If you want a straightforward wired pair for focused home and studio listening, choose Shure SRH440; if you need more flexible cables, folding portability, and a broader stated frequency range, choose AKG Pro Audio K371. For video calls, I’d lean toward the K371’s mix of portable design and connection options—but neither product sheet lists a built-in microphone.
• Shure SRH440’s biggest strength: a closed-back, around-ear design made for home and studio recording, with a detachable coiled cable. Trade-off: the listed connection is a 6.35 mm jack, so check that your device supports it or plan to use a compatible connection.
• AKG Pro Audio K371’s biggest strength: foldable construction, replaceable ear pads, and three included cable options. Trade-off: its supplied cables and adapters mean more pieces to keep track of.
• Shure SRH440 suits someone who wants a simple wired headphone setup for a fixed desk or studio position.
• AKG Pro Audio K371 suits someone who switches between studio gear and portable devices and values easier packing.
The SRH440 is a closed-back, over-ear headphone intended for home and studio recording. Its stated frequency range is 10 Hz to 22 kHz, and Shure describes its frequency response as designed for accurate audio across an extended range. That makes it a sensible option for someone who wants a dedicated wired listening tool for editing, recording, or checking audio at a desk.
Its coiled cable is detachable, which gives you the option to disconnect it for storage or replacement. The included threaded 1/4-inch adapter is useful when your audio equipment has that connection, and the carrying bag provides a way to stow the headphones and accessories together. The collapsible design is another practical touch if you need to put them away between sessions.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
I’d choose the SRH440 if your setup is mostly stationary and the 6.35 mm connection fits your equipment. I’d skip it if you want several cable lengths in the box or a headphone that folds specifically for frequent travel. For video calls, remember that the listed features do not include a microphone; you’ll need a separate mic or a computer’s built-in input.
The K371 is also a closed-back, over-ear wired headphone, but its design leans more toward switching between studio work and listening on the go. It folds for storage, has replaceable ear pads, and uses a mini-XLR connection at the headphone end. The stated frequency range is 5 Hz to 40 kHz, and AKG says the tuning is designed to match its reference-response target.
Its supplied cables make the K371 more adaptable across different setups: the package includes a 3-meter coiled cable, 3-meter and 1.2-meter straight cables, plus an adapter for 6.3 mm equipment. The listed impedance is 32 ohms. Taken together, these details make it the more versatile choice if you move between a portable music player and studio equipment with a larger headphone jack.
I’d consider the K371 if you want one wired pair for editing at home and packing for another location. The trade-off is that multiple cables and an adapter add a little accessory management. The product information describes sound isolation, not active noise cancelling, and it does not list a built-in microphone. So it is not an active noise cancelling headset for video calls, nor a complete call headset on its own.
• Best for a simple fixed studio setup → Shure SRH440. Its recording-focused design and detachable coiled cable suit a desk where you do not need to change connections often.
• Best for switching between devices → AKG Pro Audio K371. Its box includes straight and coiled cables, along with a 3.5 mm-to-6.3 mm adapter.
• Best for folding storage → AKG Pro Audio K371. Its foldable design is explicitly intended to make storage and portability easier.
• Best if replaceable ear pads matter → AKG Pro Audio K371. Replaceable pads are a stated part of its design.
• Best for a supplied 1/4-inch adapter → Shure SRH440. It includes a threaded 1/4-inch adapter; the K371 includes an adapter for 6.3 mm equipment.
• Best for the broader stated frequency range → AKG Pro Audio K371. Its range is listed as 5 Hz to 40 kHz, compared with 10 Hz to 22 kHz for the SRH440. That figure alone does not tell you which one will sound better to you.
• Best for video calls without buying a full headset → neither, based on the listed features. Neither product sheet specifies a built-in microphone. You’ll need a separate microphone or another call solution.
• Best for children’s calls → neither is specifically described as a kids’ headset. If you’re searching for the best kids headset for video calls, these adult over-ear headphones do not provide a listed microphone or child-specific fit information.
I’d buy the AKG Pro Audio K371 if I wanted one wired pair for both a desk setup and occasional travel. Its folding design, replaceable pads, and three included cable options make it the more adaptable package in my opinion.
For video calls, though, I’d pair it with a separate microphone. If your use is strictly a stationary home or studio setup and the Shure’s connection suits your equipment, the SRH440 remains a straightforward alternative.
Neither product’s listed features specify a built-in microphone. For calls, plan to use a separate microphone or your device’s built-in mic.
No active noise cancelling feature is listed. The K371 is a closed-back headphone with sound isolation, which is different from active noise cancellation.
The K371 comes with 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm adapter compatibility, plus coiled and straight cables in two lengths. The SRH440 includes a detachable coiled cable and a threaded 1/4-inch adapter, so it may suit a simpler setup.
Value depends on which features you’ll use, so check the current price on Amazon before deciding. The K371 includes more cable options and a foldable design; the SRH440 keeps the package more focused on home and studio use.
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