AKG K371 Review (closed back headphone)

[FTB]

The K371 is tuned with more bass than the Harman Target - because it takes into account that on the average head, there will be a bit more leakage than on a dummy head.
I've done some investigations on this with a few other headphones (using microphones mounted inside the ear of a group of 15 people), and the average amount of reduction at low frequencies happens to almost exactly match the amount by which the K371 overshoots the Harman Target - surely this is not a coincidence.
Meaning: The K371 was tuned to match the Harman Target on human ears/heads (on average), not necessarily on perfectly-sealing ear simulators.

Nice, thank you for these informations.
In my personal experience it explains why the bass amount of the K371 is right for me and not too much raised, even a few more decibels wouldn't be too much.

May I take advantage of your being on this thread to ask what you think of the Fiio FT3 with the velour pads?
I saw your measurements and these headphones seem close to the Harman target as well.

 

[tccalvin]

Since I'm now on my third pair of replacement pads (so I've had four pairs in total) I have finally caved in and ordered an HD600.

As much as I love these headphones, they are now on the verge of falling apart after 5 years. The headband adjustments got very loose and it has become almost impossible to get a good seal (I need to hold the phones with my hands). The sound has undergone many changes due to the frequent pad swaps. The leather on top of the headband is pretty much gone. The leathery material on the bottom of the headband, on the other hand, has been the most durable part and it's still as good as new. The included cables are also dead.

I feel like there needs to be a big (huge, even) asterisk when we recommend these headphones: they are disposable goods. The stock pads fall apart after a couple of years and it's pretty much impossible to get another pair of originals. Even if you manage to get them, they will fall apart just like the first pair, and by that time the headphone will have lost all its leather, the headband adjustments will have gone loose, and you will be on your second or third cable.

Maybe at some point I'll get a proper closed back replacement like the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X, since those have widely available replacement parts and will keep their sound signature through the years. From now on, the K371 will serve as my backups.

 

[Maxon]

Upgrade with natural glove leather. Fixed the problem with crack of headband -- you need to glue with elastic glue (ex. B-7000) in the green area.

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Hi, I ordered a new pair of k371. I have carefully studied your valuable offer. There are several questions. Regarding glue, why do you recommend elastic? I see an epoxy resin option, from here the second question is, is it possible to pull out a steel strip in principle?

 

[Evgenioni]

Hello. The steel plate is held in place by three metal pins and double-sided tape. It comes off very easily — I’d even say it falls off by itself This is the main reason for their fragility.

The plate and plastic headband need to be glued together, but the adhesive must be flexible. Super glue, epoxy resin, or any other rigid adhesive will simply crack and break the plastic. Only a very sticky and flexible adhesive will work—I’ve found that B7000 is a very suitable option. You only need to glue 1.5–2 cm sections along the ends of the metal part.

It’s especially important to thoroughly glue the very edge of the metal part, right behind the pin — this is where the headband tends to crack.

 

[fragzone]

Since I'm now on my third pair of replacement pads (so I've had four pairs in total) I have finally caved in and ordered an HD600.

As much as I love these headphones, they are now on the verge of falling apart after 5 years. The headband adjustments got very loose and it has become almost impossible to get a good seal (I need to hold the phones with my hands). The sound has undergone many changes due to the frequent pad swaps. The leather on top of the headband is pretty much gone. The leathery material on the bottom of the headband, on the other hand, has been the most durable part and it's still as good as new. The included cables are also dead.

I feel like there needs to be a big (huge, even) asterisk when we recommend these headphones: they are disposable goods. The stock pads fall apart after a couple of years and it's pretty much impossible to get another pair of originals. Even if you manage to get them, they will fall apart just like the first pair, and by that time the headphone will have lost all its leather, the headband adjustments will have gone loose, and you will be on your second or third cable.

Maybe at some point I'll get a proper closed back replacement like the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X, since those have widely available replacement parts and will keep their sound signature through the years. From now on, the K371 will serve as my backups.

Completely agree. They have probably been on my head for less than 5% of the time of my 6xx, and were bought 3 years after (2022), yet the pads and headband are pretty much turning to dust. I still have the original pads on my 6xx (yeh I know, they should be changed probably every 2 years at most for optimal sound quality) and they are in bad shape in regards to the natural plushiness, but they are still physically in-tact, and the same can be said for the headband. Actually, the same can be said for my Sundara and 770 pro, the latter of which I've had for 7 years and outside of some shabby looking pads, the headphone looks brand new. A shame.

 

[FTB]

It seems it's all or nothing with the k371.
I'm one of the happy guy who have no problems with it, except the normal earpads wear and tear.

 

[killdozzer]

Well, here they are.


This is one of those items I bought because of ASR. Because of the review, test and members' comments.

This is all very subjective, but I'm satisfied with these headphones. A lot of my earlier models had IMO bright and fatiguing highs. This model, I think, sounds like an equivalent of KEF R3 passive (non-Meta) speakers. They are very accurate, but have a pleasing and enjoyable mild bump in the lower region. This is to be expected when following harman's curve, right? Since it compensates for human's slightly lower sensitivity in the low frequencies.

The pads are extremely comfortable, I forget I have them on. A nice set of cables is included and the build is better than I hoped for. Looking at images earlier, they seemed flimsy to me. I thought it was some light composite material, but they are more sturdy than that and they have some heft to them.

I still haven't found a true competitor or a true challenger in the "as close to harman's curve for the price" (which is a category I just made up, but it's what matters to me).

I'm joining in recommending this product for those of you who are looking for such result.

 

[roladyzator]

Well, here they are.
View attachment 487280

This is one of those items I bought because of ASR. Because of the review, test and members' comments.

This is all very subjective, but I'm satisfied with these headphones. A lot of my earlier models had IMO bright and fatiguing highs. This model, I think, sounds like an equivalent of KEF R3 passive (non-Meta) speakers. They are very accurate, but have a pleasing and enjoyable mild bump in the lower region. This is to be expected when following harman's curve, right? Since it compensates for human's slightly lower sensitivity in the low frequencies.

The pads are extremely comfortable, I forget I have them on. A nice set of cables is included and the build is better than I hoped for. Looking at images earlier, they seemed flimsy to me. I thought it was some light composite material, but they are more sturdy than that and they have some heft to them.

I still haven't found a true competitor or a true challenger in the "as close to harman's curve for the price" (which is a category I just made up, but it's what matters to me).

I'm joining in recommending this product for those of you who are looking for such result.

In my experience, the earcup folding and rotating mechanism is where the internal cabling can break apart.
Eaxh time mine broke (while still under warranty, luckily), it was after folding them and traveling. If you can, avoid folding them to prolong their life.

The below post shows how exposed the wires inside the rotating parts are.

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/1brv3rt/akg_k371_full_repair_guide_headband_cable

 

[killdozzer]

In my experience, the earcup folding and rotating mechanism is where the internal cabling can break apart.
Eaxh time mine broke (while still under warranty, luckily), it was after folding them and traveling. If you can, avoid folding them to prolong their life.

The below post shows how exposed the wires inside the rotating parts are.

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/1brv3rt/akg_k371_full_repair_guide_headband_cable

That's some good advice. I don't need to travel and I don't walk around with my headphones on. I'll use these in my living room. My first thought was I should probably avois turning them in the same direction all the time as the wire will twist and break off. I'll just keep them in the listening position.

 

[MCH]

Be aware that they will self destroy anyways. The material the exterior of the pads and band is just too bad. Whenever you have a chance to buy replacement pads, do it.

 

[FTB]

Well, here they are.
View attachment 487280

This is one of those items I bought because of ASR. Because of the review, test and members' comments.

This is all very subjective, but I'm satisfied with these headphones. A lot of my earlier models had IMO bright and fatiguing highs. This model, I think, sounds like an equivalent of KEF R3 passive (non-Meta) speakers. They are very accurate, but have a pleasing and enjoyable mild bump in the lower region. This is to be expected when following harman's curve, right? Since it compensates for human's slightly lower sensitivity in the low frequencies.

The pads are extremely comfortable, I forget I have them on. A nice set of cables is included and the build is better than I hoped for. Looking at images earlier, they seemed flimsy to me. I thought it was some light composite material, but they are more sturdy than that and they have some heft to them.

I still haven't found a true competitor or a true challenger in the "as close to harman's curve for the price" (which is a category I just made up, but it's what matters to me).

I'm joining in recommending this product for those of you who are looking for such result.

My favorite thing these days is trying to find better than the K371 at the same price.
I found nothing yet. I tried Shure SRH840A, Fiio FT1, Simgot EP5, Jbl Tune 770NC, Beyerdynamic DT270 pro... All too bassy.

 

[killdozzer]

My favorite thing these days is trying to find better than the K371 at the same price.
I found nothing yet. I tried Shure SRH840A, Fiio FT1, Simgot EP5, Jbl Tune 770NC, Beyerdynamic DT270 pro... All too bassy.

I had Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, but I found them too bright for my taste.

 

[Maxon]

My favorite thing these days is trying to find better than the K371 at the same price.
I found nothing yet. I tried Shure SRH840A, Fiio FT1, Simgot EP5, Jbl Tune 770NC, Beyerdynamic DT270 pro... All too bassy.

try edition XS

 

[FTB]

This thing with no bass and 1-2 kHz dip ?
I'll pass.

 

[Maxon]

This thing with no bass and 1-2 kHz dip ?
I'll pass.

I'll pass.

 

[FTB]

I'll pass.

Yep but this is a forum called audio science and we rely on measurements.
No need to try headphones that don't measure well.

 

[markanini]

Assuming the measurement is a good predictor of individual FR, a small subset will prefer the stock responce, or tolerate it for other perceived strengths in the playback quality. I'm personally not a fan of open backs in general. I'd demo the XS with some familiar songs given it's long standing noteriety, just too se what the fuss is about. I can't picture myself blind buying it.

 

[Maxon]

Yep but this is a forum called audio science and we rely on measurements.
No need to try headphones that don't measure well.

Yep but this is a forum called audio science and we rely on measurements.
No need to try headphones that don't measure well.

I measure all the headphones that pass through my hands, and you? Do you distinguish between the real dimensions of some trending publications and the real ones? That's one thing... Another thing is that every manufacturer sees their philosophy in some of the kinks of the frequency response, so PEQ will always be useful.

 

[FTB]

I don't have measurements tool so I don't do them myself.
Are you saying Oratory measurements are not good ? Only a denigrating fool can think that. All my listening tests correlate with the quality measurements of Amir or Oratory. I feel the same dip(s), peak(s) or too much/not enough bass level.

I don't use PEQ, I want headphones sounding good without and the K371 do that. The others closed-back I quoted don't (too much bass).
The bass level of the AKG is good to my tastes so I don't want something that have nothing under 100 Hz nor a wide dip in the 1 kHz area.

The science about Harman target is here.
If you think bad frequency response is the manufacturer philosophy, you fool yourself and endorse bad quality headphones.

 

[FTB]

Assuming the measurement is a good predictor of individual FR, a small subset will prefer the stock responce, or tolerate it for other perceived strengths in the playback quality. I'm personally not a fan of open backs in general. I'd demo the XS with some familiar songs given it's long standing noteriety, just too se what the fuss is about. I can't picture myself blind buying it.

bad FR = bad product.

It seems some people like to fool themselves and thinking low quality products are good ones.