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ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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AKG K 512 MKII Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£35Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

AKG K 512 MKII 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 512 MKII
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 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 75% of models
Score components

80%

5.5

Technical score

20%

6.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 75% of headphones
7.0

Value for money

Value for money
7.0/ 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 73% of models
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 73%
5.5

Technical score

Technical score
5.5/ 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 73% of models
Score components

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 73%
6.8

User score

User score
6.8/ 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 89% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

User ratings

30%

5.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 89%
  • akg-k-512-mkii
akg-k-512-mkii
Where to buy
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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 512 MKII

Technical score
Technical score
5.5/ 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 73% of models
Score components:

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

5.5
User score
User score
6.8/ 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 89% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

User ratings

30%

5.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.8
Popularity
Popularity
5.0/ 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–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Popularity:
AKG K 512 MKII has a popularity score of 5 points, which is lower than that of 58.9% of products in this category.
5.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.0/ 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 73% of models
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.0
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
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% 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
16 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 16 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 54.1% of headphones and equal to 4.2% 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
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% 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
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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
over-ear
Weight
200 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 200 g, lighter than 54.5% of headphones and equal to 1.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
5
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 5, higher clamp force than 68.4% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more

AKG K 512 MKII 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.
  • 7 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (109 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    109 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 1.3 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.5 m vs 1.2 m
  • 2.57x cheaper
    AKG K 512 MKII is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£35 vs £90).
    £35 vs £90
  • 2.57x cheaper
    AKG K 512 MKII is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£35 vs £90).
    £35 vs £90
  • 1.3 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.5 m vs 1.2 m
  • 7 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (109 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    109 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 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 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.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 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
  • 17.2% lower user score
    User score
    6.8/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    AKG K 512 MKII
    the average pair of headphones
    AKG K 512 MKII has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.83 vs 8).
    6.83 vs 8
  • 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.
  • 0.7 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    5 vs 4.3
  • 17.2% lower user score
    User score
    6.8/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    AKG K 512 MKII
    the average pair of headphones
    AKG K 512 MKII has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.83 vs 8).
    6.83 vs 8
  • 3.3% worse value for money
    AKG K 512 MKII has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.04 vs 7.3).
    7.04 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.
  • 0.7 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    5 vs 4.3
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    August 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

Not graded

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 512 MKII

  • Neutral to bright sound signature ideal for detail and accuracy
  • Excellent mid-range clarity, especially for instrumental and guitar music
  • Self-adjusting headband provides a lightweight and stable fit
  • Above-average detail and transparency for its price point
  • Clean and coherent bass reproduction without muddiness
  • Good soundstage and spatial quality for entry-level closed-back headphones

What customers don't like about AKG K 512 MKII

  • Treble can be 'hot' or 'zingy', leading to sibilance and listener fatigue
  • Shallow bass response may disappoint 'bass-heads' or those seeking impact
  • Earpads are made of synthetic material that can cause sweaty ears
  • Build quality feels somewhat flimsy due to heavy use of plastic
  • Non-removable cable makes repairs or customization difficult
  • Comfort is polarizing; drivers can press against larger ears

Verdict

The AKG K 512 MKII is a lightweight, closed-back dynamic headphone designed for versatile audio applications, featuring a frequency range of 16Hz to 20kHz, 32-ohm impedance, and a sensitivity of 109dB SPL/V. Key characteristics include a patented self-adjusting headband, large 40mm drivers for powerful sound with clear highs, and a 2.5-metre single-sided oxygen-free cable for reduced tangling. Its main pros are an exceptional price-to-performance ratio, a comfortable gimbal-suspended design weighing only 200g, and a balanced sound signature that excels in ambient and mid-centric music. However, notable cons include a lack of deep, thumping bass for electronic genres, non-detachable cables that can be inconveniently long for portable use, and a tendency for the treble to become slightly fatiguing during extended high-volume listening.

Compare AKG K 512 MKII with other products in the Headphones category

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