Upgrading from a gaming headset? Three entry level ‘audiophile’ headphones reviewed

1. Introduction2. The Headphones: Unboxing and First Look3. Testing4. Closing Thoughts5. View All Pages

AKG K702

The AKG K702 headphones ship in a smart white box, with just a small booklet containing the necessary user information. A single, 3m cable is included that connects via a 3.5mm jack, though a 6.3mm screw-on adapter is included. Both cables connect to the left ear cup via a mini-XLR jack.

These headphones are open-back in design, while some silver accents add interest on the back of the ear cups. The ear cushions themselves are filled with a very stiff foam and are covered by a velour layer.

In terms of headband design, the K702's wire frame may split opinion but I think it looks good. The headband itself is genuine leather and is self-adjusting.

Overall build quality is not the best, though, as the frame and hinges are made of plastic, despite the metallic paint job. I also noticed some creaking from the headset when in use, though this was exacerbated by my glasses so it may not be as big of an issue for others.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Edition

Moving onto the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Edition headphones, these cans arrive in a clean-looking cream box with a side-on photo of the headphones visible on the front. Inside the box, the DT 990s actually come in a padded carry bag which is a good inclusion, while a guarantee card is also included.

Unlike the other two headphones on test today, the DT 990s do not have a detachable cable which is a bit disappointing – I am sure the cable would be the first thing to break so giving users the ability to easily swap-out the cables would've been appreciated. The cable itself is 3m long and connects via a 3.5mm jack, though a 6.3mm screw-on adapter is also included.

The styling of the DT 990s is certainly unique – the gold venting on the back of the ear cups (which are open back), couple with the light grey, almost purple cushions, creates a very interesting aesthetic. Those ear cushions are much softer than the K702's, while they are also covered with velour.

Elsewhere, the headband is not of the ‘floating' style, instead users must adjust the sizing before wearing the headphones. The headband itself is padded, though, and covered with a leatherette material.

Overall build quality is very good for the money. The metal frame feels nice and rigid, while the ear cups are also very solid and could withstand a bit of abuse – not that I'd want to test that! The only slight concern is the exposed wiring going from either cup to the headband – I'd be careful not to snag it on anything.

Sennheiser HD 598 Cs

If you have owned a pair of Sennheiser headphones before, you will recognise the black-and-blue box the HD 598 Cs arrive in. Inside, there are actually two cables – 1x 3m cable that connects via 6.3mm jack, and 1x 1.2m cable which connects via 3.5mm jack. Personally I would have preferred a long cable with a 3.5mm jack connection, as 1.2m is not long enough for my desktop use, but that is personal preference.

In my opinion, the HD 598 Cs are the best looking of the three headphones we're looking at today – I love the stealthy aesthetic, while the silver accents add just a touch of class. There is even some lovely velvet/velour material on the rear of the ear cups which is very soft to the touch.

Speaking of ear cups, the HD 598 Cs are the only headphones on test with a closed back design. The ear cushions are oval-shaped and again covered with smooth velour. The two detachable cables connect via a 2.5mm jack positioned on the left ear cup.

The headband is similar to the DT 990s as you have to get the size right before putting the headphones on. The padded headband and leatherette covering are nice and soft, though.

Build quality is overall pretty decent, definitely superior to the plasticky construction of the AKG K702s, but the HD 598 Cs do still lack the all-round rigidity of the DT 990s.

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