AKG K371 vs Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
A side-by-side look at AKG K371 and Sennheiser HD 380 Pro 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
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Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
The HD 280's quieter, more refined sibling with an even flatter frequency response
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Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| AKG K371 | Sennheiser HD 380 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Producers who want a step up from the HD 280 Pro with a flatter, more refined monitoring character and replaceable cable |
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
Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
- Closed-back, circumaural folding design
- Up to 32 dB passive noise attenuation
- 8 Hz - 27 kHz frequency response
- 54 ohm impedance
- THD less than 0.1% at 1 kHz, 100 dB SPL
- Detachable and replaceable coiled cable
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
Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
Pros
- Excellent passive isolation at 32 dB - matches the HD 280 Pro
- Lower distortion and flatter response than the HD 280 Pro
- Replaceable detachable cable - longer lifespan
- Better comfort on extended sessions than the HD 280 Pro
Cons
- Higher price than the HD 280 Pro for incremental improvements
- Coiled cable is long for desktop use
- Less widely available than the HD 280 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 Sennheiser HD 380 Pro if
Producers who want a step up from the HD 280 Pro with a flatter, more refined monitoring character and replaceable cable.
The HD 380 Pro is Sennheiser's professional closed-back that most audio engineers consider the more accurate companion to the HD 280 Pro. The frequency response is smoother, the THD is lower, and the detachable coiled cable is a practical improvement…