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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the AKG K712 Pro and the Sony WH-CH520 involves several trade-offs. The AKG K712 Pro, while pricier, offers superior sound quality and soundstage, making it an excellent choice for critical listening and an immersive music experience. However, they're open-back, meaning they don't isolate noise well and are not suitable for noisy environments or recording. The Sony WH-CH520 is more budget-friendly with good sound quality, and as a closed-back design with a longer battery life, they are better for travel and outdoor use. The Sony also includes a built-in microphone for calls and active noise cancellation for loud environments. If you need a wireless option and use headphones for calls or active noise control, the Sony may be more suitable; but if you prioritize audio fidelity for home listening, the AKG K712 Pro could be better. 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
- The AKG K712 Pro has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the AKG K712 Pro is good.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and AKG K712 Pro are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The AKG K712 Pro does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$659
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The AKG K712 Pro has a price of $659 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The AKG K712 Pro has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.6
The AKG K712 Pro and Sony WH-CH520 are both good for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K712 Pro is good.
TV and Video
8.4
8.2
The AKG K712 Pro and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for TV and video.
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How the AKG K712 Pro and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K712 Pro | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$659 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2013 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 235 Grams | 147.41 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-CH520
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
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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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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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.
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