In this review, I’ll be taking a look at AKG’s K712 Pro open-back studio headphones. These aren’t often discussed in music gear forums and circles, and I’m curious to see why. Are they simply not worth discussing?
Final verdict
The AKG K712 Pro are criminally underrated, and it’s a shock to me that not many people talk about them.
They don’t overemphasize anything, and they sound incredibly mellow and smooth without ever feeling boring or losing clarity.
What I like
- Massive soundstage.
- Highly detailed.
- Comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Not cheap.
Why you should trust me
I’ve been producing and engineering for over 15 years.
During that time, I’ve had hands-on experience with a wide array of monitoring setups – from high-end monitors and studio headphones to crappy earbuds and repurposed car speakers.
I know how to stretch a budget, and I know when a piece of gear doesn’t perform up to its asking price.
This experience, along with years of problem-solving in a variety of recording environments, has taught me what gear is worth your investment – and what isn’t.
Sound quality 4.8
The K712 Pro have a reported frequency response of 10 Hz – 39.8 kHz. These headphones have an extremely relaxed sound signature and an excessively wide soundstage.
The bass isn’t overemphasized and is actually rather lean-sounding, but still has enough low-end rumble to satisfy most listeners. The high end is also incredibly smooth, sounding mellow while still retaining its clarity.
It might not be best suited for bass heavier genres like hip-hop, EDM, or indie pop but it holds its own in these scenarios. Where it shines the brightest is in more intricate applications – like film, gaming, jazz, etc.
Build and design 4.2
The AKG K712 Pro are fairly sturdy and robust in their design. The earcups are dense, and the headband is super flexible.
The flexible headband is good because it can definitely handle a lot more physical stress than your average set of cans, but the adjustable part is really intricate – indicating that these headphones might take a bit of a beating after some wear and tear.
Comfort 4.9
These are some of the most comfortable headphones we’ve ever tried here at Higher Hz. You can wear them all day and forget about it. Not much more to add here, they just feel fantastic.
The K712 Pro aren’t made for sport, and it shows in their design. They slip off the head fairly easily, but are stable enough for casual listening and monitoring.
Thankfully, the audio cable is detachable, and will disconnect if it gets snagged on any equipment in the studio.
Isolation 1.0
In terms of noise cancellation, the AKGs are abysmal – and rightfully so! Because they’re open back headphones, there’s no cancellation to offer under 1k, and they’re not much more effective in the upper registers either.
Accessories 4.9
The K712 Pro come with two audio cables, a soft carrying pouch, a 1/8 to 1/4-inch adapter, a manual, and of course, the headphones themselves.
This is more than enough to get you started with these, and in my opinion, this is the ideal setup that headphones should come with.
Compared to other headphones
Here are a few considerations before you settle upon the AKG K712 Pro headphones.
AKG K712 Pro vs K702
These headphones are practically identical despite some differences in their frequency responses. The K702 have a lot more bass and a lot more energy in the high end, while the K712 Pro are far more neutral.
The K712 Pro are better for mixing and mastering, and are worth the extra money.
AKG K712 Pro vs Sennheiser HD 660S
The K712 Pro perform much better, but you should consider buying an amp to drive them with to get the most out of their performance.
If you’d rather save the money, the HD 660S headphones are worth the exchange.
See Sennheiser HD 660S’ current price
AKG K712 Pro vs Sennheiser HD 650
Again, the AKGs are the clear winner in my opinion, but the HD 650 are still a decent alternative if your tastes find them more favorable.
See Sennheiser HD 650’s current price
Who are the AKG K712 Pro headphones best suited for?
The K712 Pro can be used for pretty much anything. They are some of the best headphones for mixing and mastering, perfect for casual listening, great for gaming and film, and the list goes on.
As open-back headphones they aren’t the best decision to do any tracking with, since the bleed of audio will probably ruin any good takes you had.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon
