AKG K371 Review (closed back headphone)

[staticV3]

I've been a fan of the BT variant of these for a while. first pair bought in 2020, 2 years later head band broke, then replacement pair came, 2 years later (today) sound stopped in right ear... I'm 100% tuned into the sound of these headphones for audio mixing, so I HAVE to buy them again...

I 90% of time just use as wired though. So am going to just buy wired versions this time.

Anyone seen that Amazon sell 2 versions of this headphone? I'll buy cheaper version.... but whats with the Pro version, build quality better??

AKG K371 Studio headphones £139.50

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-K371-Closed-Foldable-Headphones/dp/B07T78PX8X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

vs

AKG Pro Audio £177.55

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-Pro-Audio-Headphones-K371-B07WZH7WM9/dp/B07WZH7WM9/ref=sr_1_5?crid=RTAEOU1A89TY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gnCOEryc2VRH8oXbN6xu6ybGjAJC7SynQUlKdud60t4oZWoGsLgKL8JjJu9awsfbsHQCwBrEmVlXyLqcwkWCpnHvVq4soiGyM3-7OoNnYRMydLBJWJo-C-baLEVqGvD37WBhGcD2LjEVdlwRmjyPPS02MZIrHHaT93GZbfBC3qIJBQobS2uSjhJ6NReS_HSUXd4cREOV-d43HtWvMXxX4zdPZrpmcYZRUbGA2eWD1yCNYXPCFYM_RzK5HVB4Bdv7gC4502BvXs-WBw0T_xEYOruStGhAC2MVSLXicU_2aRE.hY-ZANFnbCe2z--DPN3Qs6SXkjtB0IMG_pl3slyQ3mI&dib_tag=se&keywords=AKG+K371&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1727783636&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=akg+k371%2Cmi%2C70&sr=1-5&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUK_IHI_5M_VF

A Harman employee has confirmed to me personally that no two versions of the K371 exist (e.g. one "Pro", one "non-Pro")

Only the regular AKG K371 exists, which marketing departments may sometimes call Pro, other times not.

 

[SEEDSTAR]

A Harman employee has confirmed to me personally that no two versions of the K371 exist (e.g. one "Pro", one "non-Pro")

Only the regular AKG K371 exists, which marketing departments may sometimes call Pro, other times not.

mad that AKG's official amazon is selling both for a price difference

 

[Kremmen]

I've been a fan of the BT variant of these for a while. first pair bought in 2020, 2 years later head band broke, then replacement pair came, 2 years later (today) sound stopped in right ear... I'm 100% tuned into the sound of these headphones for audio mixing, so I HAVE to buy them again...

I 90% of time just use as wired though. So am going to just buy wired versions this time.

Anyone seen that Amazon sell 2 versions of this headphone? I'll buy cheaper version.... but whats with the Pro version, build quality better??

AKG K371 Studio headphones £139.50

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-K371-Closed-Foldable-Headphones/dp/B07T78PX8X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

vs

AKG Pro Audio £177.55

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-Pro-Audio-Headphones-K371-B07WZH7WM9/dp/B07WZH7WM9/ref=sr_1_5?crid=RTAEOU1A89TY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gnCOEryc2VRH8oXbN6xu6ybGjAJC7SynQUlKdud60t4oZWoGsLgKL8JjJu9awsfbsHQCwBrEmVlXyLqcwkWCpnHvVq4soiGyM3-7OoNnYRMydLBJWJo-C-baLEVqGvD37WBhGcD2LjEVdlwRmjyPPS02MZIrHHaT93GZbfBC3qIJBQobS2uSjhJ6NReS_HSUXd4cREOV-d43HtWvMXxX4zdPZrpmcYZRUbGA2eWD1yCNYXPCFYM_RzK5HVB4Bdv7gC4502BvXs-WBw0T_xEYOruStGhAC2MVSLXicU_2aRE.hY-ZANFnbCe2z--DPN3Qs6SXkjtB0IMG_pl3slyQ3mI&dib_tag=se&keywords=AKG+K371&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1727783636&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=akg+k371%2Cmi%2C70&sr=1-5&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUK_IHI_5M_VF

Looks like somebody on Amazon has just added the words Pro Audio before K371. There's no mention of another wired K371 on AKG's website either and I can't find it in AKG's Amazon store.

I see this a lot on Amazon, where the same product is under two or more listings, sometimes with a wide variation in pricing. Buyer beware, as they say.

 

[earlevel]

I've been a fan of the BT variant of these for a while. first pair bought in 2020, 2 years later head band broke, then replacement pair came, 2 years later (today) sound stopped in right ear... I'm 100% tuned into the sound of these headphones for audio mixing, so I HAVE to buy them again...

The left side of my K371-BT snapped while putting them on, earlier this year (also after two years). But right then I realized the right side was already snapped, I hadn't noticed it, apparently. I can still use them, but they are loose. I've had Sonys for decades (MDR-7520 is my daily for recording), just need to replace the pads occasionally.

I got the AKG at half price on a deal, I liked them pretty well, though I mainly used them as BT phones for conference calls after I stepped on my headset a couple of years ago.

 

[lordearl]

Noting that this review of the AKG K371 is a few years old now, and it is difficult to filter the revews of closed back headphones by suitability for studio monitoring, are there any new models from AKG or any other brands which have eclipsed the K371 in terms of suitability for studio monitoring without needing EQ?

 

[FTB]

I personally found nothing better than the K371.
I mean, there are some reference like the Sennheiser HD650 or Hifiman Sundara... but they are open-back and have pretty much no bass.
Audio-Technica ATH-50x are to me over-valued.

The Ollo S5X 1.1 and S4X 1.3 look promising and the new model X1 just came out today but we lack measurements.
Ollo provide their own measurements but we need independent ones like Amir or Oratory do.

To me the only headphones better are the Dan Clark but it's 3k $ when the K371 is 150 € in Europe...

 

[KosherButcher]

Noting that this review of the AKG K371 is a few years old now, and it is difficult to filter the revews of closed back headphones by suitability for studio monitoring, are there any new models from AKG or any other brands which have eclipsed the K371 in terms of suitability for studio monitoring without needing EQ?

The new Sony MDR-M1 seems promising!

 

[staticV3]

The new Sony MDR-M1 seems promising!

Here it is overlaid with Harman:

Measurement source

 

[tccalvin]

The K371s have been my main headphones for about 4 years. They serve me well, but it is a real struggle to keep them alive. The headphones want to fall apart like there is no tomorrow.
The outer leather part of the headband is crumbling down and I’m on my second set of pads.
First I tried a pair of Shure pads after reading some recommendations online. They sounded nice but after a couple of years they started to dig into my ears and it was painful.
I’m now trying a second, thicker pair from (I assume?) a far-eastern brand (TaiZiChangQuin). They are a lot more comfortable and sturdy but I feel I’ve kinda muddied the sound by adding a bit too much mid-bass.
Of course, it’s hard to tell without proper A/B tests and measurements.
And that’s exactly the worst part about these headphones: you can’t get the original replacement pads anywhere and you don’t really know what you’re doing to the sound signature when you use third party pads.
And you’ll get some leather crumbs on your desk/floor/bed from time to time.

 

[lordearl]

Sennhiser HD 560S gets close to the AKG K371 in terms of matching target - noting of course that it is open back.

 

[FTB]

HD560S has a painful peak in the treble. Personally I can't listen to them (i bought them to try).

 

[SEEDSTAR]

I personally found nothing better than the K371.
I mean, there are some reference like the Sennheiser HD650 or Hifiman Sundara... but they are open-back and have pretty much no bass.
Audio-Technica ATH-50x are to me over-valued.

The Ollo S5X 1.1 and S4X 1.3 look promising and the new model X1 just came out today but we lack measurements.
Ollo provide their own measurements but we need independent ones like Amir or Oratory do.

To me the only headphones better are the Dan Clark but it's 3k $ when the K371 is 150 € in Europe...

I tired the Ollo S4X vs my K371 for a few days, then returned the Ollo promptly - it made me realise I'm 100% a Harman curve man, as there was just not enough low end for me at all. shame as build quality was very nice, and their tone was really pleasant.

 

[FTB]

I tired the Ollo S4X vs my K371 for a few days, then returned the Ollo promptly - it made me realise I'm 100% a Harman curve man, as there was just not enough low end for me at all. shame as build quality was very nice, and their tone was really pleasant.

Sure, build quality and all spare parts available, that's surely better than the K371 with no original pads available.

 

[staticV3]

better than the K371 with no original pads available.

Technically, one can buy OEM pads by contacting the AKG customer service.

The parts number is 5125515-00.

 

[FTB]

Technically, one can buy OEM pads by contacting the AKG customer service.

The parts number is 5125515-00.

I didn't know that. The last time I tried to reach them (from France), I had no answer. I'll try again, thanks!

 

[lordearl]

Yes, what the world needs now is something like the K371 but with better build quality.

 

[MCH]

I didn't know that. The last time I tried to reach them (from France), I had no answer. I'll try again, thanks!

If that doesn't work (most likely) try easyrepair.be

 

[FTB]

If that doesn't work (most likely) try easyrepair.be

Oh, nice, they have pads available.

Thanks for the tip !

 

[SEEDSTAR]

Yes, what the world needs now is something like the K371 but with better build quality.

I'd buy that today!

 

[markanini]

Yes, what the world needs now is something like the K371 but with better build quality.

Expect it to be priced at 2-3 times that of K371 if that happens. So far we only really have open-backs in dynamic and planar varieties that are part of a price race, and which are decently built. For the same to happen with closed-backs people will have to vote with their wallet. If you want to, go ahead and buy the AKG K371 for now, and enjoy it for what it is. You don't have to, but if not, forget about a nicer built K371 seeing the light of day, that's how it works. The manufacturers will continue thinking that the closed-back market is too small, like they done have so far.