How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a featherweight, foldable pair you can stuff in a bag for flights, choose JVC Lightweight Flat; if you need closed-back over-ear isolation and studio-grade drivers for focused listening, choose AKG K72.
• JVC Lightweight Flat – biggest strength: A 2-way foldable (flat and compact) design at just 140 g, which makes it the easier one to pack and carry for travel.
• JVC Lightweight Flat – biggest trade-off: It's an on-ear wired model with passive noise cancellation only, so it won't block out as much surrounding sound as a closed-back over-ear design.
• AKG K72 – biggest strength: Closed-back over-ear construction with 40 mm drivers and a wide 16 Hz–20 kHz range for reference-style monitoring.
• AKG K72 – biggest trade-off: At 500 g with a fixed 9.8' cable, it's heavier and less packable than the JVC.
• Who the JVC is for: Anyone who wants lightweight, foldable, on-the-go listening with a built-in mic.
• Who the AKG is for: Listeners who want isolation, over-ear comfort and accurate detail for long sessions.
The JVC Lightweight Flat is built around portability. It uses a 2-way foldable design that collapses both flat and compact, and it weighs in at just 140 g. That combination is what makes it easy to toss in a backpack or a carry-on without it becoming a bulky item you have to plan around. If you're putting together a travel kit and want headphones that disappear into your bag, this is the design logic working in your favor.
Sound-wise, it runs a 30 mm neodymium dynamic driver with a 10 Hz–20 kHz frequency range and a dynamic bass port, so JVC is clearly aiming for punchy low-end rather than flat, clinical accuracy. There's also a 1-button remote and mic that works with iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android and BlackBerry devices, which makes it a practical pick for calls and voice notes on the move. The 3.5 mm wired jack keeps things simple — no charging, no pairing.
Who should buy it: travelers, commuters, students and casual listeners who want something light, foldable and wired with a mic. Parents hunting for best kids headphones for flights should also note the lightweight build and on-ear fit, though the adult age range description is worth keeping in mind. Who should skip it: anyone who needs serious isolation or wants to hear fine detail in a mix. The passive noise cancellation and on-ear shape simply won't seal you off from a noisy cabin the way a closed-back over-ear will.
The AKG K72 is a different animal. It's a closed-back, over-ear studio headphone with professional-grade 40 mm drivers and a 16 Hz–20 kHz frequency response. The closed-back design maximizes isolation, which is the key spec here — it's built to keep outside noise out and your audio in. For anyone who wants to focus without turning the volume up, that matters more than weight.
Comfort is handled by a self-adjusting headband and a lightweight (for its class) over-ear construction, and the earpads are replaceable — a genuinely useful detail, since pads are usually the first thing to wear out. The cable is a single-sided, non-detachable 1/8" TRS at 9.8 feet, and AKG includes a 1/4" screw-on adapter, which tells you this is aimed at rehearsals, studios, live stages and desktop setups as much as casual listening.
Who should buy it: producers, musicians, podcasters and detail-focused listeners who want isolation and an accurate, extended low end — AKG specifically calls out definition for kick drums and bass guitars. With 32 ohm impedance and 112 dB sensitivity, it's also easy to drive from a phone or laptop. Who should skip it: frequent flyers who want to travel light. At 500 g with a long fixed cable, it's not the pair you casually fold into a jacket pocket.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for packing and portability → JVC Lightweight Flat (2-way foldable, 140 g vs. 500 g).
• Best for isolation on a plane → AKG K72 (closed-back over-ear design that maximizes isolation).
• Best for detailed, accurate listening → AKG K72 (40 mm drivers, 16 Hz–20 kHz, reference-monitor intent).
• Best for long sessions → AKG K72 (self-adjusting headband, over-ear comfort, replaceable earpads).
• Best for casual bass-forward fun → JVC Lightweight Flat (dynamic bass port, 30 mm neodymium driver).
• Best for a stationary desk or studio setup → AKG K72 (9.8' cable plus 1/4" adapter).
• Best for grab-and-go simplicity → JVC Lightweight Flat (wired 3.5 mm, no charging, no pairing).
For the specific job of headphones for flights and general travel, I'd buy the JVC Lightweight Flat. In my opinion, the 140 g weight and 2-way foldable body are exactly what you want when you're squeezing gear into a carry-on, and the built-in mic is a real convenience for calls at the gate. The AKG K72 is the better-sounding, better-isolating tool — I'd recommend it without hesitation for studio work, mixing or anyone who wants to shut out the room. But if your priority is a light, packable pair to get you through a trip, the JVC is the one I'd reach for.
how to use external headphones on mac
Both are wired 3.5 mm headphones, so on a Mac with a standard headphone jack you simply plug in and the system routes audio automatically. If your Mac only has USB-C, you'd need a 3.5 mm-to-USB-C adapter. The AKG K72 also ships with a 1/4" screw-on adapter for audio interfaces and mixers.
how to connect mobile headphones
The JVC Lightweight Flat connects through its 3.5 mm jack and works with iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android and BlackBerry devices, with a 1-button remote and mic for control. The AKG K72 is also wired via a 3.5 mm jack, and its 32 ohm impedance and 112 dB sensitivity make it easy to drive from a phone. Neither uses wireless technology — both are wired-only.
how to connect c port headphones
Neither of these is a USB-C headphone. Both use a traditional 3.5 mm jack, so to use them with a USB-C-only phone or laptop you'd need a 3.5 mm-to-USB-C adapter. Once adapted, they behave like any standard wired pair.
how to pack headphones
The JVC Lightweight Flat is the easier one here, thanks to its 2-way foldable design that collapses flat and compact — ideal for a backpack or carry-on. The AKG K72 is a fixed over-ear design at 500 g with a non-detachable 9.8' cable, so it needs more room and a pouch or case to travel safely.
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