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Walk into a home studio, a school music room or a radio booth and there is a good chance you will see a pair of AKG K240s on a hook. The design, with its round gold and black cups and self adjusting headband, has been a studio fixture for decades. The current K240 Studio keeps that look and the semi open sound that made it popular.
What it is
AKG describes the K240 Studio as over ear, semi open headphones designed for professional applications such as mixing, mastering and playback. They use 30 mm XXL transducers with AKG's patented Varimotion diaphragms, which AKG says deliver a wide dynamic range, increased sensitivity and high sound levels. AKG credits the semi open design with a solid bass range and very clear highs.
What semi open means
Closed back headphones seal the ear cup to block outside noise and keep sound from leaking out. Open back headphones let air and sound pass through the cups, which tends to give a wider, more natural sense of space but leaks a lot. Semi open designs sit between the two. The K240 lets some sound pass, which keeps it from sounding boxed in, while still isolating a little more than a fully open model. Our guide to open back vs closed back headphones explains the tradeoffs in more detail.
The practical result: the K240 is good for mixing and long listening sessions, but it is not the best choice for tracking vocals next to a sensitive microphone, because some of the click track or backing music can leak into the recording.
Specs
AKG lists these specifications:
- Frequency range: 15 to 25,000 Hz
- Driver size: 30 mm
- Rated impedance: 55 ohms
- Sensitivity: 104 dB SPL per volt at 1 kHz
- Maximum input power: 200 mW
- Weight: 240 grams
- Detachable 3 meter cable with a mini XLR connector at the headphone end
- 3.5 mm plug with a 6.3 mm screw on adapter
- Replaceable ear pads, not foldable
Easy to drive
At 55 ohms, the K240 Studio is easy to power. It works from an audio interface, a mixer, a laptop or a phone without a dedicated headphone amp, although a good interface output will give you cleaner volume. Many studio headphones run at 250 ohms or more and want more power, so this is a real advantage for beginners. Our explainer on headphone impedance covers why that number matters.
Comfort and durability
AKG says the K240 Studio is built to withstand countless hours in the studio, and the design is simple: a headband that adjusts itself as you put the headphones on, large over ear pads and a cable that detaches at a locking mini XLR jack. A detachable cable matters more than it sounds. Cables are the part most likely to fail on studio headphones, and being able to swap one in seconds can add years to a pair. The pads are replaceable as well.
How it compares
The K240 Studio is one of the easiest ways into a semi open studio sound. If you want more detail and a larger soundstage and do not mind a higher impedance, the beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO is a common step up. For a broader look at the category, see our list of the best studio headphones.
Setting it up
Plug the 3.5 mm jack into your audio interface, mixer or laptop, screwing on the 6.3 mm adapter for full size outputs. Start with the volume low and raise it slowly, since long sessions at high levels tire your ears and skew your mix decisions. Take regular breaks, and check mixes on speakers too. Headphones place sound inside your head, so stereo width and bass can read differently than in a room. More of the brand's studio range is listed at AKG.
Who it is for
- Buy it if you mix or produce at home, want headphones you can wear for hours, and want something that runs well from any device
- Buy it if you value a replaceable cable and pads
- Skip it if you need strong isolation for tracking vocals, commuting or noisy rooms, where a closed back model is better
Where to buy
For more studio gear, browse our home studio hub.
