AKG K240STUDIO
Score: 79/100
Philips SHP9600
Score: 81/100Rankings
The Philips SHP9600 are open-back, over-ear wired studio headphones offering a spacious soundstage and excellent comfort at a low price. Their open design causes sound leakage and they miss modern wireless features. Ideal for home audiophiles and casual studio monitoring.
The AKG K240 Studio headphones deliver precise, detailed audio with a semi-open design, making them ideal for professional mixing and mastering at a budget price. Their trade-offs include sound leakage, lower sensitivity that may need an amp, and a non-foldable build. Suited for audio engineers and musicians who prioritize sound accuracy over portability.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
30 mm | 50 mmbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 240 gbest | 330 g |
55 Ωbest | 32 Ω | |
104 dB SPLbest | 101 dB SPL |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(4) | ||
Frequency Response | 15–25,000 Hz | 6-35000 |
Driver Size (mm) | 30 mm | 50 mm |
Impedance (Ω) | 55 Ω | 32 Ω |
Sensitivity (dB SPL) | 104 dB SPL | 101 dB SPL |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 240 g | 330 g |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 200×190×110 mm | 201×172×100 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consistently commend the K240 Studio for its precise, detailed sound and natural imaging, attributing this to the Varimotion transducers. They note the headphones are easy to drive, feature a detachable cable, and offer replaceable earpads, making them serviceable. Criticisms focus on the semi-open design's sound leakage, the vinyl earpads' durability issues, and the relatively low sensitivity that can demand extra amplification.
Everyday users appreciate the K240 Studio's affordable price, comfortable fit, and balanced sound for mixing and overdubbing. Common praise highlights the replaceable parts and overall value. Recurring complaints involve earpad wear, sound leakage in shared spaces, and occasional need for an amp to reach desired loudness.
Professional reviewers commend the SHP9600 for its exceptional comfort, easy driveability, and neutral, spacious sound signature, emphasizing the 50 mm drivers and low impedance as strengths. However, they criticize the open-back design for sound leakage, the modest bass response, and the lack of premium build materials and modern wireless features, positioning the headphones as a value-driven option for critical listening rather than a high-end flagship.
Everyday users consistently praise the headphones for their comfort and wide, detailed soundstage, describing them as superb for long home listening sessions. Common complaints revolve around sound leakage, modest bass, and occasional cable durability issues, with many noting the product is best suited for stationary use rather than on-the-go scenarios.
“Exceptional sound quality for recording/mixing with solid bass, clear highs, and wide dynamic range - AKG spec sheet”
“"shattering expectations" for detail but flags inefficiency (91 dB sensitivity) - HomeStudioBasics”
“spacious, natural sound with precise imaging - Guitar Center”
