AKG K52 High Performance Lightweight Closed-Back Monitoring Headphones

Product Information

AKG is known for making professional-grade gear that can stand the test of time, and the K52 headphones are no exception. We put them through extreme testing and abuse to ensure they'll handle anything you throw at them: Our regimen of drop-tests simulates exaggerated falls. 80,000 cable bend cycles at both end points ensure the cable won't break or underperform. And intensive driver testing - a prolonged series of 3W bursts each half second - means that the drivers won't fail when you really need them.

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence. The K52 headphones are no exception to AKG's reputation for providing high-quality equipment that stands the test of time. To ensure that the headphones can endure whatever is thrown at them, they were put through rigorous testing and abuse. Exaggerated drips are used in their drop testing. The cable is guaranteed to not break or underperform after 80,000 cycles of bending at both ends. The headband slider mechanism works well and is a relatively rare feature at this price. And sound quality impresses for the money: there's plenty of low-end oomph (although it can occasionally overpower more delicate compositions) while there's plenty of clarity and insight. A solid, four-star effort.Compared to the K52, a firmer leatherette cover is used (like the K72), which seems more robust, but doesn't add much to the comfort. With the ear cushions the comfort looks a little different. For the first moment, it's not bad at all, as they cover the whole ear and find a good mix of padding and stability. However, the pads are quite flat and therefore the ear bumps against the inside. This can cause unpleasant pressure in the long run. At the price called I find the workmanship and functionality very successful. The frame of the headband is made of metal, whereas the ear cups are completely made of plastic. Mastering is important because it makes your song sound perfect on all devices – in the car, your phone speaker and even on Spotify. The headphones are so evenly balanced that we could listen to them for hours without ever getting tired. There are no bright edges or booming basslines.

And because the cable's permanently attached, ruining the cable will ruin the headphones as well. This is made more frustrating by the fact that AKG sells other headphones at a similar price that includes a removable (though non-standard) cable. This headset has an attractive, yet simple, appearance that is also fairly robust. This headset is comprised of a metal and plastic mix. Steel is used for the headband, while plastic is used for the earcups. When it comes to nailing the correct grip, it can involve following the same part for hours at a time - and that's where comfort comes into play. This headphone features a one-of-a-kind self-adjusting headband that automatically adjusts to the optimal fit for each band member. There's no need to worry with sensitive sizing systems that could fail over time. We have all had that pair of headphones that just never sits right on your head. The band is either too large or two small and never finds that right place that just hugs your head properly. That is why AKG came up with this self adjusting headband that fits itselves to your head instantly. No more adjusting as you change cans between band members. Here's what AKG say about the K52 Studio Headphones:

AKG K240 Studio

You can upgrade to the K72 and K92 if you require a wider frequency range, increased sonic detail and improved features. Compared to the K52, a firmer imitation leather cover is used, which looks more robust, but doesn't add much in the way of comfort. The rhythm is agile and full of energy. There could be more to the way the K52s handles dynamics, but it’s enjoyable enough. The AKG K52 Headphones promise to give great performance whether you're in the control room, the live room, or outside the studio listening to music. They provide the proper amount of performance in a straightforward, but ultimately efficient chassis. You'll be hard pressed to find something that does a better job at this price than these headphones do.

There’s a great deal of space for the piano notes in Birdy’s Shelter to flourish. Notes hit solidly, with enough detail and harmonies to keep you engaged.

These hugely impressive wired headphones are six-time What Hi-Fi? Award winners. Excelling in sound and style, they're blessed with aluminium ear cups, soft leather ear pads and dynamic sound on a grand scale. Thrilling levels of detail and near-flawless balance would be enough to set them apart from the competition. But factor in the affordable price, not to mention the portable design, and the Y50 are true show stoppers.

Even at full price, these are a great pair of headphones for anyone who wants an inexpensive pair of headphones for their desk or home studio. If there are still differences between the K52 and K72, the belief that I have a different product on my ears when I go from the K72 to the K92 leaves me. Here the differentiation is so marginal that I would certainly fail the blind test. I find the bass to be quite qualitative, even if it convinces me a bit more in the low frequencies than in the mid and upper bass, where it doesn't always have the desired firmness and sometimes sounds a bit hollow. WhatsApp Improves Group Calls Experience, Lets Users Call Up to 31 Participants With Latest Update: ReportDesigned by the company whose mics and headphones have helped create some of the world’s most iconic recordings, the durable K52 headphones deliver great sound wherever your music takes you.