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Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions, so…
Today we’ll take a look at a couple of tried and true reference headphones and find out how they stack up against each other.
If you landed here from the K701 vs. K240 article, don’t fret. The K701 is almost identical to the K702, and because I own the 702, I thought I’d make a new post comparing the 2. The only slight difference between the K701 and K702 is a slightly more rolled-off sub-bass.
All specs, box contents, and pricing toward the end!
Build & Aesthetic
To start, both of these headphones were originally made in Austria but are now made in China.
Despite China getting a bad rep, they typically make very good products when it comes to audio gear and the like.
The K702 and K240 are no exception. Though both are pretty light, the K240 feels a bit cheaper by contrast and seems like something you’d find in the toy section of your local Walmart.
Both sport the famed “hammock style adjustment” headband mechanism, meaning you put the headphones on and they self-adjust to the size of your big ass head.
Both show “AKG” on the top of the headband, but the K702’s logo looks to be engraved and blends in with the color while the K240’s is adorned in hollow gold lettering.
The headband on both is rather flimsy whimsy and doesn’t contain padding, but the K240’s headband is plastic and a lot more malleable.
Both contain a mini-XLR detachable cable (9.8 ft.) w/ connection into the left cup and terminate in a 3.5mm jack at the business end.
One rather significant discrepancy is the pad choices: the K240’s shallow, faux leather padding causes your ears to touch the cloth covering the driver, and it gets worse the more you wear them.
In other words, the already flat-ish pads tend to flatten out considerably over time.
The K702’s pads also flatten out, but they’re deeper and made of velour while being a lot more comfortable over extending listening sessions.
Note: The pads in the above image (K702) are near identical replacements for the original blue. You can find them here.
The overall look of each is also quite different.
As alluded to, comfort on the K702 is much better. Clamping force on both is excellent, but the 702 is much better for longer sessions; whether that be for mixing, casual listening, gaming, etc.
The K240 tends to also dig into your earlobes, causing fatigue, discomfort, and even minor aches and pains. This is a bit subtle at first but gets worse the longer you listen.
By contrast, I can wear a K702 almost indefinitely and hardly ever feel the need to adjust it.
Overall Sound
- Playlist(s): Here, Here, Here.
- Amp/DACs Used: FiiO K11/K11 R2R, AudioQuest DragonFly Red
Bass
Kicking things off, the bass of each is similar in some ways and very different in others. The K702 opts for a mostly flat line bass with barely any roll-off in the sub-regions, while the K240 rolls the sub-bass off significantly after around 50-60Hz and boosts the areas after.
This has always been a point of contention and yes, it can sound rather lean at times. That said, overall bass articulation is fantastic on both, as you’re able to hear each individual note and follow it. But, if you’re looking for more slam and punch, the K702 wins here rather easily.
The K240 goes for a rise from 100-300Hz, and while this completely goes against my philosophy on how this mud region should be handled (i.e. it should be cut), for whatever reason the K240 gets away with it. In other words, it doesn’t sound muddy, bloomy, or bloated.
Sort of.
Now that I think about it, I believe part of the problem with the K240 is in fact the 200-300Hz area. It tends to get in the way of an otherwise excellent sound, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
Many complain that the K702 lacks punch, but I would say it depends on the track in question. Pay attention to how the music was recorded, mixed, and mastered.
Oftentimes, it’s the song and not necessarily the headphones. If we’re looking at it objectively, there’s a small boost from 60-90Hz, and this is always ideal when evaluating good low-end tuning. With hardly any roll-off to speak of, I think any qualms about the bass are unfounded.
That said, this is in no way a “bass head” outfit and should be treated as such. If you’re craving some extra slam, try a DT990 or my new closed back go-to favorite in the FiiO FT1.
Mid-Range
The mid-range on each is also a bit different, as the K240 dips after 1kHz and comes back up around 2-3. By contrast, the K702 keeps the former flat and peaks 2-3kHz by roughly 4-5dB.
I find the K702’s mids just about the perfect way to tune this area, as you’re getting presence and forwardness without the honk and resonance.
Some complain that the K240 sounds a bit repressed/clammy at times, and I can certainly understand the sentiment. In comparing the 2 side by side with Alex Isley’s “We’ll Always Have Paris” the K240 sounds more muffled vs. the clearer, airer sound of the K702.
Treble
Treble also represents another semi-subtle difference. On Ryan Beatty’s “Dark Circles”, the hi-hats from 2:06 onward feel and sound pretty close all things considered.
Neither is sibilant, both have good presence in the mix, but the K702’s rendition feels livelier and a tad crispier. The K240’s are slightly dulled in comparison and take somewhat of a backseat while being more subdued. I think this has a lot to do with the open nature of the K702.
Speaking of, let’s discuss Soundstage.
Soundstage
It’s also rather apparent how much more open the K702 is.
The K240 feels very intimate by contrast, as vocals and the like feel closer to you. This was immediately apparent on Snail Mail’s “Valentine.” Her voice is right there, while the K702 makes it seem a bit farther off. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just means her voice feels more integrated into the Soundstage since the K702 attempys to closely mimic the effect of speakers.
Resolution & Timbre
Because of this and the subtle mid/high bass issue on the K240, the K702’s resolution is better in most instances.
There’s more air around instruments, sounds have room to breathe, and the overall portrait is wider, deeper, and significantly more immersive.
The K240 feels claustrophobic and somewhat boxed in by contrast, while The K702 feels natural and effortless, as if everything is placed correctly in the soundscape and distanced far enough apart to preavent blobbing and blurring.
As a small exercise, take your hands and place them around 6 or so inches from your head. That’s more or less the K702. Now move them in very close to your ears. That’s a K240.
Monitoring & Reference
While I love the K240 Studio as a benchmark option below $100, I think the K702 outclasses here and would make for a much more predictable rendering of what’s going on in your tracks.
Because it does a better job with spacing, you can more easily hear what’s going on like Marvin Gaye.
The overall frequency response is also a lot more neutral and balanced, making for a much easier time evaluating sound as is.
Genre Pairing
That’s not to say the K240 is a bad option. In fact, it’s actually better for certain types of music than the 702, and I’ve been saying as much for many years.
In my estimation, the 240 was made specifically for, and sounds sublime with Motown, Soul, Oldies, and older Rock recordings. Instrument timbre is a huge reason why, as the unique tone of instruments really comes through in an almost heart stopping way.
- Required Reading: AKG K240 Studio Review: Shattering Expectations Since A Long Time Ago
You can technically listen to and enjoy hip-hop and harder stuff with them, but again, keep in mind the bass roll-off and lack of slam. While both are headphones for analyzing bass lines rather than feeling them rattle your brain, the K240’s bass is significantly lighter.
Gaming & Film
Again, because of its openness, air, and excellent Soundstage, the K702 wins rather easily. I’d never rely on a K240 Studio for gaming or film, but I suppose it could work in a pinch if you had nothing else.
With the K702, you’ll be able to hear footsteps closer and farther away; a huge asset when playing FPS shooters. Directional cues are much better with a 702 as well. There are times when I feel like someone’s knocking at my door and it’s not an exaggeration.
Back when I was playing Fallout 4 a lot, I used to get up and check to make sure, only to find out that the sound was coming from the game. This type of thing will never happen with a K240 Studio.
Amplification
Both have a 62 Ohm Impedance and around 91dB Sensitivity, meaning they’re super inefficient and need more current from an Amp to reach acceptable volume levels.
Still, I’m demoing both side by side with the FiiO K11 & K11 R2R on medium gain and you won’t be pushing it much past 40-50/100.
Final Verdict
The biggest takeaway here is the portrayal of music. Despite its semi-open nature, The K240 is much more “in your head” vs. the grand, open, spacious, and airy sound of the K702.
I think the 702 edges in most categories though I’d probably give a slight edge to the 240 when it comes to Timbre. My reasoning for this is that because the 240 is more intimate and closer, you’re able to more easily hone in on the tone of instruments and how real they can sound. It can be quite incredible at times!
Resolution is also pretty close and could go either way depending on the track. In some cases, the 240’s resolution seems a bit better, while in others I like the 702’s more.
I also like the K702 better as a perfect all-around headphone. It works well in pretty much any scenario, and thus a huge reason why I have one on my desk nd use it almost exclusively when not demoing other products.
Put another way, I have to be in a “mood” to listen to a K240, and even though I like the headphones, they do sound somewhat muffled when stacked up against a 702. This can be rather jarring because the way each presents music is radically different.
That said, if you’re looking for a more intimate experience, the K240 is an excellent headphone in its own right and I do listen to it often. Just not as much as a 702.
The K702 is my go-to for nearly everything and is always a good purchase.
AKG K702
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check B&H! | Check eBay!
In The Box
K702 Headphone
Detachable Mini-XLR cable
1/4″ Adapter
Warranty Card
Specs/Graph
Credit: Crinacle
- Type: Open back.
- Fit: Circumaural (Over-Ear).
- Frequency response: 10Hz to 39,800 kHz.
- Impedance: 62 Ohms.
- Sensitivity: 91dB/mW.
- Material: Leather headband, plastic, velour padding.
- Color: Midnight Blue/Silver/Grey
- Cable: Detachable Mini-XLR (9.8 ft.)
AKG K240 Studio
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater!
In The Box
AKG K240 Studio Professional Semi-Open Stereo Headphones
Gold-Plated 1/4″ Adapter
Detachable Cable
Limited 2-Year Warranty
Specs/Graph
Shoutout to Crinacle for the graph
- Color: Black/Gold.
- Frequency Response: 16Hz-22kHz.
- Type: Closed-back.
- Fit: Supra-aural (On-ear).
- Plug: 1/8″ / 3.5mm TRS
- Weight: 8.5 Oz. / 240g
- Impedance: 55 Ohm.
- Sensitivity: 91dB.
- Load Rating: 200 mW.
- Cable Length: 9.8ft. / 3m
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this AKG K702 vs. K240 Studio Comparison and came away with some valuable insight.
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Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Which of these headphones is right for you? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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