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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-03 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• AKG Pro Audio K361 — biggest strength: A closed-back, over-ear design with 50mm dynamic drivers, a 15 Hz–28 kHz response and 32 ohm impedance, built for accurate monitoring and isolation.
• AKG Pro Audio K361 — biggest trade-off: It is a wired headphone only (3.5mm jack, with 3m and 1.2m cables included), so there is no wireless freedom here.
• MAONO Podcast Microphone PM320S+ — biggest strength: It bundles a podcast microphone with MH700 professional studio monitor headphones in one package.
• MAONO Podcast Microphone PM320S+ — biggest trade-off: The data sheet lists far fewer published specs, so there is less detail to compare on paper.
• Who each pick is for: Pick the AKG K361 if monitoring quality and comfort are your priority; pick the MAONO PM320S+ if you want a microphone and headphones together as a starter kit.
The K361 is a wired, over-ear, closed-back headphone. In plain terms, that combination is the classic recipe for podcast and studio work: the closed-back oval earcups seal around your ears, which the spec sheet credits with superior isolation and an improved low-frequency response. When you are tracking a voice, that isolation matters — it keeps your ears on the source instead of the room.
The numbers back up the intent. AKG lists a frequency response of 15 Hz to 28 kHz, 50mm dynamic drivers, 32 ohm impedance and 114 dB sensitivity. Low impedance like 32 ohm is friendly to everyday gear — laptops, interfaces and phones can drive it without drama. The 50mm drivers are described as largest-in-class with pure oxygen-free copper voice coils, aimed at clear, balanced lows, mids and highs so you can trust what you hear while editing.
Who should buy it? Podcasters, voiceover artists, engineers and beat makers who want one honest, isolating wired headphone for recording and mixing. Who should skip it? Anyone who wants wireless audio — despite the Bluetooth field in the listing, this is a wired 3.5mm headphone. And if you still need a microphone, this doesn't include one.
MAONO Podcast Microphone PM320S+: Who It's For
The MAONO Podcast Microphone PM320S+ is positioned as a bundle: a podcast microphone paired with MH700 professional studio monitor headphones. That framing tells you a lot about who it's for. If you are starting a podcast from zero and would rather buy one kit than assemble a chain of separate pieces, a microphone-plus-headphones package removes a decision and a shopping trip.
The honest caveat is the data. Beyond the brand (MAONO) and the model pairing (PM320S+ microphone, MH700 monitor headphones), the sheet publishes very little — no driver size, no impedance, no frequency range, no weight, no cable details, no connectivity specifics. That's not a knock on the product; it simply means a spec-by-spec shootout against the K361 isn't possible from the paperwork alone.
So judge it on its shape rather than its numbers. It's for the beginner podcaster, the solo creator recording interviews at a desk, or the streamer who wants monitoring headphones in the same box as the mic. It's also for someone who values brand consistency across their audio chain. Who should skip it? Buyers who obsess over published specs, who need a specific impedance or frequency response for critical mixing, or who already own headphones and only want a microphone.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for accurate, isolating monitoring → AKG Pro Audio K361. Closed-back over-ear cups, 50mm drivers and a 15 Hz–28 kHz range are all aimed at hearing detail.
• Best for a one-box podcast starter setup → MAONO Podcast Microphone PM320S+. Microphone plus monitor headphones in a single package.
• Best for long sessions → AKG Pro Audio K361. At 219 grams with slow-retention foam pads and an adjustable calibrated headband, the design targets long-wearing comfort.
• Best for single-ear monitoring → AKG Pro Audio K361. The earcups swivel 90 degrees, handy for keeping one ear on the room.
• Best for published, comparable specs → AKG Pro Audio K361. Frequency response, impedance, sensitivity, driver size and weight are all listed; the MAONO sheet is sparse.
• Best for wireless freedom → neither. The K361 is a wired 3.5mm headphone, and no wireless spec is published for the MAONO bundle.
• Best for desk-based recording where you already own a mic → AKG Pro Audio K361. You get a dedicated monitoring tool instead of duplicating gear.
In my opinion, the AKG Pro Audio K361 is the better buy for anyone whose priority is the headphone itself. The published specs tell a coherent story — closed-back isolation, 50mm drivers, 32 ohm impedance, 15 Hz–28 kHz, 219 grams, foldable with two cables and an adapter — and that story matches what podcast monitoring actually demands. I would pick the MAONO PM320S+ only if you genuinely want a microphone and headphones together and don't mind working with a thinner spec sheet. For pure "headphones for podcast" duty, I recommend the K361.
Headphones let you hear your own voice and any remote guests in real time, so you can catch mic problems and control your levels as you record. A closed-back design like the K361's also isolates you from room noise, which the spec sheet credits with superior isolation and better low-frequency response.
how to set up headphones for podcast
Plug them into your interface's headphone output — the K361 uses a 3.5mm jack and ships with a 3.5mm-to-6.5mm adapter plus 3m and 1.2m cables, so it fits both consumer and pro sockets. Set monitoring volume low enough that it doesn't bleed back into the microphone, and use the 90-degree swiveling earcup if you want one ear open.
what is the best headphones for podcasting
There's no single answer, but in my opinion a closed-back over-ear model with an accurate response is the safest bet — that's what the K361's 15 Hz–28 kHz range, 50mm drivers and neutral tuning are designed for. If you'd rather have a mic and headphones bundled, the MAONO PM320S+ pairs a podcast microphone with MH700 monitor headphones.
what are good headphones for podcasting
Look for isolation, comfort and honest sound. The K361 covers those with closed-back oval earcups, 219-gram weight, slow-retention foam pads and an adjustable calibrated headband. If you want to compare current pricing before deciding, check the latest price on Amazon.
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