AKG K371 Review: The Best Studio Headphones for the Money?

By Editorial Team | April 2026

The AKG K371 is the rare closed-back headphone that lets you mix without second-guessing the bass. Its strength is simple: it sounds more neutral than most rivals in this price range, and that makes it genuinely useful for both studio work and everyday listening.

Our pick: AKG K371

AKG K371 — £135.22

This is the closed-back headphone you buy when you want a mix that translates and a pair you can still throw in a bag. Our score: 8/10. The K371’s Reference Response tuning, 50mm drivers, and 32-ohm impedance make it easy to run from a laptop, interface, or phone, which matters more than specs on paper usually admit.

Why it works:

• The tuning is the point: it leans neutral instead of hyped, so you hear problems in a mix instead of flattering bass.
• It folds flat with 8-position hinges, so it travels better than most studio headphones.
• It isolates well and stays comfortable over long sessions thanks to the light build and memory-foam pads.

The honest trade-off: the cable is fixed, and that is a bad fit for a headphone aimed at real studio use. The elongated cups can also sit awkwardly on smaller heads.

If you want one closed-back wired headphone for mixing, monitoring, and commuting, buy the AKG K371.

Best upgrade: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X — around £229.99

The extra money buys you a more robust studio staple with a roomier fit and a replaceable cable, which is exactly the bit the K371 gets wrong. It’s the better choice if you sit at a desk for long sessions and want something that feels less fussy and more built for abuse.

Worth it if: you value long-session comfort and a detachable cable more than compact folding and lower cost.

Best budget pick: Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro — around £99.95

This is the cheaper workhorse. It gets the core studio job done — isolation, closed-back monitoring, and a no-nonsense wired design — but it is less refined sounding and less comfortable than the K371, which is the trade-off you make to save money.

Worth it if: you need a basic closed-back headphone for tracking or rough monitoring and price matters more than tonal accuracy.

How we chose

For this kind of headphone, sound tuning matters first, then comfort, isolation, and whether the design actually works in daily use. We leaned on the supplied product data and cross-checked against current review roundups and live product listings to make sure the alternatives are real and relevant.

Frequently asked questions

Is the AKG K371 good for mixing?
Yes. Its neutral-leaning tuning is the main reason to buy it, because it makes tonal mistakes easier to hear.

Is it worth £135.22?
Yes, if you want one closed-back headphone that does studio work properly and still travels well. If your priority is durability and serviceability, the DT 770 Pro X is the cleaner long-term buy.

Does it need an amp?
No. The 32-ohm impedance means it will run from a laptop, phone, or audio interface without drama.