On-Ear
AKG K490NC
72Good
$300
Full review dataAKG K490NC vs Apple Powerbeats3 Wireless: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the AKG K490NC vs Apple Powerbeats3 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 Powerbeats3 Wireless
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | AKG K490NC | Apple Powerbeats3 Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $200 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | Not scored |
| Released | 2018 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 10 mm |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 50 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | 96 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Codecs | - | AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 h | 10.5 h |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 1 h |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 150 g | 363 g |
| Water resistance | - | sweat-resistant |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | 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 Powerbeats3 Wireless
The Powerbeats3 Wireless are sport-focused Bluetooth earphones with ear hooks to keep them stable during workouts, and they use Apple's W1 chip to make pairing with iOS devices effortless. While the company claims up to 12 hours of playback, real-world testing brought that down to roughly 10.5 hours per charge. They're sweat-resistant and support quick top-ups, making them a solid option for active users who want reliable wireless audio without breaking the bank.
- Pro:Secure ear-hook design stays put during exercise
- Pro:Fast pairing with Apple devices thanks to W1 chip
- Pro:Sweat-resistant build suited for workouts
- Con:Battery life falls short of the advertised 12 hours
- Con:No USB-C port for modern charging
- Con:Sound quality is average for the price
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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