AKG K371 vs Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
A side-by-side look at AKG K371 and Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
AKG K371
Closed-back reference headphone engineered to AKG's own frequency target - foldable for the road
See site
Check price on Amazon
Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
Modern open-back with the STELLAR.45 driver and detachable cable - built for the next decade
See site
Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| AKG K371 | Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Podcasters and producers who want a modern closed-back with flat reference tuning and portable foldable design | Studio producers who want a modern open-back reference headphone that works without a dedicated amp |
Key features
AKG K371
- 5 Hz - 40 kHz frequency response
- Closed-back, over-ear, foldable design
- 50mm drivers tuned to AKG Reference Response target
- 32 ohm impedance - no amp required
- Three detachable cables: 3m coiled, 3m straight, 1.2m straight
- Oval ear cups for passive noise isolation
Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
- 5 Hz - 40 kHz frequency response
- Open-back, over-ear design - NOT for recording
- 45mm STELLAR.45 three-layer driver
- 48 ohm impedance - works without a dedicated amp
- Two detachable cables with locking mini-XLR: 1.8m and 3m
- Handcrafted in Germany with replaceable components
Pros and cons
AKG K371
Pros
- Flat, reference-tuned response matched to the Harman target
- Three cable options cover all use cases
- 32-ohm impedance works from any interface or device
- Foldable for travel without sacrificing studio-grade accuracy
Cons
- Foldable mechanism adds plastic to the build
- Oval ear cups require adjustment to fit some head shapes
- Bass extension can sound slightly soft versus V-shaped alternatives
Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
Pros
- More neutral tuning than the classic DT 990 Pro
- Low 48-ohm impedance - no amp required
- Detachable cables via locking mini-XLR connector
- Wide, accurate soundstage for mixing and referencing
Cons
- Open-back - bleeds sound, cannot be used for recording
- Heavier than some alternatives at 345g
- Premium price tier versus the DT 990 Pro
The verdict
Choose AKG K371 if
Podcasters and producers who want a modern closed-back with flat reference tuning and portable foldable design.
The K371 is one of the most technically accurate closed-back headphones at its price, and the measurement community noticed it early - it closely follows the Harman target curve, which correlates well to what most people perceive as neutral and…
Choose Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X if
Studio producers who want a modern open-back reference headphone that works without a dedicated amp.
The DT 900 Pro X is what beyerdynamic built when they looked at the DT 990 Pro and said 'same concept, but fix the amp dependency and add a detachable cable.' The STELLAR.45 driver delivers a more controlled, neutral tuning…