\n<\/strong>Headphones are transducers<\/em>: Just like speakers and microphones<\/a>, they convert one form of energy (electrical) into another (acoustic energy, or sound). They\u2019re essentially tiny loudspeakers that are based on the same type of driver assembly you\u2019d find in any standard-size speaker. All headphones operate on this basic principle, though their enclosure designs vary according to function.<\/p>\n
Over-Ear or On-Ear AKG\u2019s affordable K72 on-ear, closed-back model offers detail, clarity and long-wearing comfort, thanks to its soft, self-adjusting headband.<\/p><\/div>\n Over-ear<\/strong>, or circumaural, headphones, have large, cushioned earpads that are designed to completely surround your ears. Over-ear headphones tend to have a spacious sound and offer more natural imaging than on-ear styles, because their drivers are positioned farther away from the ears so more sound reflects off the outer ear, which replicates the way we hear sound coming from speakers. Over-ear headphones often feature the largest drivers for deep bass and extended high-frequency response and are available in both open-back and closed-back styles. Over-ear headphones are more comfortable to wear over extended periods than on-ear models, because their earpads surround the outer ear versus pressing directly on it.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for professional-grade headphones on a budget, AKG\u2019s affordable K72<\/strong><\/a> and K92<\/strong><\/a> over-ear, closed-back models offer detail, clarity and long-wearing comfort, thanks to their soft, self-adjusting headbands. For the most demanding critical-listening applications, such as mastering, AKG top-of-the-line K872<\/strong><\/a>s feature extra-large 53mm transducers and powerful 1.5 Tesla magnet systems to ensure greatest-in-class headroom and accurate imaging, with a stunning frequency range of 5 Hz\u201354 kHz.<\/p>\n AKG K175 on-ear headphones have large, 40mm diaphragms and closed backs for best-in-class frequency response and deep, rich low end; and they fold for portability.<\/p><\/div>\n On-ear<\/strong> headphones (sometimes called above-ear or supra-aural headphones) have earcups that, you guessed it, sit directly on the ear. These models tend to be lighter and more affordable than over-ear models, making them ideal for mobile lifestyles. AKG K175<\/strong><\/a> on-ear headphones have large, 40mm diaphragms and closed backs for best-in-class frequency response and deep, rich low end; and fold for portability. Because on-ear headphones fit by clamping force, comfort is an important consideration with on-ear models. (The K175s feature a three-axis hinge and self-adjusting headband to ensure a perfect fit.)<\/p>\n Open, Closed or Semi-Open Because of their sound-isolating qualities, closed-back headphones are ideal for tracking because performers can hear their mixes without worrying about sound bleeding into their mic; they\u2019re also great for monitoring and mixing without distractions in noisy environments. (They\u2019re ideal for recording podcasts and voiceovers, for the same reason.)<\/p>\n AKG K361 and K371 closed-back, over-ear models reproduce crisp, detailed audio across an ultra-wide frequency range thanks to their high-sensitivity, largest-in-class 50mm drivers.<\/p><\/div>\n Ideal headphones for critical listening include AKG K553 MkII<\/strong><\/a> and K361<\/strong><\/a> closed-back, over-ear models, which reproduce crisp, detailed audio across an ultra-wide frequency range thanks to their high-sensitivity, largest-in-class 50mm drivers. The K371<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s titanium drivers go even further, delivering an extended frequency response from 5 Hz to 40 kHz and matching AKG\u2019s Reference Response acoustic targets to reproduce natural, balanced audio exactly as intended.<\/p>\n Beyond studio uses, closed-back headphones are perfect for casual listening, listening at the office, and commuting. Because closed-back headphones tend to have pronounced bass response, they\u2019re favored by DJs.<\/p>\n AKG K701 and K702 open-back, over-ear headphones feature AKG\u2019s patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm, which delivers extended highs and an improved low end.<\/p><\/div>\n Open-back<\/strong> headphones have vented backs that allow air to pass through, letting sound in and out and improving airflow to provide what many consider a wide, airy soundstage. They offer a natural, spacious feeling that makes them ideal for critical listening, mixing and working with high-resolution audio files, but because they don\u2019t offer the isolation of closed-back models, they\u2019re best used in quiet, private situations where you won\u2019t be distracted by the sounds around you (or annoy others with the sound bleeding from them). AKG K245<\/strong><\/a> open-back, over-ear headphones feature 50mm transducers\u2014the largest in their class\u2014for greater low-frequency extension and crisp, detailed bass reproduction.\u00a0Other great choices include AKG K701<\/strong><\/a> and K702<\/strong><\/a> open-back, over-ear headphones, which feature AKG\u2019s patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm design for extended highs and an improved low end.<\/p>\n AKG K240 Studio semi-open, over-ear headphones are modern versions of AKG\u2019s iconic 1970s studio headphones.<\/p><\/div>\n Semi-open-back<\/strong> headphones fall somewhere between fully open and closed-back designs. Because the driver is not completely sealed, some air can pass through, which gives this style some of the attributes of an open-back headphone, such as a natural, realistic soundstage and extended frequency response, with less leakage than a true open-back design. Semi-open-back headphones are great choices for recording without open microphones, mixing, casual listening and listening at home. AKG K240 Studio<\/strong><\/a> semi-open, over-ear headphones are modern versions of AKG\u2019s iconic 1970s studio headphones; K240 MkII<\/strong><\/a> headphones feature upgraded ear pads and an additional cable.<\/p>\n AKG K361-BT and K371-BT feature built-in mics and audio playback and telephone call controls. Plus, it\u2019s a great idea to reference your mixes over Bluetooth to ensure they translate to any format.<\/p><\/div>\n Other Considerations In addition to large 50 mm transducers and a closed-back, over-ear design, the road-tough AKG K275 headphones feature rugged metal components for extra durability.<\/p><\/div>\n Comfort, Portability and Durability If portability is important, look for folding models such as the AKG K361<\/strong><\/a>, K371<\/strong><\/a> and K553 MkII<\/strong><\/a>, which feature 50mm drivers for precise, expanded frequency response and extra-soft earpads for comfort during long sessions. Look for sturdy hinges and other moving parts; AKG\u2019s road-tough K175<\/strong><\/a>, K245<\/strong><\/a> and K275<\/strong><\/a>, for example, feature rugged metal components for extra durability. Ideally, your headphones will have replaceable parts; it costs a lot less to replace earpads and cables than to buy new headphones.<\/p>\n UNDERSTANDING THE SPECS Frequency Response<\/strong>: This will tell you the range of sound your headphones are capable of producing. Although humans hear from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, most experts agree that we can sense sounds outside of that range, and products with a wider frequency response often perform better within that human hearing range. Headphone frequency-response curves are designed to be flat or \u201ccolored\u201d\u2014enhanced at certain frequencies to make them sound more appealing (for example, adding bass boost). Although sound is a matter of preference, neutral headphones will provide a much more accurate sonic translation, which is crucial when evaluating mixes or other critical-listening scenarios.<\/p>\n AKG’s flagship K872 headphones feature extra-large 53mm transducers and powerful 1.5 Tesla magnet systems to ensure greatest-in-class headroom and accurate imaging, with a stunning frequency range of 5 Hz\u201354 kHz.<\/p><\/div>\n Impedance<\/strong>: When electric current flows through a circuit, it encounters resistance, which is defined as impedance, expressed in ohms (\u03a9). The lower a headphone\u2019s impedance, the less power it needs to deliver high audio levels. For maximum power transfer, headphone impedance should match source output impedance, though power loss in unmatched gear is common and isn\u2019t necessarily a deal breaker. (A headphone amplifier<\/a> is one way to overcome the effect of unmatched impedances.) In general, studio headphones have high impedance (which allows multiple units to be powered by a splitter or amplifier for, say, a band session); low-impedance headphones (below around 50 ohms) work well with phones and other devices that output low voltage and current.<\/p>\n Sensitivity<\/strong>: Headphone sensitivity, usually expressed in decibels,\u00a0measures how efficient a headphone\u2019s drivers are at turning an electrical signal into sound. In other words, it tells you how much volume headphones will produce from a given amount of power. Everything else being equal, headphones with higher sensitivity will produce louder sounds than headphones with lower sensitivity.<\/p>\n THE FINAL VERDICT Then, it\u2019s just a matter of researching your options and taking the finalists for a spin. (With free shipping and returns from AKG.com<\/a>, we make that easy.) Pretty soon, you\u2019ll be unveiling more detail in your music, making better mix decisions and getting lost in that amazing sound.<\/p>\n
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\nClosed-back<\/strong> headphones have earcups that are completely sealed at their back (outward-facing) sides. This design offers the most acoustic isolation\u2014both preventing sounds from leaking out and blocking ambient noise from leaking in.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/AKG_K361_K371_LifestylePhoto_Podcasting2_FLAT-1-1.png\")
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\nBluetooth
\n<\/strong>Bluetooth technology has made great strides<\/a> in recent years, and today\u2019s premium Bluetooth headphones offer sound quality nearly indistinguishable from their wired versions. Low latency and the ability to stream high-res audio files mean you no longer have to sacrifice convenience for performance. For the multitaskers out there, some Bluetooth headphones, such as the AKG K361-BT<\/strong><\/a> and K371-BT<\/strong><\/a>, feature built-in mics and audio playback and telephone call controls. It\u2019s a great idea to reference your mixes over Bluetooth to ensure they translate to any format. You\u2019ll want to keep an eye on battery life; but just about every pair ships with cables, to ensure you can keep on listening.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/AKG_K175-245-275_NowAvailable_Banners_1398x1398-1.png\")
\n<\/strong>Certainly, sound quality is your top consideration. When you\u2019re trying on headphones, think about how they sound, and also how they feel\u2014after all, you\u2019ll be wearing them every day. Weight is a factor in comfort; larger, more durable headphones tend to be heavier than lightweight, flimsy models. Look for models that are light for their size, with cushioned earcups. (Some people find that oval headphones, such as the AKG K361<\/strong><\/a> and K371<\/strong><\/a>, provide a more comfortable fit than round models; this is purely personal preference.)<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Like any audio gear, headphones can be defined by specs\u2014but you should never rely on specs alone to judge quality. Although some specs can be helpful, taking them out of content can be confusing. That said, here are a few important specs to watch:<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/AKG_K872_ProductPhoto_Lifestyle_1414-1-1.png\")
\n<\/strong>At the end of the day, headphone choice is entirely subjective. Sound quality aside, the most important consideration is how you\u2019ll be using the headphones. Spend some time thinking about the ways you make music and learn which styles are best for those scenarios. (With so many styles available, you might even consider getting a few pairs for different uses.)<\/p>\n
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