AKG Pro Audio K712 Pro Over-Ear Open-Back

I have only had for a few weeks so little burn in time. They are playing classical music very well with excellent soundstage (an AKG quality) and neutral and uncoloured response without exaggerated base - ideal for this type of music. The pads are very comfortable though quite large and a little loose - out of interest I might look at aftermarket replacement pads though no real concerns about the pads as they are. the headband is a little stiff intially though now very comfortable (a vast improvement on the older AKGs!). The headphone is light and though predominantly plastic looks stylish and seems robust. I like the orange accents and the orange cable. The cable inserts into a very stable XLR 3 pin connector and is secure. I have several headphones (Focal, ... MoreI have only had for a few weeks so little burn in time. They are playing classical music very well with excellent soundstage (an AKG quality) and neutral and uncoloured response without exaggerated base - ideal for this type of music. The pads are very comfortable though quite large and a little loose - out of interest I might look at aftermarket replacement pads though no real concerns about the pads as they are. the headband is a little stiff intially though now very comfortable (a vast improvement on the older AKGs!). The headphone is light and though predominantly plastic looks stylish and seems robust. I like the orange accents and the orange cable. The cable inserts into a very stable XLR 3 pin connector and is secure. I have several headphones (Focal, Beyerdynamic, Meze and Audioquest) and I rank the AKGs as good as any of these and less fatiguing and with a more neutral signature than some - probably closest in terms of sound is the Beyerdynamic DT880 or Amiron). They are open ear so no sound isolation of course though this is the price paid for such airy sound. I can't speak for other music types however they will not disappoint unless you need extended and upfront base. The service and price from Manny's was excellent too!

Comfort and accuracy

I had an older version of very much loved AKG reference headphones from the early '90s that were destroyed by my son... after many years of service, many of the plastic elements were held by mini bulldog clamps so good timing for an upgrade, thanks, son!After listening to a lot of alternatives, many costlier, (although for the listening pleasure I have put cost on a low priority criteria scale) the K712 PRO was the right choice: better sound than my previous ones and still the same neutral yet accurate and true experience for my mostly classical and jazz listening. Paired with a SHIIT Bifrost DAC and Valhalla tube amp stack, every instrument is clearly distinct and spatially identifiable. You feel you are in the space with the musicians, be it in a studio or ... MoreI had an older version of very much loved AKG reference headphones from the early '90s that were destroyed by my son... after many years of service, many of the plastic elements were held by mini bulldog clamps so good timing for an upgrade, thanks, son!After listening to a lot of alternatives, many costlier, (although for the listening pleasure I have put cost on a low priority criteria scale) the K712 PRO was the right choice: better sound than my previous ones and still the same neutral yet accurate and true experience for my mostly classical and jazz listening. Paired with a SHIIT Bifrost DAC and Valhalla tube amp stack, every instrument is clearly distinct and spatially identifiable. You feel you are in the space with the musicians, be it in a studio or concert hall.Also own a Grado PS500e - a warmer experience perhaps that I enjoy with a more "mobile" red Dragonfly DAC/Amp when working, but I find the AKG's neutrality better for the orchestral music I often listen to. And the comfort fit bears no comparison between them: I can wear the AKGs for hours - not so for the GradosThe open back was a must for me as I usually don't like (or need) to feel isolated. In the rare condition I need to withdraw from the surroundings I reluctantly use a Meze 99 classic walnut pair that match the comfort of the AKGs with an enjoyable sound stage but not close in accuracy to my preferred cans.Minor detail: I replaced the velvet cushions with fabric covered AKG ones. Found the sound stage to be even more detailed.The only criticism I would have is the elastic threads holding the headband. After a few years they show signs of fatigue and I don't know how easy it is to replace them. Not a big concern as the excellent comfort does not appear to be affected.Headphone choice is a personal affair. Every ear is different, everyone's sound processing, taste and pleasure seeking is different. The K712 PRO are perfect for me.

Crisp, Beautiful Sound

After about a 15 hour burn in period, these headphones are amazing. Crisp, clear sound. Bass is deep without excessive boominess. If you like jazz or vocal heavy music, these headphones rock. Sound is clear and distinct. Soundstage is very good as as is imaging. The longer they have burned in, the more I have grown fond of these. I can say I am an AKG fan.

Great sound quality, poor build quality.

Sound quality alone I would say 4 stars, but build quality really lets it down.They are very comfortable physically and audibly, which is great, but I believe they will break down easily.I purchased these many years ago and had an issue with the mini XLR port (for the removable cable) out of the box. The port was just not in the headphone chassis anymore. I got it replaced immediately and continued using for years, very pleased with the audio quality. The issue with the headphone port repeated on the replacement some years later.The port is glued into place on the chassis, not firmly manufactured into the headphones.The glue seems to have dried up and the weight of the cable pulled out the entire mini-XLR port over time, splitting two of the three internal ... MoreSound quality alone I would say 4 stars, but build quality really lets it down.They are very comfortable physically and audibly, which is great, but I believe they will break down easily.I purchased these many years ago and had an issue with the mini XLR port (for the removable cable) out of the box. The port was just not in the headphone chassis anymore. I got it replaced immediately and continued using for years, very pleased with the audio quality. The issue with the headphone port repeated on the replacement some years later.The port is glued into place on the chassis, not firmly manufactured into the headphones.The glue seems to have dried up and the weight of the cable pulled out the entire mini-XLR port over time, splitting two of the three internal wires for the mini XLR pins. The headphone cable is very long, so it is possible something may have tugged it from the headphones, but I couldn't say i noticed any resistance on my head; rather I put them on and one side just wasn't working anymore. The internal wiring was too short for me to pull it out the port area and solder back on myself.Aside from this, the two orange rods feel very very flimsy. I would not want to put these in a backpack and take them anywhere for fear of putting my bag down somewhere too heavily, or having someone bump into me and snapping them. They are also very big, so not too portable anyway. The bleed makes them unfair for anyone around you, but that is expected with open back designs and feeds into the quality.I keep them indoors always at my desk due to the drawbacks mentioned above, which also feeds into their strengths as good comfortable studio headphones. Regardless of the precautions, they've still broke down twice without ever being put through any real stress.I will repair these, replace them, then probably just keep them lying around in case I need another set as a reference.

High Quality Reference Headphone

I'm a big fan of the AKG 700 series headphones. I also own the K701, K702 & Q701 all of which sound very similar. These K712's are an updated version with slightly fuller base but have the same sound signature. They are brutally honest and revealing. Well recorded albums from Miles Davies, Jack Johnston and Daft Punk for example sound amazing. However poor recordings sound bad as these headphones make no effort to hide such deficiencies. They also are quite insensitive despite having an impedance of only 62ohms and require a good headphone amp with low output impedance to sound their best. The soundstage is very wide which makes them great for gaming. The "attack" of these headphones are the sharpest I've ever heard which makes gunfire and explosions in games ... MoreI'm a big fan of the AKG 700 series headphones. I also own the K701, K702 & Q701 all of which sound very similar. These K712's are an updated version with slightly fuller base but have the same sound signature. They are brutally honest and revealing. Well recorded albums from Miles Davies, Jack Johnston and Daft Punk for example sound amazing. However poor recordings sound bad as these headphones make no effort to hide such deficiencies. They also are quite insensitive despite having an impedance of only 62ohms and require a good headphone amp with low output impedance to sound their best. The soundstage is very wide which makes them great for gaming. The "attack" of these headphones are the sharpest I've ever heard which makes gunfire and explosions in games particularly impressive. I highly recommend them.

Near Perfect

I've had many sets of headphones. Read about these ages ago and finally picked up a pair on sale. I must admit that for the price there is nothing comes remotely close. I've had several twice this price that don't come close. These are professional's pair of cans - they are remarkably light and flexible, the ear cups are huge with great feeling felt covering and soft memory foam. I can wear these all day. I did add two Dakoni nuggets at either edge of the headband to distribute where it makes contact with my head a bit more, but mostly in order for these to fit my wife's much smaller head. For me it was not necessary but doesn't hurt. But more than all that is the signature of these which is an absolutely beautiful balance between flat and sculpted.... a very ... MoreI've had many sets of headphones. Read about these ages ago and finally picked up a pair on sale. I must admit that for the price there is nothing comes remotely close. I've had several twice this price that don't come close. These are professional's pair of cans - they are remarkably light and flexible, the ear cups are huge with great feeling felt covering and soft memory foam. I can wear these all day. I did add two Dakoni nuggets at either edge of the headband to distribute where it makes contact with my head a bit more, but mostly in order for these to fit my wife's much smaller head. For me it was not necessary but doesn't hurt. But more than all that is the signature of these which is an absolutely beautiful balance between flat and sculpted.... a very natural response curve that frankly works for every type of music I throw at it. It is exciting enough to be very nice for simple listening sessions, but more importantly it is accurate and unbiased enough that I can actually effectively mix and master with these. The bass extension is excellent and hugely detailed and refined - all textures of bass are revealed. The highs detail is excellent as well and never, ever quite *too* much which is even better. The soundstage is *naturally* wide, not intimate, not overdone or unnaturally expanded. Listening to this set is as close as I can come to a pair of near field monitors. That is as it should be. They perform amazingly well as lower volumes, another bonus, but do not fall apart at high volumes either.There are times these sound just a touch too technical and I will reach for something more dynamic, wider or just more "fun" (a word used too often but it's fitting for some cans)... But I reach for these more often than I expected to for a "work" set of phones. They're that good. I can't praise them enough.

Spook Accuracy

I do amateur recording as well as listen to a very wide assortment of music, sourced from LPs, CDs, lossless computer files, played back through both audiophile and studio grade equipment. The first impression was that the AKG K712s were a little light on the bass and had a forward treble (particularly harsh with female voices), but once they were properly broken in, the transformation was night and day! Ruler flat response from the bottom of the bottom notes to the tippy top of the top notes. The K712 is not a set of cans for someone looking for the typical "Consumer" sound (huge bass, bright trebble), but it IS for someone who wants to hear the music, and nothing but the music. I replaced a pair of Sony "Professional" style cans, and there is no comparison. These ... MoreI do amateur recording as well as listen to a very wide assortment of music, sourced from LPs, CDs, lossless computer files, played back through both audiophile and studio grade equipment. The first impression was that the AKG K712s were a little light on the bass and had a forward treble (particularly harsh with female voices), but once they were properly broken in, the transformation was night and day! Ruler flat response from the bottom of the bottom notes to the tippy top of the top notes. The K712 is not a set of cans for someone looking for the typical "Consumer" sound (huge bass, bright trebble), but it IS for someone who wants to hear the music, and nothing but the music. I replaced a pair of Sony "Professional" style cans, and there is no comparison. These are fantastic for my production work, and supremely comfortable for long sessions! (Don't let the size fool you, they are HUGE!) The K712 is a power hungry set, so plan on using some sort of amplifier with your portable devices, but fine on everything else I've tried. This is a truly open backed headphone, so you'll get that expansive sound that only open backed 'phones can give you, but they provide very little in the way of isolation, so probably not best to use while traveling. In my studio and at my easy chair, they are perfect. While light in weight, they have a feeling of quality. The replaceable cables (2 are included, coiled and straight) are also of very high quality. Bottom line: If you are looking for a set of headphones that reveal ALL of the recording, and don't add their own "personality", get the AKG K712. Truth seekers, your headphone is right here, treat your self, you won't be disappointed!

You get a lot for what you pay for, Audiophiles

Without a doubt, AKG produces truly high-end headphones. I have my fair share of headphones, some good and some just mediocre. Therefore, I think I can give an opinion with some experience regarding these AKG K712 PRO headphones.Prior to my purchase, my basic impulse was motivated by the AKG K702 headphones, which I have, which emit beautiful and very high-quality instrumental sounds, I am not a professional recording studio technician, I am just a music audiophile classical, jazz, pop and classical rock.Some previous research I did using internet forums, as well as individual scholars who sometimes make biased critiques.I didn't find any strong reviews before I made my purchase. I decided to ignore a weight of negative reviews surrounding these headphones and ... MoreWithout a doubt, AKG produces truly high-end headphones. I have my fair share of headphones, some good and some just mediocre. Therefore, I think I can give an opinion with some experience regarding these AKG K712 PRO headphones.Prior to my purchase, my basic impulse was motivated by the AKG K702 headphones, which I have, which emit beautiful and very high-quality instrumental sounds, I am not a professional recording studio technician, I am just a music audiophile classical, jazz, pop and classical rock.Some previous research I did using internet forums, as well as individual scholars who sometimes make biased critiques.I didn't find any strong reviews before I made my purchase. I decided to ignore a weight of negative reviews surrounding these headphones and paid for them.Once I'd made my purchase, I continued to check those audiophile and scholarly forums, but the weight of many negative reviews seemed to weigh on me. I was about to cancel my purchase and even exchange for another pair of AKG K702 headphones, to have one in my office. My doubts increase and my uncertainty grows, obviously. But I decided to take the risk, to keep my choice for these K712 PRO.I've been wearing them for two weeks, I don't even take them off to eat!!!They are a true surprise, a beauty of sound reproduction, the spaces, the depth, the silences, the instrumental separation, it is truly exceptional. You can spend hours and hours listening to them and you won't get tired, they are clear sounds, they are never annoying.Today I can affirm that sometimes the technical expressions on paper offer sound measurements that are no longer perceptible to the human being and to the technically demanding observer of paper, it can be an important reference, but when these data that go beyond the actual perception of the human ear and compare are sometimes irrelevant. Perhaps not the only but or inconvenience, but due to its low irrelevance, is that its firmness of support is not very stable, but remember that these are open headphones over the ear and of a generous size. This lack of firmness, then, is also somewhat contradictory, because it favors not feeling significant compression on the head after hours of use.For this reason, I conclude, based on my experience among several headphones that I have, very high-end and high-cost, this headphone, to enjoy music in a demanding, precise way, with a wide sounding, in a neutral, even way. and precisely, they are truly wonderful, extraordinary.And by the way, its average cost triples it in what it will offer you in that sound enjoyment, better than many high-end ones for its cost.

[Rewarded Review] right side dead

Bought these oct23 used them a few times last year. Midway through January started using them, probably total of 10 times. The right channel stopped working, called for warranty. They want to repair them at the cost of me paying for shipping($35.00). $400. Headphones shouldn't break at random so soon.They were comfortable and sounded great!