On-Ear
AKG K490NC
72Good
$300
Full review dataAKG K490NC vs AKG N60NC Wireless: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the AKG N60NC Wireless comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 76. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: AKG N60NC Wireless - Great overall at around $300.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
AKG K490NC
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery8.0
Value7.5
AKG N60NC Wireless
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery6.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | AKG K490NC | AKG N60NC Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 76 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2018 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 10Hz-22kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | 111 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 4.0 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 4.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 h | 15 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | - | feedback |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | No |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 150 g | 199.4 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 1 |
What reviewers said
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
AKG N60NC Wireless
The AKG N60NC Wireless is a compact, travel-focused pair of on-ear headphones with effective hybrid noise cancellation and a lively, balanced sound signature. They're comfortable and portable, making them a solid choice for commuters, though their wireless performance isn't quite as polished as the wired mode and battery life falls short of top competitors.
- Pro:Compact and lightweight design ideal for travel
- Pro:Effective noise cancellation for its size
- Pro:Entertaining, well-balanced audio quality
- Con:Wireless sound quality is slightly inferior to wired mode
- Con:Noise cancellation can weaken with jaw movement
- Con:Battery life is decent but not class-leading
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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