AKG

AKG 3405H00010 Pro Audio K175 On-Ear Studio Headphones

4.3 (925 reviews)

AKG K175 delivers studio-grade monitoring with 40mm drivers in a foldable, road-ready closed-back design.

$81.77*
Check availability

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The AKG K175 is a closed-back, on-ear studio headphone built around professional-grade 40mm transducers. In practical terms, that driver size strikes a balance between the bass extension you need for full-mix monitoring and the transient detail required to catch artifacts during tracking. The low-impedance, high-sensitivity design means these headphones reach working volume from virtually any source — a mixing console headphone bus, a portable field recorder, or a budget audio interface — without the signal degradation that comes from underpowering higher-impedance studio cans. The closed-back isolation keeps sound in and ambient noise out, which is exactly what you need when monitoring next to an open mic or working in noisy live environments.

Build quality is where AKG differentiated the K175 from consumer-grade foldable headphones. The all-metal hinge is the standout detail — this is the component that fails first on most portable headphones, and engineering it in metal rather than plastic meaningfully extends the product's service life. The slow-retention foam ear pads conform to the shape of your ear over time, improving both comfort and passive isolation. The foldable, ergonomic chassis makes these practical for engineers who move between studios, stages, and remote locations. For tracking sessions, live sound monitoring, and on-the-go reference listening, the K175 occupies a well-defined niche: serious audio performance in a genuinely portable form factor.

Key Features

Professional 40mm drivers

Superior sensitivity and low impedance

Foldable, ergonomic design

Durable all-metal hinge

Slow-retention foam ear pads

Specifications

Brand
AKG Pro Audio
Model
3405H00010
Type
On-Ear, Closed-Back Studio Headphones
Transducer Size
40mm
Design
Foldable, Ergonomic
Ear Pad Material
Slow-Retention Foam
Hinge Construction
All-Metal

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 40mm drivers deliver detailed, clear audio reproduction suitable for professional monitoring work
  • Low impedance design drives easily from interfaces, mixers, and portable devices without a dedicated amp
  • All-metal hinge mechanism provides significantly greater durability than typical plastic folding joints
  • Closed-back isolation minimizes bleed during tracking sessions with open microphones
  • Foldable ergonomic design reduces footprint for transport without sacrificing build quality

👎 Cons

  • On-ear design creates more pressure on the outer ear than over-ear alternatives, which may cause fatigue during extended sessions beyond two hours
  • Closed-back architecture limits soundstage width compared to open-back headphones, making these less ideal as a primary mixing reference
  • Single-zone frequency response tuning lacks user-adjustable EQ profiles found on some competing studio monitors
  • Cable is not detachable, which means a damaged cable requires a full repair rather than a simple swap

Frequently Asked Questions

The K175 is designed with low impedance and high sensitivity, meaning it can be driven adequately by most audio interfaces, portable recorders, and even mobile devices without requiring a separate headphone amp. You will still get the best dynamic range from a dedicated output stage, but these are not power-hungry cans.
The closed-back design makes them primarily a tracking and live monitoring tool. They isolate well enough to prevent bleed into open microphones during recording sessions. For critical mixing, an open-back design generally provides a flatter, wider soundstage, but the K175 can serve as a reliable closed-back reference check.
Yes, the slow-retention foam ear pads are designed to be user-replaceable. AKG offers replacement pads, and the pad mounting system is straightforward, which extends the useful life of the headphones significantly.
The hinge mechanism is all-metal construction, not plastic. This is a meaningful design choice — plastic hinges are the most common failure point on foldable headphones. The metal hinge should withstand repeated folding and unfolding over years of use without developing play or snapping.