On-Ear
AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ
72Good
$199
Full review dataAIAIAI TMA-2 DJ vs AKG K490NC: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 72. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ - Good overall at around $199.
On-Ear
AKG K490NC
72Good
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ
Sound7.5
Value7.0
AKG K490NC
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery8.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ | AKG K490NC |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $199 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | - | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Titanium-coated 40 mm driver with S02 MKII driver unit and bio-cellulose cone | dynamic |
| Driver type | Bio-cellulose | - |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Driver size | 40mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 10Hz - 40kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB/mW | 117 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity | 97 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 40 h |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 150 g |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
What reviewers said
AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ
The AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ is a modular, wired on-ear headphone built for DJing, offering a warm, bass-forward sound with low distortion thanks to its titanium-coated bio-cellulose driver. Its standout feature is repairability and customization, letting you swap parts for long-term use, though it lacks wireless and noise-canceling features. It works well for studio monitoring and casual listening, but its wired-only, on-ear design limits versatility for travel or sports.
- Pro:Warm, punchy bass with low distortion
- Pro:Modular design allows easy repairs and upgrades
- Pro:Comfortable memory-foam ear pads
- Con:No Bluetooth or noise cancellation
- Con:On-ear fit may not suit all-day wear
- Con:Wired-only limits portability and multi-use
AKG K490NC
The AKG K490NC is a compact, foldable on-ear headphone that pairs active noise cancellation with a long-lasting 40-hour battery for everyday travel use. Its sound is balanced and serviceable, though not class-leading, and the ANC is solid but not exceptional, making it a better fit for casual listening than critical or immersive sessions. While it performs well for its price tier, some aspects like soundstage and high-mid clarity leave room for improvement.
- Pro:Long 40-hour battery life
- Pro:Foldable and lightweight design for portability
- Pro:Balanced overall sound with decent detail
- Con:Soundstage and ANC are only middling
- Con:High mids and sub-bass decay could be better
- Con:Recharge via non-standard USB-to-2.5mm cable
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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