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Head-to-head · Best Open-back Headphones For Mixing

AKG K-712 Pro vs Focal Clear MG Professional

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

AKG K-712 Pro comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about mix engineers needing wide soundstage and neutral balance — read the strengths below before deciding.

AKG K-712 Pro
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Open-back Headphones For Mixing
AKG K-712 Pro
8 sources3 derived$469.99as of Sep 25

The AKG K712 Pro stands out for its exceptional soundstage and neutral tonal balance, making it well-suited for professional mixing and mastering tasks. Reviewers note its wide, open audio presentation and ability to reveal subtle details in music. However, the headphones suffer from an overly emphasized bass region that can muddy low frequencies and a treble response that lacks brightness and energy. While comfortable for extended use and built to last, these headphones may not satisfy those seeking a more dynamic or vivid sound signature.

Strengths
  • — Delivers wide, open, and immersive soundstage ideal for mixing and critical listening
  • — Features transparent neutral tonal balance suitable for professional audio work
  • — Includes comfortable self-adjusting headband and soft replaceable velour ear pads for long listening sessions
Watch-outs
  • — Bass is overly accentuated in the 200-300Hz region, leading to a warm and hazy sound
  • — Treble lacks sparkle and vibrance, with a dip around 9-10kHz that may feel veiled or less energetic
$469.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Focal Clear MG Professional
Ranked #6 in Best Open-back Headphones For Mixing
Focal Clear MG Professional
8 sources3 derived$1,494as of Sep 25

The Focal Clear MG Pro delivers a well-balanced sound profile with dynamic bass, smooth mids, and refined treble. Reviewers noted its close resemblance to the Clear OG but with enhanced treble extension and slightly better definition in the mids and highs. While the bass is described as class-leading and punchy, some reviewers observed a subtle dip in the 3-6kHz range that affects brightness. The open-back design caters to professional use, making it ideal for producers and mix engineers. It maintains Focal's signature house sound while offering a more refined iteration of the original model.

Strengths
  • — Bass is dynamic, deep, and punchy with class-leading impact and slam
  • — Mids are smooth, organic, full-bodied, and articulate with a dip around 4-5kHz that adds softness
  • — Treble is well-tuned with lively presence and improved clarity above 15kHz
Watch-outs
  • — Slight dip in energy between 3-6kHz may make the sound appear less bright than expected
  • — The headphone tuning may differ from the Clear MG, despite both being part of the same series
$1,494 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

AKG K-712 Pro

The AKG K-712 Pro delivers a wide soundstage and neutral balance, but its bass emphasis and lack of treble sparkle make it less appealing than the Focal Clear MG Pro, which offers smoother mids and better clarity.

Focal Clear MG Professional

The Focal Clear MG Pro offers dynamic bass and smooth mids, surpassing the AKG K-712 Pro's bass over-emphasis and treble dip. While it's less detailed than the Audeze LCD-X and lacks the open-back design of the HD 800 S, it provides a more balanced and refined sound compared to the HD 490 Pro, which has less clarity in the high frequencies.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAKG K-712 ProFocal Clear MG Professional
DesignOpen back, Over-earOpen-back
Impedance62 Ohm55 Ω
Connectormini XLR1/4" - 6,35mm TRS jack, 1/8" - 3.5mm TRS jack
Sensitivity105 dB SPL/V @ 1 kHz104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
Frequency Response10 Hz – 39800 Hz5 Hz – 23 kHz
Cable3m straight cable, 3m coiled cable1.2m Jack 1/8" cable
Weight235 g450 g / 0.99 lb
DriverOpenPure magnesium dome
← See the full ranking of best open-back headphones for mixing