Hi friend and Welcome!
The AKG K451 vs. K452 is a bit of an odd comparison, given the discrepancies within reviews. Before we get into what those are, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this review
For the purposes of this review, I will outline the K451 and then compare it with the K452 at the bottom.
- Specifications
- Summary
- Pros
- Cons
- Video Review
- Amp/DAC requirements
- Who these headphones benefit?
- Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- Consensus/Conclusion
- Similarities and Differences
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!
AKG K451
Specifications
- price: check amazon! | check eBay!
- type: closed-back
- fit: supra-aural (on-ear)
- impedance: 32 ohms
- frequency response: 11 – 29,500 Hz
- material: faux leather, plastic
- color: black, silver accents
- noise cancelling: No
- plug: 3.5mm
- inline volume: Yes
- weight: 120g
- cable length: 1.2m
- case included: Yes
Summary
These have been somewhat of a challenge to concisely summarize due to a lot of differing opinions. First and foremost, they are a supra-aural (they rest on your ear) pair of closed-back headphones best suited for on-the-go situations. Closed back vs. open back headphones.
A consistent gripe was that they will become uncomfortable and hot on your ears after a while, not unlike other on-ear contenders. As far as build, most people were satisfied with it, although a few mentioned that they are a bit flimsy. They come with a very nice carrying case and fold up well for portable excursions.
A big thing to note is that while they aren’t noise cancelling, they will isolate sound pretty well. Just be aware that if you’re listening at high volumes, people will be able to hear it. This is semi-strange for a closed-back model, but something to take into account nonetheless.
The inline volume control is a nice feature that nearly everyone loved, as well as the packaging overall.
Pros
- Good packaging, good carrying case, convenient inline remote.
- Good build overall.
- Comes with a zipper box, plain chord, and a chord with iPhone controls.
- Compact, light, portable.
- The cable can be replaced, is detachable.
- Forgiving of lower bit rate. Bit rate vs. sample depth (If you’re really nerdy and want to find out more about how your computer captures audio :P).
- Decent sound isolation, but not so much at high volumes.
Cons
- Uncomfortable after long periods, can get a bit hot.
- Lacks sparkle in the treble range.
- Rolled off, recessed highs.
- Bass too muddy. More on that in a bit.
Video Review!
Amp/DAC requirements
At 32 Ohm, None!
Who these headphones benefit?
They do well with people on the go, who need a portable solution with convenient features and size.
I didn’t really come across too many specific genres, but a couple I saw were:
- Rock
- Alternative
- Classical
Other than that, 1 or 2 people said they do well with every genre, but take that with a grain of salt.
Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- I couldn’t really find a definitive answer on the bass. Some liked it others didn’t. Some said it was too muddy, others claimed it was nice and had impact. Still, there were some who said there just wasn’t enough! A lot of conflicting reports.
- Some said they were accurate and transparent, while others said the exact opposite; that they weren’t detailed, transparent, or accurate at all.
- One said the audio jack broke after 2 years, now replaced and working fine.
- A few said one ear shorted out after a few months.
- A few people said the K451’s were flat-out awful, while others remarked that a burn-in time is necessary. 10-20 hours.
- They don’t have a prominent mid-range, but it’s accurate and has a decent presence. It is a bit recessed due to the low end being a bit heavy (according to some).
- 1 or 2 people said the chord is was a bit thin.
- They can get hot, so may affect your ears in warm weather/working out after some time.
- There weren’t too many commenting on the sound stage. One person on Head-Fi said it was cramped, another on a different site said it was great. What is Soundstage?
- The K452’s in the U.S. have not been reviewed at all yet! However, in the UK, there are quite a bit of reviews.
Consensus/Conclusion
A compact, portable, and convenient set of headphones good for on the go. It May get uncomfortable/hot after long periods, and the sound signature overall isn’t certain. The inline volume feature is nice, and while they aren’t noise cancelling, they do a decent job of isolation.
Similarities & Differences
Similarities
The K452’s are pretty much an identical set, with a few subtle differences.
Differences
- The K452 has a mic/one-button remote cable that works with Android phones, while the K451 has a mic/3-button cable that works with Apple phones.
- The K451 has won a few awards, namely Product of the Year at What Hi-Fi.
- The K451’s are more expensive.
- The K452’s come in White and Powder Blue.
Final Word
While these are decent, I’m not going to recommend them today because I wouldn’t buy them myself. There’s just too much back and forth for me to be confident in my purchasing decision, plus the asking price isn’t justified at all. I do have a better alternative for you though, in the form of the Sennheiser Momentum if you’re looking for a portable closed-back option! They get a lot of praise and are comparable to the K451’s, but light years better. Recently I compared them with the open back Sennheiser HD 598; two headphones that complement each other nicely. Check out my official comparison:
SENNHEISER HD 598 vs. MOMENTUM!
Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope I’ve clearly outlined the AKG K451 vs. K452, and given you something to think about..
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Let me know down below or Contact me!
I would love to hear from you..
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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