 2.71 |
| Peak | 3,988 Hz | -2.5 dB | 2.58 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +6.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,235 Hz | +1.0 dB | 0.94 |
| Peak | 1,695 Hz | -2.0 dB | 4.20 |
| Peak | 5,057 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 996 Hz | -0.2 dB | 2.49 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Clear Mg: $1,197.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: With a 55 ohm impedance and 104 dB/mW sensitivity, this open-back headphone gets loud from most sources without a dedicated amp. Its warm tilt suits listeners who find bright headphones fatiguing, and it rates level with the Audeze LCD-2 Classic and Fostex TH900.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement the presence and treble bands sit about 6.6 and 9.4 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, with a 13.6 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals lose clarity and cymbals sound muted. Sub-bass is also about 5 dB shy below 60 Hz, and the open back leaks sound and lets outside noise in. The Sennheiser HD 820 rates slightly higher.
Full Focal Clear Mg review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.57 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 55 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.35 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (450 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.8 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 | +5.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,641 Hz | +6.3 dB | 1.17 |
| Peak | 1,198 Hz | -4.0 dB | 1.73 |
| Peak | 94 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.30 |
| Peak | 4,530 Hz | +5.5 dB | 3.15 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,223 Hz | +1.7 dB | 4.29 |
| Peak | 3,196 Hz | -1.7 dB | 3.02 |
| Peak | 7,343 Hz | +1.5 dB | 5.95 |
| Peak | 3,986 Hz | +1.4 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons