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AKG M220 PRO High Definition Over-Ear DJ/Studio Headphones Review

Editor rating – 4.8/5

PROS

  • Excellent comfort
  • Accurate sound representation
  • Amazing value

CONS

  • Poor isolation
  • Only an average soundstage

VERDICT

It’s almost hard to believe that these headphones cost less than $100. They offer a fantastic budget alternative to popular models like ATH-M50. The sound is well balanced across the frequency range and responds great to amplification.

AKG M220 PRO is now an almost legendary pair of headphones that can be found in recording studios all around the world. You can expect excellent performance, timeless design, and great value for your money.

Design and build

AKG M220 Over-Ear Headphones have semi-open design and use a self-adjusting headband that greatly simplifies the process of finding the best fit. All you need to do is to put them on and the band will in the right position completely on its own. The removable cable plugs into the left earcup, where it stays firmly secured.

The large circumaural pads can easily fit even larger ears and offer a very good comfort. You can forget that you have them on your head and just get lost into the music. The leather headband is slightly thicker than it seems to be on pictures and the black and white color combination is attractive and timeless.

Even though these are technically semi-open headphones, they performed much more like open headphones in terms of their sound isolation. You can clearly hear everything that happens around you and vice versa. That’s not an issue if you are alone in your room or office, but it makes these unfit for public use.

Sound quality

Let’s not beat around the bush – AKG M220 sound great. Right out of the box, you will notice their excellent balance and faithful audio reproduction. After all, these are intended mainly for studio monitoring purposes and careful analytic listening.

Bass frequencies are delivered with utmost accuracy and the same can be said about mids and highs. People who are coming from mainstream headphones and earbuds will probably think that these sound a bit too flat. That’s very common thing and the best option is to listen some more and let their sound grow on you.

Without an external amp, the soundstage leaves something to be desired. It’s not as wide as would imagine given their semi-open design. However, when paired with a capable amp, these headphones truly come to life.

Suddenly, the soundstage will open and you will be presented with a phenomenal sound. A good amp doesn’t have to cost much. There are some excellent options for under $50 like the FiiO e6, which should be perfectly adequate for these headphones.

What is in the box?

Included with these headphones is a detachable 3-pin XLR to 1/8” cable and a 1/4” adapter.

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