On-Ear
AKG K490NC
72Good
$300
Full review dataAKG K490NC vs Apple Beats Solo 4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the AKG K490NC comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 72. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: AKG K490NC - Good overall at around $300.
On-Ear
Apple Beats Solo 4
68Good
$200
Full review dataScore 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
Apple Beats Solo 4
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling0.0
Battery9.0
Calls6.0
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | AKG K490NC | Apple Beats Solo 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $200 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2018 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 40 mm |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | - | AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 h | 50 h |
| Full charge time | - | 10 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No |
| ANC type | - | none |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | No |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | Hey Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 150 g | 217 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | digital beamforming MEMS microphones |
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
Apple Beats Solo 4
The Beats Solo 4 are an on-ear, wireless headphone option that focuses on strong battery life and straightforward sound rather than premium extras. They deliver about 50 hours of playback and a comfortable fit for active use, but skip features like noise cancellation, transparency mode, and multipoint pairing. While they sound decent for the price, their dated design and missing conveniences make them a niche pick for those who prioritize endurance over features.
- Pro:Excellent battery life of around 50 hours
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for workouts
- Pro:Supports quick charging for fast top-ups
- Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
- Con:Lacks multipoint pairing and wear detection
- Con:No aptX or LDAC codec support for Android users
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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