So what we have today are two bitter rivals in the class of reference headphones – the AKG K702 and the Sennheiser HD650.
Both of them represent a reputed brand and are very good in their own ways. However, it would definitely not be fair to say that the AKG K702 and the Sennheiser HD650 are equal.
One has to surpass the other. What good is a rivalry without a little competition, isn't it?
So without further ado, let's settle this debate for once and let's find out which is better headphone – the AKG K702 or the Sennheiser HD650.
Let's look at the specifications of these headphones in the below table.
AKG K702 vs Sennheiser HD650!
Design and build quality
Let's begin the comparison by talking about the physical aspects of both the headphones.
On one hand, we have the AKG K702 which is all about its old-school retro styling and large ear cups and a self-adjusting headband.
The ear cups are extremely comfortable, thanks to the soft padding and so is the headband as it doesn't put a lot of pressure on your head.
On the other hand, the Sennheiser HD650 showcases a decent design featuring large ear cups as well, which are also very soothing on the ears.
The overall grip of the headphone on your head is subtle and it doesn't give a cramping sensation.
What is similar with the AKG K702 and the Sennheiser HD650 is that both of them aren't much stable on the head and are highly recommended for indoor use only and mustn't be put on during any kind of physical activities.
Secondly, both of them share bulky dimensions and none of them have integrated audio controls in them, which is quite okay as they are mainly used as studio reference monitors.
Now, continuing with the comparison, the AKG K702 comes in a two-tone color scheme – navy blue and silver and the ear cups have a suede finish.
As for the Sennheiser HD650, they too have a two-tone color scheme but with a combination of black and dark grey and has a glossy finish to it. The ear cups have the similar premium suede finish too.
Coming to the build quality, the AKG K702 has a decent build quality with its flexible headband and dense ear cups and it is liable to handle an average amount of physical pressure.
However, due to the presence of a lot of moving parts in the headband, it is prone to be damaged through wear and tear and thus, that's one weak point.
Meanwhile, the build quality of the Sennheiser HD650 is somewhat average and it lacks that high-end feel. Their weakest part is the headband as it is fragile looking and it seems like it would break under moderate physical pressure.
Also look at: AKG K701 vs AKG K702- Let's Find the Winner!
Sound and performance
Coming to the most vital aspect of any headphone, the audio quality. So let's have a detailed comparison of the sound of AKG K702 and Sennheiser HD650.
Now keep in mind that both the headphones have an open-back design, meaning that you can hear the surrounding noise even with the headphones on and vice versa i.e. people around you would be able to hear the music you are listening.
Both the AKG K702 and Sennheiser HD650 feature a dynamic driver system and have a flat response and it doesn't have any added coloration or boost. The sound is as original as it can be.
Bass
The overall bass of the Sennheiser HD650 is better than that of the AKG K702. The low bass responsible for the rumble and thump as well as the mid bass.
It gives the necessary punch to kick drums and thickness in the sound of the bass guitars is more prominent in the Sennheiser HD650 than the AKG K702.
However, the high bass of the Sennheiser HD650 can make it sound a little muddy whereas the AKG K702 manages to keep it subtle without meddling with the mid range.
Mid
When we talk about the warmth in vocals and the body of acoustic instruments, we focus in the mid range. The AKG K702 and the Sennheiser HD650, when compared to each other, have a massive difference between them in this aspect.
All the three levels of the mid range – low, mid and high – are higher for the Sennheiser HD650 than the AKG K702, letting it cut through the mix more efficiently. The increased low mid makes sure the vocals don't get lost in the bass.
You can instantly tell the difference in the quality of lead instruments when played in the AKG K702 and the Sennheiser HD650 turn after turn and without a doubt, you can feel the sound more in the Sennheiser HD650 without putting too much pressure on your ears.
Treble
Things tend to get a little tricky as far as the treble is concerned. It is almost a dilemma here!
The AKG K702 tends to overemphasize its treble which adds an excessive brightness and detailing to the vocals and other lead instruments. The presence and sibilance are also more.
And then we have the Sennheiser HD650, which has a comparatively very low treble which leads to the lack of brightness and the necessary detailing which adds a finishing touch to the vocals, cymbals and lead instruments.
Noise isolation
Having an open-back design, both the AKG K702 and the Sennheiser HD650 encourage the leakage of sound in order to broaden the soundstage and improve the quality of sound.
Hence, they are not at all ideal for use in public places as your sound will continuously be interfered by the outside noises.
In order to get the best results out of the AKG K702 and the Sennheiser HD650, we recommend you to use it in spaces with the least amount of ambient noises, say for example inside your room or your studio.
Pros and cons
AKG K702
Pros
- Audio reproduction is great
- Comfortable design
Cons
- Big and bulky design
- No ambient noise isolation
Sennheiser HD650
Pros
- Soundstage is decent
- Stable and comfortable design
Cons
- Poor quality headband
- Unimpressive material
Bottomline
Finally, we have come to the end of the comparison AKG K702 vs Sennheiser HD650 and now it's time to give our verdict. I'm sure you have been eagerly waiting for the conclusion.
The AKG K702 has a better build quality than the Sennheiser HD650, quite evidently. But that's not the sole reason why you buy a set of reference headphones, right? It's the sound that matters and clearly, the Sennheiser HD650 does wonders in that aspect.
It has
So for us, the final choice is the Sennheiser HD650 undoubtedly.