By: Cristina | Last updated February 14, 2020 
Buying headphones can be a daunting task. There are so many options out there for you to choose from, that it can be exhausting to decide which way to go, unless you know exactly what to look for.
What to look for when shopping for headphones
As technology evolved, so have headphones. There is a wide variety of headphones to choose from nowadays based on the connection type, size, features and so much more.
Here are some aspects to consider when in the market for headphones:
- What kind of headphones you want based on size and design. There are two main types of headphones to consider: earbuds or in-ear and regular headphones. If you opt for the latter, you also have several options to choose from:
- On ear headphones, also called supra-aural and over the ear, also called circumaural
- Closed-back, open-back or semi-open back, based on the back of the headphones. Closed-back headphones isolate the sound better, while open-back headphones leak sound so people around you can hear what you are listening to. But the soundstage on the other hand, can be better with open-back headphones
- What kind of connection you want. As you probably know already, there are both wireless and wired headphones out there. Wireless headphones are more comfortable and convenient because they eliminate that annoying cable that dangles and tangles. However, they are usually more expensive and some audiophiles still avoid them because they like the sound quality of the wired headphones better. Read more on this topic.
- Features of the headphones. This is a complex topic and there are a plethora of features to consider when it comes to headphones:
- Noise-cancelation (helps reducing outside noises)
- Built-in microphone so that you can take calls
- Water resistance
- NFC so that you can pair your headphones with another device that has NFC
- What is the battery life on the headphones, if you opt for wireless ones. Of course, the longer the battery life, the better
- How much are you willing to pay for a pair of headphones; this very much depends on your budget, as you can find headphones for even $10 or you can spend thousands of dollars on a high-quality pair
- Sound specs: there are some specs to pay attention to when buying headphones, because they will determine the volume and sound quality of the headphones. Here are the most important ones to consider:
- Frequency response
- Impedance
- Sensitivity
Find out what each of them means and why they are important aspects to consider.
AKG K72 – Are they worth it?
AKG is a well renowned brand when it comes to audio products. The company is based in Austria and has over 70 years of experience in the industry. AKG is a popular brand not only when it comes to headphones, both for consumer and professional use, but also microphones, wireless systems and other products.
Price
However, their K72 headphones are not among their top-end products, on the contrary. This is a budget-friendly option and you can buy the headphones for under $50. That is why many people are skeptical regarding their capabilities and sound quality, especially with AKG describing the headphones as being designed for studio use (monitoring, mixing, etc.)
Main specifications of the K72:
- Frequency response: 16-20000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 112 dB SPL/V
- Weight: 7.05 oz
- Drivers: 40 mm
- Wired technology: 9.8 feet
Design and features of the K72
The K72 headphones are wired and over the year (circumaural). They are also closed back, which means there’s no sound leakage, so you don’t have to worry others will hear everything you are listening to. However, you can’t expect a great soundstage with this model either, especially in this price range.
The earpads are lightweight and have replaceable Leatherette. The headphones are comfortable to wear and come with a soft, self-adjusting headband. They don’t put pressure on your ears and you can wear them for longer periods of time without feeling any discomfort.
While the design of the K72 doesn’t exactly scream ‘premium’, the headphones seem well built and durable, which is more than you can expect giving the price you’re paying for them.
The length of the cable is 3 meters (9.8 feet) and it is single sided, which is a good thing if you are indeed wearing the headphones for studio work.
Being a low-budget model, you can’t expect too many features when it comes to the K72. You won’t get wireless connectivity, the cable is not detachable, there’s no NFC, no built-in microphone and other such bells and whistles. But then again, these headphones are not designed for the general consumer, but more for studio use, so those functions aren’t exactly necessary.
How do the K72 sound?
The K72 are equipped with 40mm drivers and have a frequency response of 16 – 20.000 Hz.
While you are entitled to your skepticism regarding the sound quality of this $50 pair of headphones, prepare to be surprised. The K72 deliver a pretty detailed and clear sound. The only problem with them is that they are not 100% neutral when it comes to frequencies. The mids are a bit emphasized which, depending on what you’re listening through them, can be more or less noticeable. The highs and lows are present enough, but not too punchy.
The soundstage of the K72 is not outstanding but it is average, which is satisfying giving the price. Besides, you can’t expect extraordinary soundstage in a closed-back pair of headphones anyway, unless you are willing to spend a lot more money.
Overall, the K72 sound way better than most $50 headphones out there, which make them a great buy. Even though they focus more on the midrange, you can use them for monitoring and mixing anyway, which is more than you can ask for in this price range. The headphones are solidly built and are very comfortable to wear even for longer periods of time. For $50, the AKG K72 are definitely among the best headphones you can find.
