If you want lightweight, neutral-sounding over-ear headphones for video calls, choose AKG Pro Audio K361; if you need detachable cables and swiveling earcups for one-ear monitoring, choose Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. The K361 is the more appealing everyday desk companion; the ATH-M40x is the more flexible pick for monitoring and cable changes.
Neither model is a Bluetooth headset, and neither product sheet lists a built-in microphone. For calls, plan to use your computer’s microphone or a separate mic.
• AKG Pro Audio K361: A lightweight, foldable 219 g design with a closed-back fit and a stated 15 Hz–28 kHz frequency response. Its main trade-off: it is wired, and no built-in microphone is listed.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M40x: Closed-back isolation, 90-degree swiveling earcups, and two detachable cable options. Its trade-off: the supplied features don’t list a built-in microphone or wireless connection.
• Choose the K361 if low weight, a neutral sound description, and a pair of cable lengths matter most.
• Choose the ATH-M40x if you want to swap between a coiled and straight cable or monitor with one ear.
• For video calls, either can provide wired headphone listening, but neither is described as a complete headset with a mic.
The K361’s clearest advantage is its combination of low weight, foldability, and a stated neutral, accurate sound profile. It weighs 219 g and uses a closed-back, over-ear design. AKG also lists a 15 Hz–28 kHz frequency response and 50 mm drivers. Those details make it a sensible option for someone who wants a pair for listening, editing, or working at a desk without choosing a heavier-feeling design on paper.
The included 1.2 m and 3 m straight cables give you two ways to set up. The shorter cable may suit a compact desk arrangement; the longer one allows more room to move around a workspace. A 3.5 mm-to-6.5 mm adapter is also included, which may help when connecting to equipment with a larger headphone jack. The earcups fold, and the slow-retention foam pads are designed with longer wear in mind.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-14 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
For calls, the K361’s strengths are practical rather than headset-specific: it is wired, over-ear, and described as lightweight. But no built-in microphone is listed, so you’ll need another mic for your voice. Skip it if you specifically need Bluetooth, an integrated call microphone, or a detachable cable. Its supplied cables are straight rather than coiled, and that may not suit every desk or studio setup.
The ATH-M40x is a stronger fit for someone who values cable flexibility and one-ear monitoring. Its earcups swivel 90 degrees, and the product information describes them as folding toward the headband for storage. That makes the design relevant to DJs, singers, or anyone who prefers to listen with one ear while keeping the other free. The closed-back, over-ear construction is intended to isolate the listener from surrounding sound.
Its two included detachable cables—one coiled and one straight—are the main practical distinction from the K361. A coiled cable can give you slack near your work area without leaving a long straight cable trailing across it; the straight cable offers a simpler alternative. The cable connects on the left side, and the bundle also lists a screw-on adapter and carrying pouch.
The trade-off is that the supplied information gives no weight or frequency-response range for this model, so it’s harder to compare those details directly with the K361. It is still a wired, over-ear option, and no built-in microphone or Bluetooth connection is listed. For video calls, that means you should treat it as headphone output rather than a full communications headset. Choose another type of product if you need wireless freedom or an included mic.
• Best for a lightweight listed design → AKG Pro Audio K361. Its stated weight is 219 g; the ATH-M40x sheet does not provide a comparable figure.
• Best for two straight cable lengths → AKG Pro Audio K361. It includes 1.2 m and 3 m straight cables.
• Best for choosing between coiled and straight cables → Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. Both cable types are detachable and included.
• Best for one-ear monitoring → Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. Its earcups swivel 90 degrees, a useful feature for monitoring with one ear.
• Best for a stated extended frequency range → AKG Pro Audio K361. Its listed range is 15 Hz–28 kHz; the ATH-M40x information here does not specify a range.
• Best for storage-friendly folding → Both have a foldable design. The K361 folds, while the ATH-M40x earcups fold toward the headband.
• Best for video calls without a separate mic → Neither. No built-in microphone is listed for either model.
• Best for wireless calls → Neither. Both are presented as wired headphones, not Bluetooth headsets.
The keyword comparison, akg k361 vs audio-technica ath-m40x, comes down to a straightforward distinction: the K361 emphasizes low weight and a stated sound range, while the ATH-M40x emphasizes cable swapping and swiveling earcups. For everyday work, those differences matter more than assuming either pair has call features the product details don’t specify.
The three long-tail descriptions sometimes used for call gear—sleep headphones for video calls, bluetooth in ear headphones for video calls, and sweat resistant on ear headphones for video calls—don’t describe either of these models. Both are wired, over-ear headphones, and the supplied information does not list sleep-focused construction, Bluetooth, in-ear styling, on-ear styling, or sweat resistance. If those are your requirements, look for a different category rather than trying to make this pair of choices fit.
For sound, there is one useful piece of direct information: AKG describes the K361 as neutral and accurate and lists its frequency response. Audio-Technica describes the ATH-M40x as having a flat, accurate response, but the provided product details don’t give its frequency range. That makes it unwise to declare a clear winner on sound from these figures alone. If you care about isolation, both are closed-back over-ear designs, but neither sheet provides a measured isolation figure.
Comfort is also a matter of what the provided facts can support. AKG gives a weight and describes slow-retention foam ear pads; Audio-Technica lists cushioning on the headband and earpads but does not provide a comparable weight in the supplied details. I’d give the K361 the edge for someone prioritizing a clearly documented lightweight design, while the ATH-M40x has a more explicit one-ear monitoring advantage.
I’d choose the AKG Pro Audio K361 for everyday wired listening and video calls, because its 219 g weight, two straight cable lengths, and stated neutral sound profile make it the more straightforward desk pick. You’ll still need a separate microphone for calls. I’d choose the ATH-M40x instead if detachable coiled and straight cables or 90-degree swiveling earcups matter more than the K361’s listed weight and frequency range.
FAQ
They can provide headphone audio over a wired connection, but neither product sheet lists a built-in microphone. Use a separate microphone or the one built into your computer if you choose either pair.
The K361 is listed at 219 g. The supplied ATH-M40x details don’t include a comparable weight, so there isn’t enough information here to make a direct weight comparison.
No Bluetooth connection is listed for either model. Both are described as wired headphones, so they are not a match for someone who specifically wants wireless call listening.
The ATH-M40x has 90-degree swiveling earcups, which are designed to support one-ear monitoring. The K361 also folds, but its supplied details don’t list the same swivel feature.
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