On-Ear
AKG K490NC
72Good
$300
Full review dataAKG K490NC vs Apple Beats Solo2 Wireless: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the AKG K490NC vs Apple Beats Solo2 Wireless, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
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
Apple Beats Solo2 Wireless
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | AKG K490NC | Apple Beats Solo2 Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | Not scored |
| Released | 2018 | 2015 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 45 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | 115 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | Bluetooth |
| Codecs | - | unknown |
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Wireless range | - | 9 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 h | 12 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | - | none |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | No |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 150 g | 215 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | Yes | 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
Apple Beats Solo2 Wireless
These on-ear Bluetooth headphones offer a portable, foldable build and up to 12 hours of playback per charge. They rely on passive noise isolation rather than active cancellation, with a simple wired remote and mic for basic control. The sound signature is typically energetic, but the lack of modern features like app support or multipoint connectivity may limit their appeal.
- Pro:Foldable design for easy portability
- Pro:Long 12-hour battery life for wireless use
- Pro:Built-in mic and remote for calls and track control
- Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
- Con:No app support or custom EQ for tuning
- Con:Uses older micro-USB charging, not USB-C
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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