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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prefer open-back headphones for a wide soundstage and don't need wireless features or noise cancellation, the AKG K712 Pro could be a good fit, especially for music and TV where immersion is key; however, they're not as versatile for calls, meetings, or use in noisy environments. The Sony WH-1000XM5, on the other hand, offers active noise cancellation, making them well-suited for air travel and noisy areas, and they have a built-in microphone with superior quality for calls. The Sonys are also wireless with long battery life, which adds to their portability, but they may have a narrower soundstage compared to the AKG. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
5.6
The AKG K712 Pro is good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and AKG K712 Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
6.0
The AKG K712 Pro is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
8.4
5.8
The AKG K712 Pro is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The AKG K712 Pro does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$659
$398
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The AKG K712 Pro has a price of $659 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-1000XM5 to be very good for music, while the AKG K712 Pro is good.
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and AKG K712 Pro both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K712 Pro and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K712 Pro | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$659 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2013 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 235 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
AKG K712 Pro
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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 WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the AKG K712 Pro or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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.
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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.
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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
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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