K701 Open-Back Reference Headphones

The AKG K701 is an open-back, over-ear headphone built for precise studio reference listening. AKG was the first headphone manufacturer to use flat-wire technology, and in the K701 that technology gives each part of a mix a distinct, accurate placement in the stereo image. The open-back design adds agility and spaciousness on top of extended highs and a punchy low end, for a sound that stays accurate rather than exaggerated.

The K701 connects with a fixed 3 m cable and a stereo 3.5 mm plug with a 6.3 mm screw-on adapter, so it works with both studio interfaces and gear that takes a larger jack. At 235 g, it is light enough for long reference sessions, though the open-back design means it is best kept in a quiet room rather than a noisy space.

The K701 suits mixing rooms and any setup where an engineer needs to judge stereo placement and tonal balance with precision, and it also works well for critical hi-fi listening. It is built for listeners who want to hear exactly what is in a mix, not a boosted or colored version of it.