Reference sound for the "small" purse
frequency range: 10 - 39800 Hz | sound pressure level: 105 dB | impedance: 62 Ohm | dynamic
It requires either a full head of hair, or some other headgear if you want to use the K702 longer.
Sound 8.2
Bass Mids Trebles Stage Imaging
8 8 8 8.5 8.5
Handling 8
Processing Comfort Earpads Headband Weight
9 7 8 6 231 grams
Total 8.1
Price 130 €
Quickcheck
Pro Contra - clear and detailed - slightly volume sensitive in the mids
- wide stage - bass not very powerful
- neutral/warm tuning - headband quickly becomes uncomfortable (old version)
- removable cable - isolation
Intro
With the K702, AKG has a reference handset for studio and mixing that is not only affordable, but also lives up to its ambitions. It is neutral with a warm tone and sounds very authentic, especially in voices, but also a bit sober.
Handling
Plastic, metal, leather, velour - the AKG K702 is a harmonious mix of different materials. Despite its protruding ear cups, it appears quite filigree and also of high quality. It also makes a robust impression which is necessary for everyday use in (professional) music production.
The K702 not only has "over-ear" written on it, the ear cups actually enclose the complete ear without it bumping against the case or the velour padding (can squeak when wearing glasses). Due to the open design this does not contribute anything to the isolation (almost non-existent), but it gives you a good wearing comfort, at least as far as the ears are concerned, although I would like the pads to be a bit more soft/yielding.
What AKG had in mind for the headband, however, remains a mystery. It adapts to the shape of the head with the help of rubber trappers, but it has very rigid, wide "pimples", which can quickly lead to headaches. They are very hard and do not offer any kind of padding. If they had simply been omitted, the K702 would certainly have been more comfortable with a flat leather strap. It requires either a full head of hair or some other headgear if you want to use the K702 for a longer period of time.
The cable is detachable and has a 3.5mm connector which can be adapted to 6.3mm (adapter included). The connection to the headphone (one-sided guide) is a mini-XLR connector.
Update: The newer production series probably have a flat headband, so the headaches are history.
Sound
Bass
The bass is not really fun in the sense of quantity. But it doesn't have to be and it wouldn't be very helpful if the bass was distorted for mastering or recording by a boost. It's quite sterile, but very accurate with a slight warmth that covers the signature. It is not at home in the absolute low frequency range, at least it is hard to locate. But you can feel that it exists if you hold your hand on the ear cups or press them closer to the ear. As a reference it is appealing, as a fun sounding source it is rather less so. However, it does not act anemic and has its musical side, only pressure is not built up.
Mids
Slightly shrill and slightly subdued. In direct comparison to the Q701, they lack a bit of assertiveness and you get the impression they're a bit washed-out, but basically they're clear and balanced, with a slight push in the upper mids that gives them energy, sometimes with too much commitment and aggressiveness (at increased volume). Tonally I can't blame them much, but I lack a little maturity and body. Voices and instruments sound mostly authentic, but not very exciting. Soberly describes the mids quite well, with pleasure in detail.
Trebles
The highs are rather sunny than shady children. However, they do not overdo it with brightness, but play very calmly and unagitatedly with a touch of warmth. They have a rather airy and transparent character, but I have to listen more closely every now and then to find details that are much easier to access, for example in the K812. Here, a little more attention has been paid to safety in order to remain as fatigue-free as possible. However, I don't have the feeling that information is being withheld from me, it just requires a little more concentration. The slight emphasis on sibilants should not be suppressed.
Stage
I don't want to generalize, but open headphones usually have an advantage in the stage extension from the design alone. The K702 is no exception and is indeed very spacious. However, I do hear slight weaknesses in the depth and also in the vertical. But in the width the K702 cuts a very good figure. But the price is high, because due to its non-existent isolation the headphone is more or less only usable in the studio or in your own 4 walls.
Imaging
Voices are placed a little more in the mix than in the foreground which gives you more of a feeling of being inside the music than in the audience. Wind instruments are more "In Your Face". Soundwise more is happening in the stereo image (width), without building up too many layers in height or depth, but you still get a well structured 3D image. The separation is a bit too strong on left/right and could be a bit more differentiated.
Outro
The AKG K702 scores with tonal accuracy, a wide stage and a neutral signature with a slight warmth. However, the mids can be a bit demanding, the highs might like to act a bit more lively and the bass certainly doesn't make any bass friends happy, but plays rather dry and neutral.
The K702 is certainly not a fun headphone, but rather serves as a reference even if it has room for improvement in all disciplines. However, I see it as competitive in its price range and technically and tonally competent.
The audibility can be a bit limited (depending on the genre) by the upper mids and the headband comfort. It is also hardly usable on the road if you like the people around you.
Thanks to Sattler Electronic Showtronic AG for providing the test headphones.
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