What is the primary benefit of the open-back design on the K712 PRO?

The open-back design allows air and sound to move freely, preventing pressure build-up and internal reflections. This results in a more natural, spacious soundstage and accurate imaging compared to closed-back designs.

What makes the flat-wire voice coil 'revolutionary'?

Flat-wire voice coils provide higher efficiency and a lower weight than standard round-wire coils. This allows the driver to react more quickly to transients, leading to superior impulse and high-frequency responses.

Are these headphones suitable for recording vocals?

Because they are open-back, sound will leak out of the headphones and may be picked up by the microphone. They are better suited for mixing, mastering, and editing rather than tracking in a booth.

What materials are used for the headband and ear pads?

The K712 PRO features a genuine leather headband for support and durability, along with thick velour ear pads designed for luxurious comfort during long sessions.

How does the bass response compare to other open-back headphones?

AKG has specifically improved the low-end performance of the K712 PRO to provide more powerful sound imaging, addressing the common criticism that open-back headphones lack bass impact.

Is the K712 PRO considered an audiophile or studio headphone?

It is designed to serve both markets, offering the accuracy and detail required by studio professionals and the spatial depth and comfort desired by high-end audiophiles.

What is the typical price range for these headphones?

The typical price for the AKG K712 PRO is approximately £287, positioning it in the professional mid-to-high-tier category.

What is meant by the phrase 'Reference Headphones' in this context?

Reference headphones aim for a flat, uncoloured frequency response. This means they reproduce audio as close to the original recording as possible, making them a 'reference' for making mixing decisions.

How do the ear cups fit on the head?

They feature a circumaural design, meaning the large cups completely surround the ears. This distributes pressure evenly and enhances comfort for 'studio-dwellers'.

Can these headphones be used with mobile devices?

While they can be connected to mobile devices, their professional impedance and power requirements mean they perform best when used with a dedicated headphone amplifier or studio interface.

How does the soundstage differ from the Audio-Technica M-series?

Unlike the closed-back Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, which has a more direct and isolated sound, the K712 PRO offers a much wider and more airy soundstage due to its open-back design.

What is the benefit of the self-adjusting headband?

The genuine leather self-adjusting headband ensures a consistent, secure fit across the top of the head without requiring manual adjustment each time the user puts them on.

Gear article

AKG K712 PRO Open-Back Dynamic Reference Headphones

The AKG K712 PRO is a premium open-back dynamic reference headphone designed for professional studio monitoring and high-fidelity listening. It incorporates revolutionary flat-wire voice coils and an open-back architecture to deliver a wide, spatial soundstage with enhanced low-end performance and precise impulse response.

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Background and Design

The AKG K712 PRO occupies a top-tier position within AKG’s line of reference-grade studio headphones. Built for both studio professionals and audiophiles, it builds upon the legacy of the K701 and K702 series by introducing specific improvements to bass response and overall frequency accuracy. The design maintains the classic AKG silhouette, featuring a self-adjusting genuine leather headband and a circular, open-back cup structure.

The inclusion of large circumaural ear cups, fitted with thick velour pads, prioritises comfort for 'studio-dwellers' who engage in long-duration mixing or mastering sessions. The open-back nature of the housing is intended to minimise internal reflections and provide the most natural acoustic experience possible.

Technical Features

The K712 PRO distinguishes itself through its internal driver technology. A key feature is the revolutionary flat-wire voice coil, which offers superior impulse response compared to traditional round-wire coils. This technology allows for faster movement of the diaphragm, resulting in high-frequency reproduction that is remarkably clear and detailed.

To ensure every nuance is captured, AKG employs carefully selected transducers. While many open-back headphones suffer from a lack of sub-bass presence, the K712 PRO specifically targets improved low-end performance. This provides a more powerful sound imaging experience without sacrificing the neutrality required for reference tasks.

Sonic Character

The sound signature of the K712 PRO is defined by its wide, spacious soundstage. Because of the open-back geometry, instruments are perceived with a sense of distance and accurate spatial placement rather than being heard 'inside the head'.

In terms of tonality, the headphones provide phenomenal accuracy across the spectrum. The improved low-end ensures that kick drums and bass guitars have weight, while the flat-wire coils ensure that the treble response is airy and precise. This transparency makes them highly suitable for detecting subtle errors in recordings that might be missed on standard playback equipment.

Ideal Applications

The AKG K712 PRO is specifically suited for: * Mixing and Mastering: Where accurate spatial imaging and tonal balance are essential for high-quality production results. * Critical Listening: For audiophiles seeking a 'truly special' experience where they can hear details previously unheard in familiar recordings. * Post-Production: Where the comfort-focused design allows for long working hours without ear fatigue.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to closed-back alternatives like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X or DT 770 M, the K712 PRO offers a much wider soundstage but lacks the isolation required for tracking in front of live microphones. Against more compact monitors like the DT 270 PRO or standard utility models like the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, the K712 PRO offers a more luxurious build and refined frequency response.

In the realm of high-end open-back monitors, it competes with the Sennheiser HD 300 PRO and Sony MDR-MV1. While those models focus on neutrality, the K712 PRO is often noted for its specific implementation of flat-wire voice coils and its distinct low-end imaging enhancements which provide a slightly more immersive experience.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary benefit of the open-back design on the K712 PRO?: The open-back design allows air and sound to move freely, preventing pressure build-up and internal reflections. This results in a more natural, spacious soundstage and accurate imaging compared to closed-back designs.
What makes the flat-wire voice coil 'revolutionary'?: Flat-wire voice coils provide higher efficiency and a lower weight than standard round-wire coils. This allows the driver to react more quickly to transients, leading to superior impulse and high-frequency responses.
Are these headphones suitable for recording vocals?: Because they are open-back, sound will leak out of the headphones and may be picked up by the microphone. They are better suited for mixing, mastering, and editing rather than tracking in a booth.
What materials are used for the headband and ear pads?: The K712 PRO features a genuine leather headband for support and durability, along with thick velour ear pads designed for luxurious comfort during long sessions.
How does the bass response compare to other open-back headphones?: AKG has specifically improved the low-end performance of the K712 PRO to provide more powerful sound imaging, addressing the common criticism that open-back headphones lack bass impact.
Is the K712 PRO considered an audiophile or studio headphone?: It is designed to serve both markets, offering the accuracy and detail required by studio professionals and the spatial depth and comfort desired by high-end audiophiles.
What is the typical price range for these headphones?: The typical price for the AKG K712 PRO is approximately £287, positioning it in the professional mid-to-high-tier category.
What is meant by the phrase 'Reference Headphones' in this context?: Reference headphones aim for a flat, uncoloured frequency response. This means they reproduce audio as close to the original recording as possible, making them a 'reference' for making mixing decisions.
How do the ear cups fit on the head?: They feature a circumaural design, meaning the large cups completely surround the ears. This distributes pressure evenly and enhances comfort for 'studio-dwellers'.
Can these headphones be used with mobile devices?: While they can be connected to mobile devices, their professional impedance and power requirements mean they perform best when used with a dedicated headphone amplifier or studio interface.
How does the soundstage differ from the Audio-Technica M-series?: Unlike the closed-back Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, which has a more direct and isolated sound, the K712 PRO offers a much wider and more airy soundstage due to its open-back design.
What is the benefit of the self-adjusting headband?: The genuine leather self-adjusting headband ensures a consistent, secure fit across the top of the head without requiring manual adjustment each time the user puts them on.