AKG
Amplifiers
Headphones
Best Known For
Headphones
/
Used Products
0
 Available
Average Price
$500
Brand Popularity
809
 of 900+
Products Listed
23
Review Count
121
Founding Year
1947
Headquarters
Austria
AKG
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What's unique about the brand

AKG pioneered several groundbreaking headphone technologies, including flat-wire voice coils and the Varimotion two-layer diaphragm. The brand also created the legendary C12 tube condenser microphone with its distinctive CK12 capsule and launched the first dynamic cardioid microphone in 1953, earning a Technical GRAMMY Award in 2010 for contributions to recording technology.

What reviewers are saying

We read all the reviews. Here's what reviewers feel most strongly about:

  • AKG studio headphones are frequently recognized for their wide and immersive soundstage, creating a great sense of depth and accurate placement .
  • The brand delivers a near-neutral sound profiles in its headphones, catering to the needs of audio professionals and critical listeners.
  • They often utilize a distinctive "hammock-style" self-adjusting headband that equally distributes weight, enhancing comfort for extended listening sessions.

Our favorite reviewer quotes:

  • "AKG has created a mini-masterpiece in my opinion. I enjoy this headphone a great deal and it will become my go-to reference headphone for the time being." (https://headfonics.com/akg-k712-pro-review)
  • "The K712 PRO is buttery smooth and soft on the low end with more quantity than the previous K-Series headphones in the past. AKG has done a great job and this headphone is a gorgeous testament to how well a headphone in the mid-tier price range can sound." (https://headfonics.com/akg-k712-pro-review)
  • "If you're the kind of listener who revels in unpicking fine detail and wants to examine every note in a recording, these AKGs are the ideal headphones for you. They're massively detailed and render the beginning and end of notes with class-leading clarity." (https://www.whathifi.com/akg/k701/review)
  • "At the price of £250, we can't think of a single pair of headphones that reveal as much musical detail, insight and control as these AKGs. For that reason, we've marked them up to a fully deserved five stars." (https://www.whathifi.com/akg/k701/review)
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Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From Julian's interview with
.

Products

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Lineup comparison

We think it's helpful to understand how their products compare. To learn more about each, scroll to the section above to click through to individual product pages.

AKG N5 HYBRID

  • Positioning: The entry-level true wireless earbuds designed for everyday portability and effective noise cancellation.  
  • Description: Features 10mm dynamic drivers with DLC-coated diaphragms, True Adaptive Noise Cancelling controlled by the AKG Headphones app, and immersive spatial audio that delivers clear call quality. Compared to higher-end models like the N9 Hybrid, these earbuds focus on affordability and ease of use while still offering Hi-Res sound for casual listening and light communication.

AKG K371-BT

  • Positioning: The mid-range wireless headphone that combines Bluetooth and wired connectivity for studio-style performance on the go.  
  • Description: Offers a closed-back, foldable design with a built-in microphone and dual connectivity options that cater to both mobile and desktop use. Compared to the N5 Hybrid earbuds, they provide a traditional headphone form factor with enhanced durability and sound isolation, though they deliver fewer advanced audio features than the immersive N9 Hybrid.

AKG N9 HYBRID

  • Positioning: The mid-tier over-ear headphone that integrates advanced noise cancelling and Hi-Res audio for extended listening.  
  • Description: With 40mm dynamic drivers using Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragms and customizable True Adaptive Noise Cancelling, these headphones offer detailed spatial audio and superior call quality. In contrast to the more compact N5 Hybrid earbuds, the N9 Hybrid is suited for longer sessions in noisy environments while still being more portable than the high-end reference models.

AKG K872

  • Positioning: The high-end reference closed-back headphone engineered for critical studio monitoring and mastering.  
  • Description: Uses 53mm transducers with a 1.5 Tesla magnet system and a two-layer voice coil within an optimized closed-back design to deliver authoritative low frequencies and accurate imaging. Compared to the N9 Hybrid, the K872 prioritizes maximum isolation and reference-grade fidelity for professional monitoring, while offering a robust, durable build for prolonged studio use.

AKG K812

  • Positioning: The flagship open-back reference headphone crafted for detailed mixing and high-end audio production.  
  • Description: Features the largest 53mm transducer ever built by AKG, a powerful 1.5 Tesla magnet system, and an ultra-lightweight two-layer voice coil, delivering pure, natural sound with exceptional spatial imaging. In contrast to the closed-back K872, the K812's open design provides an expansive soundstage and enhanced comfort.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer

Used

AKG

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Known For
Headphones
/
Average Price
$500
Used Products
0
 Available
Brand Popularity
810
 of 900+
Headquarters
Austria

About the brand

Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Known For
Headphones
/
Average Price
$500
Used Products
2
 Available
Brand Popularity
539
 of 900+
Headquarters
Germany

About the brand

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Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Known For
Headphones
/
Average Price
$500
Used Products
0
 Available
Brand Popularity
795
 of 900+
Headquarters
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About the brand

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Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Known For
Headphones
/
Average Price
$500
Used Products
7
 Available
Brand Popularity
38
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Headquarters
Germany

About the brand

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Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Known For
Headphones
/
Average Price
$500
Used Products
1
 Available
Brand Popularity
593
 of 900+
Headquarters
Japan

About the brand

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Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Known For
Headphones
/
Average Price
$500
Used Products
0
 Available
Brand Popularity
781
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Headquarters
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About the brand

Edifier, a hifi audio brand, horn-loaded ribbon tweeters to affordable active monitors through their Airpulse series. The brand achieved the first Hi-Res Audio certified true wireless earbuds with their NeoBuds Pro and in 2010 became China's first publicly listed audio speaker company.

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page