AKG K612 Pro Reference Studio Headphones $196.30 + Delivery (Free with Prime) @ Amazon UK via Amazon Australia

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jasswolf on 06/09/2021 - 16:01 amazon.com.au (456 clicks)
Last edited 06/09/2021 - 16:12

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With the 6XX offer out of the way, this comes back into the picture for those looking for a dry, neutral sound, solid timbre, and great soundstage and imaging. I believe this is an all-time low too. If you like Sennheiser mids and timbre, you may be slightly off-put by this headphone, but it's a good all-rounder.

You'll need an amp for the best sound (control in the bass, extension in the highs), and these will EQ about as well as anything on the market due to very low distortion characteristics.

Check past deals for lots of comparisons and comments. Enjoy!

Price History at CamelCamelCamel.

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  Lost-Sons of dallas on 06/09/2021 - 16:29

  373 or these? This puts them around the same price on special from the same seller

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    jasswolf on 06/09/2021 - 17:14

    The K371 is a closed back (isolating) headphone that follows the Harman curve fairly closely, so it's a very different sound presentation. The K612 is an open back (less isolating, more natural sounding) headphone that is better if you don't want that subwoofer feel to your bass, if you want a larger soundstage/headspace, and better imaging (picking the directionality and perceived distance of the sound). I think they're about even on timbre overall, but each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

    The K371 doesn't need an amp, but it will shine with a cleaner signal coming through. The K612 almost requires amplification for a good sound.

    The AKG K371 is probably worth $170 max, ideally it could have been on sale for $130-$140 at times but there's no promotional stock in AU putting any price pressure on. Whoever is running the Australian arm of AKG needs a reality check, in that regard. Wait for a sale if you want that.

    Please look into what open-back headphones are a bit more, because acoustically-speaking this is like comparing a performance hall with a studio.

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    seerious on 06/09/2021 - 21:48

    Both are good buys, but only the K371 is a must have. The K612 is easily replaceable by other open backs models. There aren’t any closed backs within the same price range which even come close.

    I’d bet money you’d prefer the sound of the K371’s… the only caveat is comfort if you’re ears stick out at all as the pads are extremely soft (compressing quite flat) and there’s no foam covering the driver baffle.

    Open back headphones are not inherently superior to closed back. They just display less distortion at matched sound pressure levels.

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  HD9990 on 06/09/2021 - 16:30

  +1

  Wondering this or the k701 702 812s. It's hard to choose…

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    jasswolf on 06/09/2021 - 17:30

    The K701 just doesn't cut it tonally, but technically it is an ever so slightly better headphone. The K612 is basically an upgrade on it overall at what was originally a lower price point.

    The K702 tried to be a less shrill K701, but it still has issues due to the diffuse field tuning being a little too close to the ideal target (not a practical choice given you're almost never using ideal materials). Again, the K612 ultimately serves as an upgrade unless you're listening to very specific kinds of music.

    The K812 was just an all-out run at trying to be a wide soundstage with precise imaging, but ultimately is apparently way too sharp with soundstage a bit faked through a lack of vocal presence.

    K612 is the safest bet, but otherwise if you're fasincated with the AKG house sound and want an improvement within the budget you're looking at, the HIFIMAN Sundara is a great choice. If you're serious about spending K812 money, maybe invest it in the Sennheiser HD 800S instead.

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      HD9990 on 06/09/2021 - 22:14

      Thanks mate, your post and replies couldn't have come at a better time…. Just borrowed friend's K712 PRO and it was clean sound with comfortable wearing.. I'm putting it on PS5 though….

      Been browsing internet for similar products and was on the edge of pulling the trigger, just couldn't decide on the 702 and 612 pro, (712 pro was good but it's hard to me to justify the extra 75% over the 612.

      quite fascinated with AKG sound though, best earphone ever heard was K3K3 which couldn't get anymore from a credible seller, and they don't have a wireless edition either which is a huge pain for modern phones.

      Thank you again for your valuable input and hope I will enjoy this K612 pro….

      any idea how to get a base like the one comes with K701? would love one of those to rest my new baby

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        jasswolf on 07/09/2021 - 01:02

        Unsure on the base, sorry!

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  giventofly on 06/09/2021 - 16:48

  OP, I know this is slightly off-topic, but do you have ant thoughts on the Topping L30 and E30?

  Looking for a desktop solution for my headphones and powered monitors.

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    jasswolf on 06/09/2021 - 17:37

    It should be fairly clean audio, but I'm always a little cautious about op-amp implementations at this level because they can thin out the sound slightly and add sibilance.

    The Topping implementation is very solid, but I haven't personally heard it. It's a good stack, though it'd probably be cheaper via AliE.

    A good alternative would be the Schiit Magni 3+ togther with a smooth DAC of your choice (maybe the E30, maybe the Khadas Tone:2). I used to recommend the Khadas Tone Board (aka the Tone:1), but it might create a little too much sibilance due to a slight distortion that may be audible.

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  ganymede on 06/09/2021 - 18:00

  How does this compares to AT M50x?

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    jasswolf on 06/09/2021 - 18:47

    This post mostly covers closed back versus open: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/11007405/redir

    But on top of that, the M50X is a very wonky signature, with no soundstage at all, so while it has great imaging it sounds otherwise spacially flat and in your head/face. If you're looking for a direct closed back upgrade, the AKG K371 will be a good buy when that goes on sale on Amazon again in and around November.

    If you're still interested in an open back headphone, this is solid all-rounder, but you may prefer the HD 560S (no great need for an amp) or the HD 6XX (more natural vocal and instrument timbre, most detailed of these 4 headphones).

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  djmm on 06/09/2021 - 18:51

  712 pro is it much better?

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    jasswolf on 06/09/2021 - 20:06

    +1

    The 700 series is about hitting a diffuse field curve which is very picky with how music is recorded, the 612 is more about the Harman curve without a bass shelf.

    Technical performance is largely similar, with the 700 series tonality maybe sounding a bit more open, but not by much. I don't think the overall performance is worth the almost doubling in price.

    If you're spending 712 Pro money, look instead at the HIFIMAN Sundara.

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  chocoman123 on 06/09/2021 - 19:05

  How is this for gaming? Was trying to look for a tygr 300r but OOS everywhere reasonable. Any alternatives? Thanks

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    jasswolf on 06/09/2021 - 20:17

    Sennheiser HD 560S if you don't have an amp, HIFIMAN Sundara (given you were looking at a $450 headphone), 560S or K612 Pro if you do.

    Avoid the TYGR 300R, it's a modified DT990 and not worth the money (or the tonal quirks).

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  fringe-benefits on 07/09/2021 - 08:43

  Might be a stupid question - but would it be viable to replace the cable with a 3.5mm to lightning cable to use with iPhone? Would that affect sound quality?

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    jasswolf on 07/09/2021 - 09:56

    That's a low power amp, so yes.

    Another option is the HD 560S.