On-Ear
AKG K490NC
72Good
$300
Full review dataAKG K490NC vs Beats Solo 4: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the AKG K490NC vs Beats Solo 4, 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
Beats Solo 4
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | AKG K490NC | Beats Solo 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $200 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | Not scored |
| Released | 2018 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 40mm |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 0 |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | - | AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 h | 50 h |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 5 h |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 150 g | 217 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
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
Beats Solo 4
The Beats Solo 4 are lightweight on-ear wireless headphones that emphasize long battery life and flexible wired connectivity. They support personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, but skip active noise cancellation and multipoint pairing, making them a straightforward option for those who prioritize simplicity and endurance over premium features.
- Pro:Exceptional 50-hour battery life
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable on-ear design
- Pro:Supports lossless audio via USB-C or 3.5mm cable
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No multipoint Bluetooth pairing
- Con:Limited codec support (only AAC and SBC)
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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