AKG K371 Review (closed back headphone)

[Berwhale]

I purchased my AKG K371 from Amazon in December 2020. The pleather on the earpads and headband had started to flake off recently, so I ordered some lambskin pads from Amazon (shipped from China). These arrived yesterday so I fitted them and carefully scraped off the pleather from the whole headband last night....

The pads feel nice and appear to be real leather, I quite like the look of the fluffy headband

Pads here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DKNCS27Y

Note: I removed the rubber strip under the headband so I could scrape all the pleather off. It comes off quite easily, but is a little fiddly to get back on again.

 

[Dazerdoreal]

As this topic is up again, I have to mention again how amazed I am by this headphone. To me the AKG 371 is one the best closed-backs I have heard. That said, it is a headphone that fits my head unusually well. In my ears, it sounds better than my HD 600 with and without EQ. I dont even feel the need to EQ.

When I sine sweep I perceive some channel imbalances in the treble, but I do not perceive them when I listen to actual music.

I cannot hear the bassy response which is visible in many measuments. I usually do not like headphones which measure that bassy. Partly this is because I wear glasses but even without glasses it is not above Harman level in my ears.

Some people say these are overrated. In my listening experience they are definetely not. But I guess the depedency on the head form etc might be rather high.

 

[markanini]

K371 has proven is worth and made a large impact. This is what attracts nitpickers and contrarians. I'm not one of those and agree it sounds great. My best overear experience overall.

 

[roladyzator]

This is my only headphone that I don't EQ.
Even with near-perfect 7Hz Zero 2 I sometimes add a treble shelf to hear more "detail" and my HD 700 are horrible without EQ, while the HE400SE are decent non-equalized, but lack excitement.

With K371, any noticeable change I make is for the worse.
I know it doesn't work the same for everyone but if you're in the market and considering these, but you are put off by people calling it "muddy", "overhyped", "lacking technicalities" - give them a chance.

 

[markanini]

This is my only headphone that I don't EQ.
Even with near-perfect 7Hz Zero 2 I sometimes add a treble shelf to hear more "detail" and my HD 700 are horrible without EQ, while the HE400SE are decent non-equalized, but lack excitement.

With K371, any noticeable change I make is for the worse.
I know it doesn't work the same for everyone but if you're in the market and considering these, but you are put off by people calling it "muddy", "overhyped", "lacking technicalities" - give them a chance.

A product like K371 will face critisism but that might likely be entirely consumer psychology in the end. Justifying purchases of worse performing competition that has emerged, just because it's easy to get pulled into the hype. IMO K371 still is a great value at least for the tuning quality. Enjoy it!

 

[carlcamper]

This and the Fiio FT1 are my go-to closed backs for most music! I only reach for my Audeze LCD-XC when I need an analytical set.

 

[ironwolf60]

so did anyone find how to fix microphonic cable issue? where can i buy a compact, low profile and maybe angled mXLR cable?

 

[staticV3]

so did anyone find how to fix microphonic cable issue? where can i buy a compact, low profile and maybe angled mXLR cable?

I'd give the HD 490 Pro cable a try, making sure to check the cable pinout beforehand.

While not angled, the Sennheiser cable uses a low profile XLR connector and a cable coil to reduce microphonics.

 

[ironwolf60]

I'd give the HD 490 Pro cable a try, making sure to check the cable pinout beforehand.

While not angled, the Sennheiser cable uses a low profile XLR connector and a cable coil to reduce microphonics.

theres no way i could buy this cable. i mean it must be available in normal stores that ship globally

 

[staticV3]

theres no way i could buy this cable. i mean it must be available in normal stores that ship globally

The HD 490 Pro cable is available in numerous normal audio stores that ship globally.

You'll be hard-pressed to find another brand whose headphone replacement cables are so readily available as Sennheiser.

 

[ironwolf60]

The HD 490 Pro cable is available in numerous normal audio stores that ship globally.

You'll be hard-pressed to find another brand whose headphone replacement cables are so readily available as Sennheiser.

only in the usa. but even if i cantact Sennheiser it will ve very very expensive. i'll pay more for the cable than the k371

 

[staticV3]

only in the usa.

No, not only in the USA. Sennheiser is a German brand with distributors all over the globe.

Which country are you located in?

 

[FTB]

This one does the job for me but I don't know if it will fit you requirements :

Nylon Audio Cable For AKG K550 K553 K240 K271 K141 K171 K702 K712 Q701 Headphone | eBay

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You can fin similar ones on aliexpress too.

 

[KikoKentaurus]

why not these?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003952227945.html

 

[LTig]

Now it got my K371bt Just when I was ready to order new ear pads as the originals had disintegrated after just 3 years only of very moderate use (once per week?) the head band broke when I took it off. Since it seems to be impossible to fix the head band or get a replacement I need a new closed BT headphone, and it won't be anything with AKG in its name.

 

[Moonhead]

Now it got my K371bt Just when I was ready to order new ear pads as the originals had disintegrated after just 3 years only of very moderate use (once per week?) the head band broke when I took it off. Since it seems to be impossible to fix the head band or get a replacement I need a new closed BT headphone, and it won't be anything with AKG in its name.

Sorry to hear that mate, I can vouch for Sennheiser Momentum4 you can often find them for cheap at Sennheiser outlet store.

 

[Phorize]

Sorry to hear that mate, I can vouch for Sennheiser Momentum4 you can offer find them for cheap at Sennheiser outlet store.

2nd that, bought a pair of these for my 11 year old. They are available for quite a lot less than their original price now. Build quality is very good, the control app is solid and the neutral EQ setting sounds nice. 60 hours battery life is crazy.

 

[earlevel]

Now it got my K371bt Just when I was ready to order new ear pads as the originals had disintegrated after just 3 years only of very moderate use (once per week?) the head band broke when I took it off. Since it seems to be impossible to fix the head band or get a replacement I need a new closed BT headphone, and it won't be anything with AKG in its name.

Yep, my K371BT headband has been broken for months, I probably used it the last day on a meeting today, a BT headset arrived as its replacement tonight.

I got the K371 on sale for $110 plus tax nearly three years ago. I suppose one side probably broke previously and I didn't notice it, but a few months ago the other side snapped when I put it on, and it's been floppy since. Amazing they never fixed the design flaw, and I suppose there is even less chance now under Samsung. A pair of $100 Sony MDR-7506 would last decades and just require ear muff replacement every few years. The ear pads on the K371 are like new, though. I used them about two hours a week. I bought them for general use, but they got pressed into action as my online meeting headset when I stepped on my actual USB headset a couple of years ago.

A shame they are ultimately junk, since they are comfortable till they fail, and have a nice sound.

 

[ducnsh]

2nd that, bought a pair of these for my 11 year old. They are available for quite a lot less than their original price now. Build quality is very good, the control app is solid and the neutral EQ setting sounds nice. 60 hours battery life is crazy.

I know it is an apple and orange comparison, but could you compare the Momentum 4 with other wired headphones in terms of sound quality? And for the ANC ability, could it be at the same level as some top earphones like 1000XM5, APP2? Thanks in advance!

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

2nd that, bought a pair of these for my 11 year old. They are available for quite a lot less than their original price now. Build quality is very good, the control app is solid and the neutral EQ setting sounds nice. 60 hours battery life is crazy.

Sadly there's a lot of fuzz online about the usability of the control app (dozens of updates in vain, app still freezing requiring restarting the phones, phones losing bt-connection, ANC feature going on and off on its own, not being able to change EQ settings, et cetera) and the phones in general. The touch panel is absolute garbage, it is way too sensible - collar of a jacket can start to change settings, start a phone call etc, sitting on a sofa with high backrest can do the same, the touch panel doesn't need to be even touched for it to apply commands, just accidently passing hand close to the phones is enough. Sound quality ought to be good, though, aswell as the battery life.