AKG K553 Review: Ranked #272 of 417

Last updated: October 13, 2026

The AKG K553 ranks #272 out of 417 total Over-Ear Headphones for sound quality. See all Headphones rankings for every top pick.

Brand: AKG

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AKG K553 - ranked #272 of 417 Over-Ear Headphones · Editor's rating 3.2/5

#272 AKG K553 eBay

Pros: Bass is lifted about 3.7 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight. Lower mids sit within about 0.8 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. It uses 1 x 50mm dynamic with an easy 32 ohm load.

Cons: A Harman score of 64 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.

Released2014 (12 years ago)
BackClosed
ConnectionWired
Deviation From Target2.49 dB standard deviation
Driver TypeDynamic
Drivers1 x 50mm dynamic
Form FactorOver-ear
Frequency Response12Hz - 28kHz
Harman Preference Score64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance32 ohms
Sensitivity114 dB/Vrms
Sub-bass ExtensionWithin 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.4 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt-1.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight0.7 lbs (305 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.

FilterFrequencyGainQ
Low shelf105 Hz-4.0 dB0.70
Peak133 Hz-4.8 dB0.80
Peak3,809 Hz+5.2 dB3.75
Peak65 Hz+4.2 dB1.04
Peak1,748 Hz+2.1 dB1.27
High shelf10,000 Hz-1.0 dB0.70
Peak636 Hz+1.2 dB1.57
Peak309 Hz-0.8 dB1.88
Peak5,322 Hz-3.0 dB6.00
Peak4,582 Hz+1.8 dB6.00

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