For the past few years or so, I’ve spent a lot of my time reviewing wireless Bluetooth headphones. In fact, these days it’s a rare occurrence for a pair of wired headphones to find their way to me for review. The absence of tethered headphones is largely down to the massive popularity of wireless headphones in recent years and because so many smartphones no longer feature a headphone socket.
However, despite the popularity of wireless headphones, there’s still a need for wired headphones, especially for use in music studios, at mixing desks, as well as for podcasting and broadcasting. In fact, nothing beats a good pair of wired headphones when it comes to sound quality, plus there’s no need to keep them charged. The downside is the cable that keeps the listener tethered to whatever device is producing the sound, but that needn’t be a problem, particularly with the pair I’m reviewing here.
A pair of AKG K371 wired headphones turned up for review alongside the excellent AKG Lyra USB microphone that I reviewed recently. The AKG K371 are a budget pair of professional studio headphones that are ideally suited for sound engineers, musicians, podcasters, or simply for making Skype or FaceTime calls. They are also excellent for listening to music on a smartphone or DAP (digital audio player).
Compared to most other wired headphones on the market, the AKG K371s have a few special features that mark them out for professional use and make them a little different. The first feature is the use of a Mini-XLR connector to secure the cable to the headphones. The connection is to the left ear-cup, which is preferable to cables going to both ear-cups, which can get in the way, especially in a studio environment. AKG generously bundles three sets of cables with these headphones, and all three are terminated with a 3.5 mm stereo jack. One cable is just 1.2 m in length and deliberately short for use with a smartphone and DAP. The second cable measures 3 m and is designed for listening to a “proper” Hi-Fi system. The third cable is also 3 m long and is a combination of a straight cable and a curly section near the ear-cup and is perfect for sound engineers who need to move up and down a long studio mixing desk without tripping over their headphone cable.
The curly section of the third cable is perfect for stretching from one end of a mixing desk to the other when moving on a wheeled chair without the cable getting in the way. All three cables use a high-quality Mini-XLR connector which ensures a secure fit thanks to a small locking pin that keeps the cable connected securely. A gold-plated 6.3mm converter plug is provided in the box which can be used for plugging the headphones into an amplifier that has a full-sized headphone output.
The K371s are a sturdy construction with earcups that can fold upwards to make the headphones easier to stow away in the drawstring carrying bag that’s also supplied in the box. Unlike hinged and folding headphones, these don’t creak with every movement of the listeners head and there’s plenty of adjustment available to fit all sizes of heads. The ear-cushions are super soft with an elongated oval shape that covers the listener’s ears completely and creates an excellent acoustic seal that cuts out as much external noise as possible. The headband is also padded with memory foam and covered in the same soft neoprene material as the ear-cushions. Both the ear-cushions and the headband feel delightfully cool against the skin and are resistant to sweating, staying cool even when worn for long period.
Over the years I’ve used quite a few pairs of headphones in both broadcast and recording studios. Many studios tend to standardize on one model of headphones because they fit comfortably, are durable, or have interchangeable parts that can be cannibalized in an emergency, plus they must be able to fit a variety of head sizes. In the past, I’ve noticed that the BBC uses Sennheiser HD560, while commercial and recording studios seem to favor Beyerdynamic DT100s. Enthusiasts and sound engineers sometimes opt for Sony MDR 7506, with a curly extension cable, which is ideal for working at a mixing desk, while a lot of musicians and recording engineers seem to plump for AKG or Audio-Technica. Having listened to these AKG K371 headphones, I think I know why musicians and sound engineers like them.
Like all studio headphones, the K371 are a closed-back design that won’t leak sounds that could be picked up by a microphone. The fit of the earcups ensures a good acoustic seal without feeling as if your head has been placed in a clamp or vise. At 255 g, the headphones are light without being flimsy and they can certainly be worn for a whole day in the studio without feeling heavy or uncomfortable. Comfort is so important if you’re spending a long time mixing or recording music.
The dynamic drivers used in the K371 are impressively large at 50 mm diameter and are titanium-coated with a pure oxygen-free copper voice coils. Most headphones use 40 mm drivers, but these enlarged drivers from AKG mean the K371s have an extended frequency response running from 5 Hz, all the way up to 40 kHz, which is significantly wider than the usual 20 Hz to 20 kHz that many headphones offer. The result of this extended frequency means that the bass is far more relaxed and fulsome but without ever being fat or overblown. This means you can really hear and feel acoustic bass, electric bass and kick drums with great conviction and presence. The stereo imaging of the soundstage is wide and airy with plenty of room for individual instruments and vocals to breathe.
The mid-range sound of the K371 drivers is the real anchor point of the soundscape and the whole tone of these headphones is superbly neutral without adding any coloration at all. Meanwhile, the extended 40 kHz top end of the frequency range delivers a treble that’s incredibly detailed but in no way harsh or fatiguing. That’s very important when mixing and balancing sound because a pair of headphones with heavily colored sound can definitely tire a listener’s ears, which is something you really don’t want if you’re aiming for the best possible sound from a session mix.
Verdict: The AKG K371 headphones set the standard for affordable studio headphones. They are superb with probably the best-balanced sound I’ve heard in any pair of wired headphones almost at any price. I’ve reviewed plenty of high-end models, some with ridiculous price tags, and I’m fairly sure that the AKG K371 could hold their own with most of them, albeit without the ultra-deluxe finish. The fit of the K371 is comfortable and solid while the choice of three different cable types is excellent and makes these headphones so versatile. The Mini-XLR connector places these headphones in the professional studio category and I really prefer this connection method over the more usual 3.5mm headphone socket. At this price, the AKG K371 are genuinely hard to beat and they set the standard for affordable studio headphones that other manufacturers will have to follow. Oh... and they also sound pretty good hooked up to a smartphone.
Pricing: $149 / £99 / €116
More info: www.akg.com
Specifications:
- Headphone type: Closed-back
- Color: Gunmetal Black
- Drivers: 50 mm Dynamic, titanium-coated; pure OFC voice coil
- Sensitivity: 114 dB SPL/V
- Rated Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Audio frequency bandwidth: 5 - 40,000 Hz
- Net Weight: 255 grams (8.9 ounces)
- Detachable cable: Yes
- Cable Length: Coiled 3m, straight 3m, straight 1.2m
- Adapter: Yes, 3.5mm (1/8") to 6.5mm (1/4")
- Connector Type: Mini-XLR
- Over-ear: Yes
- Foldable: Yes