Over-Ear
AKG K52
76Great
$46
Full review dataAKG K52 vs Sennheiser HD 400: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 400 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 400 - Great overall at around $77.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 400
82Great
$77
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
AKG K52
Sound7.5
Value8.0
Sennheiser HD 400
Sound8.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | AKG K52 | Sennheiser HD 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $46 | $77 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 82 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2018 | - |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm | Sennheiser dynamic drivers |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 18Hz-20kHz | 18Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 120 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.2 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | wired | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 200 g | 240 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 1 |
What reviewers said
AKG K52
The AKG K52 is a budget-friendly wired over-ear headphone that delivers a clean, balanced sound with an airy presentation, making it a solid pick for studio-style listening. It's lightweight, comfortable, and built simply, offering practical value rather than flashy features. For the price, it's hard to fault if you prioritize neutral audio and affordability.
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended sessions
- Pro:Balanced, neutral sound with clear highs
- Pro:Solid build and simple, functional design
- Con:Wired only, no Bluetooth or wireless options
- Con:No noise cancellation or extra features
- Con:Soundstage may feel limited for some listeners
Sennheiser HD 400
These over-ear Sennheiser headphones are built around a neutral, open-back design aimed at studio work, delivering a wide soundstage and detailed, transparent audio for critical listening. They are lightweight and comfortable for long sessions, with a high-impedance driver setup that helps maintain low distortion, though they lack isolation and come without a carry case. Wired connectivity via USB-C and detachable cables adds versatility, but the open-back nature means sound leaks both ways.
- Pro:Accurate, transparent sound with wide soundstage
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Pro:Detachable cables and USB-C connectivity
- Con:No included carry case or spare ear pads
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Con:High impedance may require a dedicated amplifier for best results
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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