In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the AKG K271 Mk2 professional studio headphones. Priced at $279 on the company’s website, I’m curious to see if their performance justifies the cost.
Final verdict on the AKG K271 Mk2
The K271 Mk2 headphones offer pretty solid performance, especially after being fine-tuned with some EQ adjustments. They’re overall quite clear, with great soundstage for a closed-back design.
They do have a couple of quirks, like boxy upper-mids and a bass response that might feel a tad underwhelming for some. That said, they’re ideal for genres like jazz or classical, as well as being a good set of cans for studio monitoring.
While I think there are many headphones in this price range that outperform the K271 Mk2, it’s worth noting that they can often be found online for $140 or even less. If you’re able to snag them at a lower cost, they shift from feeling a bit overpriced to one hell of a bargain – especially for casual listeners.
What I like
- Clear sound.
- Detailed soundstage.
- Lightweight.
What I don’t like
- Boxy upper-mids.
- Bass lacks depth without EQ.
Why you should trust me
I’ve been producing and engineering for well over a decade, during which I’ve had hands-on experience with a wide array of monitoring setups – whether that’s been high-end monitors, crappy earbuds, or repurposed car speakers.
I know how to stretch a budget, and I know when a piece of gear doesn’t perform in line with its asking price.
This experience, along with years of problem-solving in a variety of recording environments, has helped me understand what gear is worth your investment and what isn’t.
Sound quality 4.0
The K271 Mk2 headphones have a frequency response of 16 Hz to 28 kHz. It’s probably safe to say that they perform best within the 200 Hz to 3 kHz range. The mids are fairly accurate, with a natural tone that feels particularly complementary for vocals and acoustic instruments.
Two things I’d like to note are, first, that the bass is pretty lean, especially under 100 Hz. Secondly, the upper mids sound boxy to my ears – just around the 3.55 kHz range.
Despite all that, the bass response is tight and fast, albeit lacking the boom necessary for bass-heavy music genres. Running them through a parametric EQ to dial up the punch and control in the bottom end can really bring these headphones to life. Otherwise, the famous AKG mids shine here with a lot of warmth and clarity.
The treble is clear as well, but definitely bright at higher volumes. At more reasonable listening levels, I didn’t find them too fatiguing, although a longer session might change that opinion. Additionally, the soundstage is shockingly expansive for a closed-back design.
Build and design 3.7
The K271 Mk2 headphones are super light, making them well-suited for long recording sessions. They feel cheaper than they look, which might distract from the feeling of higher quality. That being said, they’re definitely durable headphones.
The design may seem a tad retro, but I’ve always been a fan of minimalistic designs. In any case, the design is functional and, if anything, might offer a bit of nostalgic appeal.
Comfort 3.8
Let it be known that the earpads are incredibly shallow, at around 16 mm. I don’t consider myself to be a big-eared man, but even I felt they fit a bit snugly.
This didn’t end up bothering me as much as I thought it would after wearing them for a bit, and I think the lightweight design of these headphones definitely helped make up for the tight fit.
The headband of the AKG K271 Mk2 is adjustable, and the pressure felt even overall. No big complaints here.
Isolation 3.5
I’d say that the passive noise isolation is alright but nothing to write home about. The K271 Mk2 do an okay job of blocking out ambient noise, but I wouldn’t recommend them for commuting. These are definitely at home in the studio.
Leakage is decently minimal, so wearing them in shared spaces shouldn’t pose any issues.
Accessories 4.0
Upon opening the box, you will find the headphones, one EK300 cable, one EK500 coiled cable, two velvet earpads, as well as a 1/8-to-1/4-inch adapter. All well and good to me, but I could see some folks missing a carrying case.
Compared to other headphones
Here are some other headphones you might want to take a look at before jumping on the K271 Mk2.
AKG K271 Mk2 vs K371
The K371 headphones have a wider frequency response, are significantly cheaper, and sound far more balanced than the K271 Mk2, in my opinion. That said, I think the fit is a bit worse on them, which is annoying. Still, I’d probably take the K371.
AKG K271 Mk2 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
These are two very different-sounding headphones. The ATH-M50x boast a lot more bottom and top-end than the K271 Mk2, but the AKGs have a more neutral mid-range. I think I would personally go with the Audio-Technicas for casual listening and the AKGs for recording.
See Audio-Technica ATH-M50x’s current price
AKG K271 Mk2 vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
The DT 770 Pro headphones have a lot more bass but a bit less separation when it comes to imaging. I would probably opt for the DT 770 Pro when producing and the AKGs for tracking.
Read the full Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro review
Why are the AKG K271 Mk2 headphones best suited for?
The AKG K271 Mk2 are a solid choice for audio engineers looking for a lightweight and decent-sounding pair of studio headphones.
I do think there are a lot of better-performing options in this price range, although this assessment changes if you find them at the lower end of their fluctuating price range. The K271 Mk2 feel much more at home at $150 or less.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon
