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Ah, the K712. The pretty boy of the 700 line. Who is the headphone for? What does it sound like?
How do the Terminator and Solid Snake play in? All of these answers and more, comin’ up.
Greetings bass head and Welcome aboard. Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear), all over again, so…
At A Glance
Preview
Title
AKG Pro Audio K712 PRO Over-Ear Open Reference Studio Headphones, Black, 4.76 x 7.83 x 4.45 inches (2458X00140)
Describing the K712 is rather interesting, as it represents a somewhat stark contrast to both the K612 and K702.
For one, it’s a lot less neutral than either of those headphones.
Bass
Starting things off, the low end here is, how shall we say, a little overly accentuated in the mud regions around 200-300Hz. Crinacle’s graph above represents pretty much exactly how it sounds.
Yes, it’s a gentle-ish rise, but the bass ends up coming across as too warm, gooey, hazy, clammy, wooly, overly mellow, insert word salad here __________.
Please keep in mind that the way AKG handles it is still light years better than most of the low-grade dog food consumer trash you’ll come across, but for the price of these headphones, it’s still an issue.
It also depends a lot on the source file in question, but generally speaking, overly boosted bass in a mix may not translate quite as well as you expect with a K712. This is why, as a producer, I’m such a stickler for how bass is tuned.
A better option would have been to accentuate 60-90Hz where most of the relevant information resides, and then cut the mud regions. But alas, here we are.
The reason the 712’s bass doesn’t work quite as well is because it sacrifices clarity and resolution for emphasis. This is a huge issue in consumer products, and considering the superior tuning of the K702, it feels like AKG was simply experimenting here.
The thump is there, but it’s a bit sloppy. Does that make sense?
That said, the mid-bass does work incredibly well for delicate Jazz drums as the emphasis is just right to bring them out and have them hit with some impact while not sounding muddy.
Mid-Range
The mids are mostly handled pretty well, but you’ll notice a relaxed, laid-back character even though the dip recovers and comes back up around 2kHz. So I’m mostly OK with the curve, as resolution is good overall.
Vocals and instruments are mostly going to sound present and accounted for, but again, there’s a liveliness factor missing in these which is something I couldn’t quite reconcile in my time demoing them.
Treble
The treble opts for a dip around the sibilance regions of 9-10kHz in favor of some air after 10k. Over the years I’ve come to appreciate this decision, as the 712 is never going to sound essy or bitey, but also still doesn’t sound overly dark or veiled.
Could it stand some sparkle?
Absolutely.
You’ll sometimes feel that there’s a sense of brilliance missing, which is a running theme in the response of the 712. At times everything just feels like the headphones lack vibrance and energy.
That said, hi-hats sound natural and lush, cymbals and crashes never put a grimace on my face, and there’s absolutely zero fatigue due to a metallic, artificial-sounding overall portrait.
Soundstage
The hallmark excellent Soundstage is here in spades. It’s wide, open, and immersive, working incredibly well for gaming and film, but also mixing and EQing.
Because the portrait is so grand, you’re able to hear mistakes in a mix a lot more easily, plus the separation of sounds is very good too.
Ever felt like sounds were layered on top of each other in other headphones? Ever think you knew a mix like the back of your hand?
Well, you don’t until you hear something like a 712. It reveals a lot of the things you missed in other poor headphones and is one of the reasons why people get stuck inside the audiophile rabbit hole with no hope of ever seeing the light of day ever again.
Genre Pairing
I think the K712 works very well for Classical, and should primarily be used for Gaming, Film, and lighter genres, but I still think it’s a decent option for somewhat bass-heavier stuff like Hip-Hop, Indie Pop, EDM, etc.
Just don’t go in expecting it to melt your face off.
There’s this ever so slight notion that the 712 is maybe a tad veiled at times; as if there’s an incredibly thin sheet over the sound (like the one you sleep with).
It also isn’t the tightest-sounding signature around, and transient response isn’t the greatest, but it still sounds pretty good for the most part.
Out-of-your-head moments aplenty, it’s the type of headphone you’ll want to explore the intricacies of music with because you can keep it on your head almost indefinitely.
Speaking of, let’s get into comfort and build.
Comfort & Build
The pads here are certainly the softest out of the line and feel wonderful to the touch.
Comfort levels on all K700 series models are roughly the same; i.e. phenomenal. The clamping force is very similar as well.
The headphones also don’t move much when they’re on your head, even as I sit here trying to get it to move and looking completely silly in the process. xD
I’d say the K712 fits a tad more snug like a bug in a rug, but the difference is fairly minimal if we’re being honest.
Hammock Style Adjustment
The much-preferred hammock style adjustment with dual overarching brackets makes their return (this time in orange), and the headphone sits incredibly well on your head as usual.
There’s no padding on the headband, but you won’t need any.
It’s lightweight and nimble enough to where you’re rarely feeling it on the top of your melon either.
The outside of the cups reveals “AKG Reference Headphones” as with the others, but you’ll also notice “K712” right below on the outside of the driver housing.
The headphone’s left side reveals a detachable mini-XLR and terminates in your standard 3.5mm jack.
Finally, the headphone comes with 2 cables: one coiled and one straight.
Amplification
Will you need an amp?
Most certainly yes. The K712 has a somewhat low impedance at 62 Ohm but is also incredibly inefficient at around 84-88dB; even lower than the K702 at 91dB/mW.
It’s important to note that nearly all websites advertise AKG headphones by the Volt for whatever reason (105dB/V), but this tends to confuse people because they end up thinking it’s very sensitive (and therefore efficient) when it’s not.
In short, the K712 is not Sensitive at all (read: it’s incredibly inefficient) and does need a bit of power to get pumping.
I wouldn’t go ape sh** over it though, as the “Power-Hungry” claim parroted by everyone and their Grandma over the last 5-10 years is a bit overdone like.. you guessed it, your mom’s meatloaf.
You’ll get those same out-of-your-head moments in film too, as the K712 spaces things out quite well.
Width and depth are fairly excellent, and you’ll be able to pinpoint where sounds are coming from rather quickly and easily.
If I was forced to choose, I may pick the 712 over the 702 for film, but I like the 702 a bit more for gaming as it’s not quite as laid back.
I think the crisp, snappy nature of the 702 tends to perform better when you’re trying to hear what’s going on, but the 712 is right there.
It’s just a matter of the 712 being a bit warmer/glossier and thus perhaps a bit more difficult to discern footsteps and the like; again, not a huge discrepancy but should be noted.
One thing I noticed in Terminator 2 that I had never heard before was the subtlety of the music in the background.
There are a lot of tense moments in the film with more complex musical scores than you would think; especially with a headphone like the K712. This goes back to what we discussed earlier about resolution, separation, and overall Soundstage.
Video game designer Hideo Kojima has always been inspired and influenced by James Cameron’s work, and Terminator 2’s Judgment Day is no exception.
Kojima pays homage to The Terminator. Metal Gear Solid 2: Son’s Of Liberty (2001).
T800’s introduction. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
Aside from the clear homage/reference to Arnold’s T800 in Sons of Liberty via Solid Snake’s character, there’s a very subtle hint that Harry Gregson Williams also borrowed a bit from Judgment Day’s music in his amazing score.
It’s one of those things that you likely won’t notice unless you’re a die-hard fan of the Metal Gear Solid franchise (as I am), but it’s there nonetheless.
Here you can compare and decide.
Don’t listen to the rhythm or beat, pay attention to the sounds themselves and you’ll see that Williams was inspired by Brad Fiedel’s obscure synthesizers/instruments.
The point is that I could only make out this almost minute revelation with a headphone like the K712.
It’s so delicate in the way it presents sound that you’re almost hyper-focused on some of the smallest nuances of the composition.
This is a detail lover’s headphone for sure.
Video Discussion
Closing Thoughts
The K712 isn’t without some minor issues, namely the sometimes overly glossy (but still rather subtle) sheen over the music, as well as the bass wooliness discussed, but by and large, this is still a good performer overall.
That said, I think it’s overpriced in today’s market (especially for the issues it has) so my recommendation is the K702; a much snappier, livelier headphone with a more neutral bass response and better resolution.
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this AKG K712 Review and came away with some valuable insight.
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What do you think about the K712? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
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Gaming & Film
More coming soon!
Nas – God’s Son (2002)
Nas – King’s Disease (2020)
Kota The Friend – To Kill A Sunrise (2020)
9th Wonder – God’s Stepson (2003)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Terminator T2: Judgement Day (1991)
Photo Gallery
AKG K712
4.9
Build Quality
5.0/5
Sound Quality
4.7/5
Comfort
4.9/5
Soundstage
5.0/5
Pros
Great build even despite its weight
Fantastic imaging and Soundstage
Smooth and neutral response; great for most genres
Stu is determined to help you make sound decisions, and strives to deliver the best and most in depth content on the internet! In his spare time, he likes to fish, paint, play guitar, pray, rap, make beats, take photos, record videos, graphic design, and more. His sense of humour, coupled with a knack for excellence and strict attention to detail are what allow him to stand out in an crowded industry.
Hi Stu
Did you try the K712 earpads on your K702 by any chance? I have read that K702 + K712 earpads = K711 (i.e. the K702 approaches the sound of the K712 but not quite).
Keep up the good work!
James
Hey man, that’s interesting! No, I haven’t. I did notice (and I think I mentioned this in the article) that the 712’s pads are a bit softer than the 702’s. Thank you for the love!
What’s up Stu, hope you’re still enjoying those HE400se cans we talked about haha. Idk if you’re into EQing much, but I got a preset for my K712 Pro and tweaked it a bit and honestly these are insanely nice. I have both the K702 and 712 and the EQ’d 712 is my go-to now. I feel like the K702 soundstage might be a TAD bit too big? If that makes any sense. I feel like I enjoy music, movies, games, with the EQ’d 712 more than the eq’d k702. Honestly I really love both but I’ve been enjoying the shit out of my EQ’d 712. I think another thing I really love about the 712 is the build quality. It really feels like a good-ass pair of headphones that will last a long time.
I’ve actually been doing a lot of FPS gaming and trying to figure out which is the best for positional/directional cues when sound whoring. I found the 400se to be too boxed in and claustrophobic for that, but the DEVA seems to be a bit more open.
As far as the 702, I’m still leaning towards it overall, but the 9500 has really made a push and is almost as good to me. In fact, it’s very close between those 2. I also tried the Arya but need more time with it to make a determination.
I guess the best way I can describe it is that I had the 702 on and didn’t take it off at all. Then I tried the 9500 to compare and haven’t gone back in probably 2 weeks. It will be interesting to see what my impressions are when trying the 702 again and if it’s better or worse.
The other thing I noticed about the 9500 (and this is something I’ve said for a long time) is that its ability to pick out micro-detail is just so incredibly good – to the point where things in the game actually feel and sound more fully fleshed out. For instance, you may think you know how something sounds exactly until you hear it with a 9500 and discover there were things about it that just don’t come through with other headphones.
This is probably not something that matters all that much, as in, the directional aspects (which it’s also excellent at) are more important, but it just reinforced the idea that the 9500 at its price is a crime and has been for years now.
That’s cool about the 712! Unfortunately, I don’t have it here anymore or I would try your preset. I had to send it back to Marko in Finlandia LOL.
Ditto on the build of the 702. I’m actually not that careful with it and it’s holding up really well – a lot better than I expected, actually. It’s very malleable and durable to the point where you can casually toss it around and it’s gonna ask for more like Mick Foley.?
Hey Stu. How’s the instrument separation of K712 compared to K702? I like never seen the discussion of instrument separation for the K702 in the Before Buy article. Does it have something related to the soundstage?
Besides, does K702 able to hear the details in the Terminator 2 music you mentioned above?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Great question. I’d probably say the 702’s is a bit better due to the 712’s ever so slight wooly character and elevated bass. And yeah, as far as resolution, it’s really hard to beat a K702 in the mid-fi price range.
8 comments
Hi Stu
Did you try the K712 earpads on your K702 by any chance? I have read that K702 + K712 earpads = K711 (i.e. the K702 approaches the sound of the K712 but not quite).
Keep up the good work!
James
Hey man, that’s interesting! No, I haven’t. I did notice (and I think I mentioned this in the article) that the 712’s pads are a bit softer than the 702’s. Thank you for the love!
What’s up Stu, hope you’re still enjoying those HE400se cans we talked about haha. Idk if you’re into EQing much, but I got a preset for my K712 Pro and tweaked it a bit and honestly these are insanely nice. I have both the K702 and 712 and the EQ’d 712 is my go-to now. I feel like the K702 soundstage might be a TAD bit too big? If that makes any sense. I feel like I enjoy music, movies, games, with the EQ’d 712 more than the eq’d k702. Honestly I really love both but I’ve been enjoying the shit out of my EQ’d 712. I think another thing I really love about the 712 is the build quality. It really feels like a good-ass pair of headphones that will last a long time.
Hey Skelly!
I’ve actually been doing a lot of FPS gaming and trying to figure out which is the best for positional/directional cues when sound whoring. I found the 400se to be too boxed in and claustrophobic for that, but the DEVA seems to be a bit more open.
As far as the 702, I’m still leaning towards it overall, but the 9500 has really made a push and is almost as good to me. In fact, it’s very close between those 2. I also tried the Arya but need more time with it to make a determination.
I guess the best way I can describe it is that I had the 702 on and didn’t take it off at all. Then I tried the 9500 to compare and haven’t gone back in probably 2 weeks. It will be interesting to see what my impressions are when trying the 702 again and if it’s better or worse.
The other thing I noticed about the 9500 (and this is something I’ve said for a long time) is that its ability to pick out micro-detail is just so incredibly good – to the point where things in the game actually feel and sound more fully fleshed out. For instance, you may think you know how something sounds exactly until you hear it with a 9500 and discover there were things about it that just don’t come through with other headphones.
This is probably not something that matters all that much, as in, the directional aspects (which it’s also excellent at) are more important, but it just reinforced the idea that the 9500 at its price is a crime and has been for years now.
That’s cool about the 712! Unfortunately, I don’t have it here anymore or I would try your preset. I had to send it back to Marko in Finlandia LOL.
Ditto on the build of the 702. I’m actually not that careful with it and it’s holding up really well – a lot better than I expected, actually. It’s very malleable and durable to the point where you can casually toss it around and it’s gonna ask for more like Mick Foley.?
Thanks for the review! Have you tried the x60 or x65 from Austrian Audio? They are the successors of AKG.
My pleasure, Mariano! No, but you’ve got me curious! I will have to check them out. I had no idea!
Hey Stu. How’s the instrument separation of K712 compared to K702? I like never seen the discussion of instrument separation for the K702 in the Before Buy article. Does it have something related to the soundstage?
Besides, does K702 able to hear the details in the Terminator 2 music you mentioned above?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Hey Wailok!
Great question. I’d probably say the 702’s is a bit better due to the 712’s ever so slight wooly character and elevated bass. And yeah, as far as resolution, it’s really hard to beat a K702 in the mid-fi price range.