When it comes to headphones, particularly studio monitoring headphones, AKG is a well-known brand that has been around for decades. AKG was founded in 1947 in Vienna, Austria, and has continued to provide excellent audio products ever since.
So, if you’re looking for headphones with a large soundstage, the AKG K702 vs K712 comparison will help you make the best decision.
These are over-ear headphones with open back cups that produce a wide range of sound, and they are wired for use with high-resolution music and an amplifier. In many ways, they scream professional headphones.
Let’s get right to it and meet the headphones.
Introducing The Headphones
Before we start comparing them, let me throw in a few words regarding both headphones.
The AKG K702
The AKG K 702 is an over-ear open-back headphone intended primarily for studio monitoring and critical listening.
What I enjoy about those headphones is the high level of craftsmanship and attractive appearance; the AKG K702 particularly impresses with its wearing comfort and good handling characteristics.
Furthermore, once studio users and hi-fi aficionados have added the K702 to their audiophile collection, it will be difficult for them to convert to another model due to the crystal-clear sound.
They were originally released at the end of 2008, and it appears that they will be around for a long time.
The AKG K712 Pro
The AKG K712 Pro, on the other hand, provides a pleasant and honest sound experience, with a well-balanced frequency response that allows for mixing and mastering purposes.
They are not just the most attractive of AKG’s 700 series headphones but also a flagship that many mix masters favor.
With the K712 PRO, AKG maintains its reputation for superior craftsmanship and design. The self-adjusting headband and single XLR connector are two popular features that make those headphones a threat to the competition.
AKG K702 vs. K712 Pro: Comparison
Now that we learned about both headphones, let’s compare them step by step, starting from the design.
Which is Superior in Terms of Design and Comfort?
The first thing to note is that both headphones are open-back models.
That is to say, they are made in such a way that sound can escape through the vents or perforations in the rear of the ear cups. This design produces a sound that is both natural and accurate.
They appear to be very similar at first glance, and you can immediately tell that they are both manufactured by AKG.
AKG chose a basic and unobtrusive design for the K702, which is all black with white accents on the earcups.
The K712 Pro, on the other hand, is more flamboyant and cooler in my opinion, thanks to the orange touch that AKG decided to include.
Both headphones are built in the same approach and appear to be very bulky, although they are actually quite light, weighing roughly 235 g. So yeah build quality is quite good.
Although the ear pads of the headphones are quite nicely padded, they do not fold or swivel, limiting their portability. To address this, and because it is a newer model, the AKG k7120 Pro comes with a carrying bag, whereas the AKG K702 does not.
On the other hand, the headband is entirely adjustable and can accommodate most head sizes.
Both headphones come with a detachable cable, which allows you to use other cables and prevent the cable from breaking when pulled. Yeah, the audio jack is there, obviously.
Despite being an older model, the AKG K702 includes a tangle-free cable, but the K7120 Pro does not.
In terms of design, picking a winner would be difficult because they are so similar, but I can’t lie, I really prefer the look of the K712 Pro; it has a great touch of aesthetic to it.
Sound Quality: How Do They Perform?
It’s ridiculous how similar their performances are; straight off the start, both headphones have the same impedance of 62 Ohm, frequency response range of 10Hz-40Khz, and even an identical sensitivity of 105 dB.
The main difference here could be that the AKG K702 emphasizes bass and sounds brighter, which is due to the nodiuym magnet, which is absent in the K712 Pro.
Neodymium magnets are lighter and more strong than ferrite magnets in headphones. They also have deeper bass and more distinct high notes.
The K702 does, however, have a tendency to sound harsh at times, but the K712 does not.
Overall, these headphones will provide you with a very expansive soundstage and amazing fidelity across the whole sound spectrum.
Both headphones have the same goal in mind: monitoring and mixing headphones and no background noise canceling.
They’ll be beneficial and fantastic if you can work with them in quiet environments with no ambient noise, but they might not deliver their full potential if you utilize them in noisy environments. Those are over ear headphones, don’t expect any kind of active noise canceling, that is basically what I want to say.
Closing Words: Which One Is The Best?
Now that we’ve reached the conclusion of this blog, it’s time to call it a day.
I tried to highlight the most significant differences in a straightforward manner without overcomplicating things, but it was difficult given that both headphones are nearly identical in terms of performance and design.
The design difference was that the K712 Pro looked a bit flashy and better while the K702 was the one that will suffice for those who like minimalistic designs. On the other hand, comfort is found in both headphones, there’s nothing groundbreaking about it but nothing at fault either.
When it comes to sound, the AKG K712 Pro is a versatile option for amateur and professional use, providing a neutral sound with a good quantity of lows, mids, and highs.
The AKG K702, on the other hand, has a bit more bass response and a far wider soundstage that sounds crisp and clean.
When it comes to price they both belong in the same spectrum which I assume would be the mid-range one with the AKG 712 Pro being the more expensive option.
So, in the end, I can only conclude that there is no winner.
Both headphones are excellent at what they do, and they are very similar to one another, differing only in minor details, so you can choose which one you think would best fit you.
What matters is that none of them are bad investments.
Further Reading
As this article is a full comparison, I would like to introduce to you some other things that I have compared, all related to headphones in general.
First thing first, you guys should know the differences between Shure SE425 and Shure SE215, or Sennheiser HD 600 vs. Sennheiser HD 650. Now, if you are in need of other comparisons, let me introduce to you some others. Lightspeed Zulu VS. Bose A20 is one to look at. If you are a fan of Skullcandy headphones, I would like to mention my article regarding the Ambient mode on Skullcandy headphones!
Audio Engineer
You’ll never find anyone more passionate about audio as me. I love to share my knowledge with others and help people find the right equipment for them.
