OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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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 K514 MKII Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£55Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

AKG K514 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 K514 MKII
5.4/10

Overall score

Score
5.4/ 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 90% of models
Score components

80%

5.0

Technical score

20%

6.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 90% of headphones
6.8

Value for money

Value for money
6.8/ 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 84% of models
Score components

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 84%
5.0

Technical score

Technical score
5.0/ 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 92% of models
Score components

52%

4.9

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

6.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.4

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 92%
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 88% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

User ratings

30%

5.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 88%
  • akg-k514-mkii
akg-k514-mkii
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 K514 MKII

Technical score
Technical score
5.0/ 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 92% of models
Score components:

52%

4.9

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

6.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.4

Calls & Controls

5.0
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 88% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

User ratings

30%

5.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.8
Popularity
Popularity
5.1/ 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 K514 MKII has a popularity score of 5.1 points, which is lower than that of 58% of products in this category.
5.1
Value for money
Value for money
6.8/ 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 84% of models
Score components:

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.8
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
?
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
yes
This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode. 75.2% 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
190 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 190 g, lighter than 59.1% of headphones and equal to 1.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
semi-open
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 K514 MKII vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 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
  • 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.
    semi-open design.
  • 12.8% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (190 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    190 g vs 218 g
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 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.
    semi-open design.
  • 12.8% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (190 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    190 g vs 218 g
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 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.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • 16.9% 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 K514 MKII
    the average pair of headphones
    AKG K514 MKII has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.85 vs 8).
    6.85 vs 8
  • 5 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (55 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    55 mm vs 60 mm
  • 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.
  • 16.9% 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 K514 MKII
    the average pair of headphones
    AKG K514 MKII has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.85 vs 8).
    6.85 vs 8
  • 7.3% worse value for money
    AKG K514 MKII has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.77 vs 7.3).
    6.77 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.
  • 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
  • 5 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (55 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    55 mm vs 60 mm
  • 4 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    40 mm vs 44 mm
  • 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.
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % 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.
  • 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.
  • 5 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2011 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    September 2011
    2011 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

unbox.ph
05/08/2012
Two-week review · Retro-style headphones
Verdict
The AKG K514 MKII is a stylish, comfortable headphone with balanced sound and strong mids, but its 3-meter cable is awkward when you're on the move.
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com
26/02/2022
Lab test · Budget open headphones
Verdict
The AKG K514 MKII is a cheap open headphone with boomy bass and sharp treble, and it sounds decent only at quiet levels and with EQ.
unbox.ph
19/07/2012
Hands-on first look · Stylish headphones
Verdict
The AKG K514 MKII is a stylish, comfortable headphone that puts mids and detail first, with no artificial bass boost.
yugatech.com
29/06/2012
Review · Mid-range headphones
Verdict
The AKG K514 MKII is a lightweight, airy-sounding headphone with a well-balanced sound and comfortable fit, but its highs can sound too hissy.
gamezoom.net
17/05/2013
Hands-on test · Multipurpose headphones
Verdict
The AKG K514 MKII is a comfortable, clear-sounding headphone for long gaming and film sessions, though its bass could hit harder on heavy tracks.
F
forum.tellementnomade.org
21/02/2012
Summary of the review
AKG K514 MK2 - From the forum
(Translated)Show original
iphoneitalia.com
19/07/2012
Hands-on review · Wired overhead headphones
Verdict
The AKG K514 MKII is a light, comfortable wired headphone with excellent value, though its cable is far too long for an iPhone.

Third-party reviews

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

What customers like about AKG K514 MKII

  • Extremely lightweight (190g) and comfortable for long listening sessions
  • Stylish, modern 'retro' design in white and grey
  • Balanced and clear midrange, ideal for acoustic, jazz, and pop music
  • Airy and spacious soundstage characteristic of the AKG signature
  • High sensitivity and low impedance (32 ohms) make them easy to drive with mobile devices
  • Self-adjusting headband provides a good fit without manual adjustment

What customers don't like about AKG K514 MKII

  • Lacks deep sub-bass; not suitable for 'bassheads' or genres like EDM/Rap
  • The 3-meter straight cable is excessively long for mobile use and can be cumbersome
  • High frequencies can be overly sibilant or 'sharp' during some tracks
  • Poor noise isolation due to the semi-open design; sound leaks to those nearby
  • Some users reported build quality concerns, such as the headband material splitting over time
  • Non-detachable cable makes repairs or replacements difficult

Verdict

The AKG K514 MKII is a lightweight, semi-open over-ear headphone weighing just 190g and featuring a 16Hz–22kHz frequency range, 32-ohm impedance, and 107dB SPL/V sensitivity. It is characterised by a self-adjusting headband, a 3-metre single-sided cable, and a natural, airy sound signature that excels in the midrange. Main pros include its exceptional comfort for long listening sessions, stylish white-and-grey aesthetic, and high efficiency that allows it to be easily driven by mobile devices without an external amplifier. However, notable cons include a lacks of deep bass extension, a treble response that some users find overly sharp or sibilant, and potential seal issues due to firm ear pads and limited cup swivel.

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