AKG K553 PRO

| Over-Ear | 50 mm Driver |

? AKG K553 PRO, a closed-back, professional monitor from AKG.

The AKG K553 PRO features an over-ear, closed-back design and 50mm drivers – which are the biggest drivers on any AKG headphone.

The earpads of the AKG K553 PRO are very large and made of leatherette but the cups do not protrude much (sideways). The headband is fully built with metal and has a fair amount of padding.

AKG ranks the AKG K553 PRO as a studio headphones for monitoring, mixing and mastering and belongs to the professional headphones line of the brand among the:

• AKG K872
• AKG K812 PRO
• AKG K712 PRO
• AKG K701
• AKG K702
• AKG K612 PRO
• AKG K240

To be more precise, the AKG K553 PRO are part of the AKG K55X series, which is probably one of the most confusing products line of the company (something similarly confusing as the Sennheiser HD 598 line, read our review of the HD 598 CS for a deeper insight).

The AKG K55X line includes so many similar looking models (current and discontinued) that consumers remain confused about the differences. To clear up this matter, we are listing some of the models belonging to the AKG K55X line:

• AKG K550 – first model of the line
• AKG K550 MKII – second version of the original AKG K550
• AKG K550 MKIII – third version of the AKG K550 that included a detachable cable design for the first time
• AKG K553 PRO – newer model with distinct copperish-gold details
• AKG K553 MKII – identically looking model to the AKG K553 PRO but with a single-sided detachable cable
• AKG K551 – model that comes with a 3-button remote/mic and can be purchase either in white with a blue cable (AKG K551WHT) or black and silver with black cable (AKG K551SLV)

You can buy the AKG K553 PRO in black color.

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AKG K553 PRO Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

AKG K553 PRO weight in Ounces and AKG K553 PRO weight in grams.

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Accessories & Packaging

The AKG K553 PRO unboxing results in only 1 accessory, a 1/4” (6.3mm) adapter. The unit is packed inside a large box with a simple design.

^6.5_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The AKG K553 PRO bass has solid punch and adequate depth, they are not a basshead headphone nor are limited to a bass-only sound but neither sound thin (at all) and will ever get an anemic response to cover lower frequencies demands.

Overall, their bass is nicely balanced with a full and energetic sound but that does not step over the rest of the audio frequencies.

Applying an EQ, there is a much stronger punch and crazily deeper sub-bass with a pronounced makeover into a bassy headphone sounding style.

^_8.75/10

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Mids & Vocals

The AKG K553 PRO mids have satisfactorily clean male vocals with a tint of a laid-back tuning that gives them a relaxed feel. Mid-bass bleed is fairly controlled and not too invasive nor adds any excessive congestion.

Higher mids offer decent crispness but tend to a bit of recession and present no harsh peaks.

Overall, their mids are relaxed, warm and cozy.

An EQ gives their mids a much more polished sound quality with cleaner lower mids, weaker mid-bass bleed, less congested sound and crispier highs while not getting harsh.

^_8.5/10

Highs & Treble

The AKG K553 PRO offer good brightness and are able to resolve a fair amount of detail. Piercing and sibilant highs are not frequently present but might mildly arise with fatiguing-prone tracks.

With an EQ there is a very noticeable increment of brightness and detail that will be very welcomed by listeners wanting “better” sounding highs.

^8_/10

Sound Leak

The sound leaking out of the AKG K553 PRO is substantially lower than on most average headphones, allowing listeners to use them on any situation without worrying about their leakage.

^8.75_/10

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Sound Isolation

The sound isolation provided by the AKG K553 PRO is superb, with a nearly absolute isolation when listening to music at any moderate and upwards volume.

^9.25_/10

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Comfort

The AKG K553 PRO are certainly large headphones but by having, also, very large and soft pads and a fairly light weight (for it’s size); they are able to provide a satisfactory fit and pain-free comfort.

Moreover, the cups have rotational movements allowing them to lay fully flat and can be tilted for a better fit.

The general build is excellent with robust materials and a combination of metal pieces and rugged plastics – the headband is made of metal, is clicky and easy to extend.

The overall structure and mostly the headband design looks very similar to the JBL Synchros S700.

^9.5_/10

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Response to Equalization

The response to EQ showed phenomenal improvement on mids and highs with a general cleaning up and brightening of it’s sound – bass can also be pushed for a much more intense sound.

^9_/10

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Size & Fit

AKG K553 PRO size and AKG K553 PRO fit

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Scores

AKG K553 PRO Scores

• Design - 10/10
  10/10
• Bass - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Mids - 8.5/10
  8.5/10
• Highs - 8/10
  8/10
• Sound Leak - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Sound Isolation - 9.25/10
  9.3/10
• Comfort - 9.5/10
  9.5/10
• Response to EQ - 9/10
  9/10
• Value for Money - 9.5/10
  9.5/10
• Additional Score for Construction Quality - 10/10
  10/10

Summary

AWARDS

Pros

• ✅ Full bass but not invasive

✅Warm vocals

✅Smooth mids

✅Sufficiently bright and detailed highs

✅Non-harsh and non-fatiguing profile

✅Easy to drive – also with smartphones

✅All metal and rugged construction

✅Clean design

✅Very comfortable

✅Can lay fully flat

✅High volume output

✅Great value for money

Cons

• ❌ Only 1 accessory is included: a 6.3mm (1/4”) adapter

❌Fixed non-detachable cable (if you want a version with detachable cables you can get the AKG K553 MKII or the AKG K550 MKIII)

Conclusion

• The AKG K553 PRO are excellent headphones with a full, warm and cozy but fairly balanced sound and a gentle personality that does not become too fatiguing.
• The AKG K553 PRO are probably one of the better looking and more usable very large-sized over-headphones and are also perfectly fit for city use due to their flat design and non-protruding cups (if you are ok with the big cup's diameter).

9.1/10

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AKG K553 PRO Frequency Response Curve

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AKG K553 PRO Technical Specifications

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Photos

AKG K553 PRO Photos

AKG K553 PRO

9.1

SCORE

9.1/10