The AKG K361 are lightweight, closed-back, over-ear headphones. Like their sibling the AKG K371, they're positioned as headphones for professional studio monitoring and at an affordable price. While they do away with premium materials and stylistic embellishments found on higher-end headphones, they still deliver balanced audio with a touch of extra bass for added warmth. They're also usable with most devices without needing an amp, making them a versatile option for both casual listeners and creators on the go.
The AKG K361 are very good for neutral sound. They're tuned for studio use but come with a bit of extra bass to supply well-defined kicks with thump and body without overwhelming the mids. Vocals and instruments are clear and natural, thanks to their flat mids. Unfortunately, their treble range is susceptible to peaks and dips as these headphones struggle to control their sound signature; depending on the pitch of your track's upper harmonics, they'll sound slightly underarticulated and a bit sharp as they reproduce vocals and instruments. Additionally, you may experience consistency issues between listening sessions, as achieving a good seal can depend on factors like head shape, glasses, or thick hair.
Comfortable and lightweight.
Accurate and consistent imaging.
Middling frequency response consistency.
The AKG K361 are poor for commuting and travel. They aren't designed to be taken on the go and are missing creature comforts typically associated with more portable products like Bluetooth capability and active noise cancellation. They're comfortable, but aren't super portable. They also don't have a hard carrying case to protect them from being crushed. Though battery life won't be a consideration, these headphones won't do much to mitigate noisy plane and bus engines on long trips.
Comfortable and lightweight.
Middling frequency response consistency.
Disappointing noise isolation.
The AKG K361 are poor for sports and fitness. These headphones aren't designed for physical activity. While they're comfortable and lightweight, their lack of stability and wired-only design make them impractical for sports. Furthermore, their sound signature can vary between wears, an issue likely to worsen with movement during exercise.
Comfortable and lightweight.
Middling frequency response consistency.
Disappointing noise isolation.
The AKG K361 are sub-par for office use. They're comfortable over-ears but they aren't designed with active noise cancellation to block background noise, so they solely rely on passive isolation. While their closed-back design adequately mitigates mid and treble noise like ambient office chatter, they don't isolate you from bassy noise like rumbling ventilation. Additionally, these headphones don't have a microphone, so you'll need to get a standalone microphone or an aftermarket cable (with an in-line mic) to use with Teams or Zoom.
Comfortable and lightweight.
No microphone.
Disappointing noise isolation.
The AKG K361 are wired-only headphones and unsuitable for wireless gaming.
The AKG K361 are alright for wired gaming. You can connect these headphones to PCs or consoles via a headphone jack for audio output. However, they lack a built-in microphone, so you won’t be able to communicate with teammates or friends in-game or on Discord. In terms of sound, their emphasized bass response enhances the impact of cinematic cutscenes and rumbly explosions, delivering a more immersive experience.
Comfortable and lightweight.
Accurate and consistent imaging.
No microphone.
Disappointing noise isolation.
The AKG K361 don't have a microphone, so they're unusable for phone calls.
These headphones have one variant, 'Black,' which is primarily plastic with a matte-black finish. They also have a Bluetooth variant, the AKG K361-BT, but we haven't tested whether they perform the same.
If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
The AKG K361 are closed-back headphones positioned as professional studio monitors that are easier on the wallet. They're a member of a continually growing class of value-oriented headphones that don't sacrifice sound quality for savings. While their sibling, the AKG K371, are similar in performance and tier, the K361 maximize on savings by cutting out external metal components and detailing, opting for a full plastic construction. The K361 also directly compete against the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO and trade blows in comfort and compliance to our target, but fall short in consistency between wears. In the realm of passive soundstage, however, both the AKG and Beyerdynamic are closed-back headphones and don't offer as immersive or open an experience as open-back headphones like the Philips Fidelio X2HR and Philips SHP9600.
For more recommendations, check out the best studio headphones for mixing and recording, the best audiophile headphones, and the best closed-back headphones.
The AKG K371 are very similar to the AKG K361. Both are closed-back headphones intended for studio monitoring and have balanced sound profiles. The K371 reproduces sound with a touch more excitement, making it a good choice for more casual listening. They also use a detachable Mini XLR connector rather than the 1/16" TRS to 1/8" TRS of the AKG K361. While the K371 incorporates more premium materials, such as a faux leather headband and metal components in its hinges, both siblings are similar in their ergonomics: the two are equally comfortable, have acceptable stability, and decent build quality.
The Sony MDR-7506 are similar in performance to the AKG K361. The Sony are closed-backs intended for use as professional headphones and also use dynamic drivers to reproduce their sound. As such, they chase a balanced sound similar to the AKG for accurate monitoring. While the Sony are less stable and comfortable compared to the AKG, they do have a much more consistent frequency response, meaning you'll encounter less variation in sound between sessions even if you have a larger head or wear glasses.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are German-made closed-back headphones for monitoring. Unlike the AKG K361, they have a better build quality, with a solid metal frame and velour earpads. The Beyerdynamic are also more stable while retaining similar comfort compared to the AKG. In terms of sound, the Beyerdynamic have a more subdued low- and mid-bass, lacking some thump and punch that the AKG provide. They also have a higher clamping force, which isn't necessarily uncomfortable, but might be more fatiguing over time.
The Philips Fidelio X2HR are over-ear headphones that, in contrast to the closed-backed AKG K361, have an open-back design. As expected from open-backs, the Philips have a soundstage that seems more immersive; audio also sounds more like it originates from speakers in the room rather than from in your head. While they sacrifice some thump in the low-bass compared to the AKG, the Philips reproduce sound more consistently from wear to wear and are also more comfortable.
The AKG K361 are over-ear headphones with a retro design similar to their sibling, the AKG K371. Their primarily plastic construction is finished in matte black, while their ear cups are styled with synthetic leather padding. They have an external sliding track for adjusting their fit, with the manufacturer's logo printed onto the hinges. Their ear cups are mounted to an articulated arm, so you can flip one of them to the side while you record a track.
The AKG K371 feel comfortable. These headphones are exceptionally lightweight for over-ear headphones and have a light clamping force so you'll be able to wear them for longer listening sessions without fatigue. Their headband and plush cup padding distribute weight well, and won't put pressure on those with glasses. That said, while their ear cups have good depth, they may feel too narrow for users with wider ears.
These headphones aren't very portable. While their hinges let you fold the ear cups upward into the headband, they still take up a fair amount of space. On the plus side, their detachable cable makes them easier to fold and pack up.
These headphones come with an okay carrying pouch. It's made of thin fabric with a soft interior and rough exterior. While the pouch will keep your headphones well contained with its cinch top, it won't protect your headphones from prolonged weather exposure or impacts.
The AKG K361 headphones have a decent build quality. Their construction is primarily plastic, which feels light and comfortable but slightly cheap. The ear cups are covered in soft, premium-feeling faux leather, while the headband padding feels more plasticky. The yokes are solid, and the input cable moves smoothly with the ear cups. Their cable is also detachable and has a locking mechanism to keep it secure. On the downside, the hinges attaching the ear cups to the headband aren’t very sturdy and can sometimes slip between locked positions.
These headphones have mediocre stability. While the clamping force keeps them in place during casual listening, if you're immersed in an energetic track and nod along to the music, the headband moves around a lot. However, they're unlikely to fall off unless you're running around or headbanging for a prolonged period. These headphones are also wired only, so their cable can get caught on obstacles, especially if you move around.
The AKG K361 have a balanced sound profile. The headphones inject a bit of extra low- and high-bass imbuing mixes with full-bodied thump without muddling the mix. Their mid-range is relatively flat and well-tuned, allowing for clear and detailed reproduction of vocals and instruments. However, their treble fluctuates a bit—losing detail in the low-treble, introducing sharpness in the upper region of the mid-treble, and ultimately losing brilliance and sparkle past in the upper range of the high treble. It's worth noting that sensitivity to highest frequencies varies from person to person, so not everyone will notice these fluctuations in the top-end.
These headphones also had issues consistently replicating their frequency response during testing— from session to session, you might experience less thumpy bass and more unpredictable treble.
Their frequency response consistency is sub-par. The soft earpads and lighter clamping force contribute to difficulty in achieving a good seal, which impacts their ability to deliver a consistent sound across the audible range. This issue is especially apparent in the lack of boomy bass with 'Test 2' (long hair) and 'Test 5' (large head), where the seal is compromised.
These headphones follow our target curve remarkably well in the bass range. They have a slightly elevated response across the range, resulting in mixes that sound full-bodied and deliver satisfying thump. In tracks like Billie Eilish’s bad guy, the rhythmic kick hits with noticeable punch, enhancing the track's rhythm and intensity without bleeding into the mid-range. However, their bass performance can be inconsistent—difficulty getting the right seal between listening sessions can lead to an underwhelming bass experience. It's worth taking the time to seat them so you don't get too much or too little bass.
The AKG K361's target compliance is fantastic in the mid-range. Their response is flat across the range, reproducing smooth mids with clear and detailed vocals and instruments.
The AKG K361 have decent treble target compliance. En masse, the treble range is slightly underemphasized, with a dip in the low- to mid-treble reducing the presence of vocals and instruments. However, their response is also uneven, so certain frequencies can surprise you with sharpness. Meanwhile, drops in the high-treble dull the upper harmonics of instruments like the arpeggiated organ in tracks like Cornfield Chase from the Interstellar soundtrack by Hans Zimmer. It's also worth noting that these headphones' response can vary between sessions, which can lead to noticeable differences in treble sound from one wear to the next.
Their peaks and dips performance is adequate. The headphones control their sound profile throughout the bass and mid-range well, leading to an even reproduction of instruments from bass guitar to keys. However, their control wanes in the treble; narrow peaks and dips in the mid- and high-treble alternately introduce sharpness and dullness.
The AKG K361 have superb stereo imaging. Like many other products we've tested from this manufacturer, these headphones have high-quality control and ergonomics. Their group delay is below the audibility threshold, ensuring well-defined bass and clear treble. Meanwhile, the L/R drivers are well matched in phase, amplitude, and frequency; sound objects are accurately positioned in a stereo image without gaps. That said, these results are valid only for our unit, as imaging can vary between units.
These headphones have disappointing passive soundstage performance. As expected from closed-back headphones, the soundstage is not as wide compared to open-back designs. While they do interact with your outer ears, they don't interact with your environment much. This results in audio that doesn't feel particularly open, and as though it’s coming from inside your head rather than speakers in your room.
Their weighted harmonic distortion performance is great. Most of the distortion is near the same level and within good limits throughout the frequency range, resulting in clean and pure audio. Even at high levels, the small bumps in the treble likely won't be audible for most people.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
These headphones have sub-par noise isolation performance. They purely isolate passively, and don't have the lower-range mitigation provided by active noise cancelling systems. As expected, they don't do much to block out low frequency noise like footsteps from neighbors a floor above. However, they do manage to tackle higher frequency noise in the treble, like the squeaky recline of your office chair. Depending on your head shape and other factors that affect seal quality (like glasses), these headphones can perform differently in noise isolation, especially if you move around.
These headphones have poor noise isolation in common scenarios as well. For the same reasons mentioned in Noise Isolation - Full Range, these headphones don't tackle bassier noises like the thud of car and office doors slamming shut. They're also not great at handling ambient chatter in an airplane cabin or in a bullpen. Fortunately, their passive isolation does mitigate treble noise, like hissing breaks from large vehicles.
These headphones have good leakage performance. Most audio won't be very audible in the average home or office, with your closest neighbors hearing a thin-sounding replica of your favorite podcast or track if you have your volume fairly loud.
These cans are passively driven and have negligible latency. They also come with two detachable 1/16" TRS to 1/8" TRS cables at 3.01m (9.88 ft) and 1.18m (3.87 ft). The 1/16" jack goes into the headphones and has a unique locking mechanism; if you're shopping for an aftermarket solution, you'll need to make sure to snag a cable with a compatible lock. You also get a 1/8" TRS to 1/4" TRS adapter, making them compatible with pro gear and casual products alike.
Most PCs can drive these headphones without an amp via connection to your computer's headphone jack.
These headphones can be plugged into a PlayStation controller for audio output. However, you'll need an external microphone for audio input.
The AKG 361 can be plugged into an Xbox controller and be used for audio output. However, you'll need an external microphone for audio input.