Sometimes we get asked to do the strangest yet most exciting of things here at Pocket-lint. So when we were invited down to Red Bull Studios in London to check out AKG's latest top-spec studio monitoring headphones we couldn't resist. Enter the AKG K812.

AKG has launched the K812 reference grade headphones, a pair of ￡1,000 over-ears that are designed for studio engineers and audiophiles after the very best sound quality for the money. We got to try a pair out at London's Red Bull studios earlier today.

We find out what sound quality you can expect from AKG's newly launched K812 reference headphones, which will set you back a cool £1,000

The open, spacious, musical presentation of the AKG K812 is truly world-class with music that has a simple, mellow treble. But when the music has a complex treble, it's harsh uncontrolled frequency response between 3kHz and 10kHz reveals itself as a fatal flaw to my ears.

We took a look at AKG's K712 Pro headphones a few issues back. At that time they were the company's top-of-the-range monitoring headphones, but not anymore! If you have a grand to spare you can now get hold of the K812, about which AKG's Director of Marketing and Product Development had this to say:

With hi-fi, my experience is that good loudspeakers and headphones are the biggest factor in play. And this "reference" model, as top-grade headphones are called, is one of the best.

Why spend ￡1000 on a pair of headphones like the K812s? There are great performers available for a fraction of the price (step forward AKG's own Award-winning ￡200

Impressive detail resolution and transparency; Well-built and beautifully engineered; Comfortable

Need a top-class system to shine

The K812 headphones are performing headphones. It is one of the few amazingly performing top tier reference headphones. The K812 is the flagship headphones from AKG, and the K812 is the absolute best which a renowned brand like AKG can offer.

Fabulous sound; solid controlled bass; lovely midrange and treble

None

A significant improvement on AKG's previous flagship headphones, the K812s are refined, revealing and comfortable.

Elegant; comfortable design; Superbly refined sound

Box and stand not best suited to studio use; AKG family sound may not be to everyone's taste

When we talk with headphone connoisseurs and audiophiles about high-end headphones, some headphones see more popularity than others. Brands like Audeze, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Hifiman, and Grado always seem to get their dues. But what about the AKG K812 Pro? At $1499, what is it good for?