Short answer: a tie on sound quality, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.5/5 (#199 and #201 of 216 over-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($1,999 vs $1,999.99), so choose on features and fit. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Dan Clark Audio E3 instead, ranked #1 at $2,299.
What the AKG K872 Pro does well: The closed back blocks outside noise and keeps sound from leaking, which suits studio tracking and shared rooms. The tradeoff: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement puts its tuning far from what most listeners prefer.
Why pick the Fostex TH900: The closed back isolates well, and at 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW it plays loud from modest sources without a dedicated amp. The catch: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement places it well away from the Harman target, so most listeners will hear a strongly colored balance unless they apply EQ.
Buy the AKG K872 Pro or the Fostex TH900 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K872 Pro | Fostex TH900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.00 | $1,999.99 |
| Ranked | #199 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #201 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.16 dB standard deviation | 3.58 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.91 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 36 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/V | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (390 g) | 0.9 lbs (400 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 54kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
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 Focal Clear Mg
- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs Fostex TH900
- Sennheiser HD 820 vs Fostex TH900
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
Fostex TH900: $1,999.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The closed back isolates well, and at 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW it plays loud from modest sources without a dedicated amp. Its large 50 mm dynamic driver and warm leaning tuning suit listeners who prefer a rich, colored sound, and it matches the rating of the AKG K872 Pro.
Cons: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement places it well away from the Harman target, so most listeners will hear a strongly colored balance unless they apply EQ. The Sennheiser HD 820 rates higher at about the same price, and the 400 g weight is heavy for an over-ear.
Full Fostex TH900 review and specifications →
| Released | 2012 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.58 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (400 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.7 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 | -2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 185 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.55 |
| Peak | 2,463 Hz | +5.8 dB | 1.46 |
| Peak | 470 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.33 |
| Peak | 5,406 Hz | -8.1 dB | 4.49 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 982 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.27 |
| Peak | 6,874 Hz | +1.3 dB | 5.95 |
| Peak | 797 Hz | +1.1 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 1,561 Hz | +0.4 dB | 3.37 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons