AKG K182

The K182 is almost exclusively made of plastic, but don’t let that put you off. The construction is still incredibly robust, holding up well to rigorous recording sessions. The omission of too many metal components is actually a wise choice here, bringing benefits to the wearer. For example, things feel comfortable right from the off, with no pinching induced by metallic joints and reinforcements, while the lightweight 250 gram design means it sits on the head without making itself known. In addition to all of this, the earpieces have 3cm-thick collapsible zone Speaking of the earpieces, the velour pads that adorn them are certainly comfortable in terms of texture, but they can become a little hot after a good one or two hours of use.

The solid construction of these headphones is slightly sprung, while passive noise reduction is enabled whether you’re opting for single-ear listening or two-ear audio immersion. With their folding mechanism and 3D pivot function, these headphones would work well on tour, slipping away discreetly and safely into gig bags or cases.

Typical of all AKG studio headphones, the K182 is conventionally wired via mini XLR socket that meets with the left earpiece. A three-metre long cable, complete with strain relief at both ends, is also included. If you prefer to use a spiral cable, you can purchase a compatible one later or look into exchanging the one supplied for your component of choice. A real plus is the fact you can reorder many of the integral parts from AKG as individual components wear over time, enabling you to maintain your headphones for longer and enjoy a healthy service life.

With 32 Ohm, the K182 delivers plenty of room for flexibility when it comes to sound reserves. You can even operate on quiet settings and low quality outputs and receive seriously juicy loudness in return. When connected to regular headphone mix and monitor outputs, you can push the volume levels a considerable way before crossing the threshold where sound intensity becomes too much for sensitive listeners.

Sound Management

In terms of sound performance, this headphone model plays to its strengths with bass, pushing beats and bass runs forward with some serious pace and punch. Closed headphone designs like this one, however, have some serious market competition, with competitor models that can handle impulse fidelity with much more precision. However, this offering from AKG is certainly a reliable and consistent performer. EDM or hip-hop producers might also find this headphone model a good choice of listener for getting a second opinion on what’s been heard through the main monitor, particularly when it comes to the bass range.

in the sub-bass spectrum, I found things were lacking some character and substance. The mids are well balanced and overall the mix is a balanced affair, however there’s elements like keyboards and vocals that, while assertive, seem far too removed and distinct from the rest of the mix. This rather relaxed sound character is more suited to fatigue-free, concentrated recording sessions. With a range between 400 and 1,000 Hz, things are too sober and flat for anything too analytical or crisp and clean mixing. Slightly above all this, in the upper midrange that is, things begin to stand out. Sometimes, overemphasis is a problem, while brash output is also recurrent. However, in the highs, things are far too neat and tidy to blend well. All in all, the stereo field is somewhat encompassing and intimate.