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AKG K 142 HD Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

AKG K 142 HD Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

AKG K 142 HD
5.3/10

Overall score

Score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

80%

4.6

Technical score

20%

7.9

User score

â–¼Worse than 93% of headphones
6.7

Value for money

Value for money
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components

70%

5.3

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 87%
4.6

Technical score

Technical score
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

52%

4.6

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.4

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 99%
7.9

User score

User score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 63%
  • akg-k-142-hd
  • akg-k-142-hd
akg-k-142-hd
akg-k-142-hd
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones AKG K 142 HD

Technical score
Technical score
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components:

52%

4.6

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.4

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

4.6
User score
User score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.9
Popularity
Popularity
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Popularity:
AKG K 142 HD has a popularity score of 6.6 points, which is higher than that of 59.2% of products in this category.
6.6
Value for money
Value for money
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components:

70%

5.3

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.7
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
30 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 30 mm, smaller driver size than 77.4% of headphones and equal to 4.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
18 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 18 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 49.6% of headphones and equal to 3.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
AKG
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
225 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 225 g, heavier than 52.2% of headphones and equal to 0.6% of headphones.
Acoustic design
semi-open
Clamp force
?
Show more

AKG K 142 HD vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 8.9% worse value for money
    AKG K 142 HD has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.68 vs 7.3).
    6.68 vs 7.27
  • 8.9% worse value for money
    AKG K 142 HD has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.68 vs 7.3).
    6.68 vs 7.27
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • 9 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (101 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    101 dB vs 110 dB
  • 1 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 7 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2009 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    March 2009
    2009 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0
andre vautour
≈ estimated
11/03/2013
Long-term test · a few months of daily use
Verdict
AKG K 142 HD has great sound for the price, but is not recommended for people who wear glasses.
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

H
hifitest.de
02/09/2009
Summary of the review
AKG K 142 HD hi-fi headphones review: Very good - hifitest.de
(Translated)Show original
connect.de
16/12/2008
Short review · Half-open studio
Verdict
The AKG K 142 HD is a half-open studio headphone whose punchy bass and warm, harmonic tones suit acoustic guitar.
kopfhoerer.de
20/08/2012
Hands-on test · Hi-fi studio
Verdict
The AKG K 142 HD is a comfortable, warm-sounding hi-fi headphone with great vocals, but its weak deep bass and low sensitivity make it a poor pick for phones.
lesnumeriques.com
28/05/2013
Review · Hi-fi entry-level
Verdict
The AKG K142 HD is a low-cost entry into hi-fi with clean, comfortable sound, but its bass is strong and its treble lacks precision.

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about AKG K 142 HD

  • Detailed and clear sound quality, especially for jazz and classical music
  • Extremely lightweight and comfortable for long listening sessions
  • Soft velvet earpads and self-adjusting headband design
  • Balanced, 'laidback' sound signature that is not fatiguing
  • Good soundstage due to the semi-open design
  • Affordable price point for entry-level studio quality

What customers don't like about AKG K 142 HD

  • Bass may feel thin or lacking for 'bass junkies' or hip-hop fans
  • Pressure on the ears can be uncomfortable for users who wear glasses
  • Primarily plastic construction feels somewhat 'cheap'
  • Non-detachable 3-meter cable can be cumbersome for mobile use
  • Requires an amp or high-power source for the best performance (55 ohms)
  • Semi-open design provides minimal noise isolation in loud environments

Verdict

The AKG K 142 HD is a pair of semi-open, on-ear high-definition headphones featuring 30mm drivers with patented Varimotion diaphragms, an 18Hz to 24kHz frequency response, and an impedance of 55 Ohms. Weighing approximately 225g, these headphones are characterized by their self-adjusting headband, gimbal-suspended earcups with velvet padding, and a 3-meter oxygen-free copper cable with gold-plated contacts. Main pros include a balanced soundstage with high sensitivity (101 dB/mW), detailed mid-to-high reproduction suitable for acoustic or instrumental music, and a lightweight, durable build that remains comfortable for long sessions. However, cons include a lack of deep sub-bass response, potential discomfort for users wearing glasses due to the on-ear pressure, and no passive noise isolation, which leads to sound leakage and susceptibility to background noise.

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