A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K712 Pro headphones excel in sound quality with an open-back design for a wide soundstage, making them ideal for critical listening experiences at home. However, they lack portability, noise isolation, and are not wireless, which can limit their use during travel or in noisy environments. The Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds are more suited for use on-the-go, offering active noise cancelling for quieter listening, wireless convenience, and functionality for calls with a built-in microphone. They are less expensive yet provide comfort, custom app controls, and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. Choose the AKG for high-fidelity home listening and the Sony for versatile everyday use. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K712 Pro
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
5.6
The AKG K712 Pro is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K712 Pro is good.
TV and Video
8.4
5.7
The AKG K712 Pro is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The AKG K712 Pro does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$659
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The AKG K712 Pro has a price of $659 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 has excellent build quality, while the AKG K712 Pro has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.5
The AKG K712 Pro and Sony WF1000XM3 are both good for music.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the AKG K712 Pro and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K712 Pro | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$659 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2013 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 235 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
AKG K712 Pro
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headfonics
Michael | October 2013
"AKG has created a mini-masterpiece in my opinion. I enjoy this headphone a great deal and it will become my go-to reference headphone for the time being. She is slick, sexy, well-balanced, and crazy comfortable."
Sony WF1000XM3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the AKG K712 Pro or the Sony WF1000XM3
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
