On-Ear
AKG K490NC
72Good
$300
Full review dataAKG K490NC vs Beats Solo2 Wireless: 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.
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 Solo2 Wireless
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling1.0
Battery7.0
Calls5.0
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | AKG K490NC | Beats Solo2 Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 72 / 100 · Good |
| 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 | ||
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Wireless range | - | 9 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 h | 12 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 150 g | 205 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| 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
Beats Solo2 Wireless
These on-ear wireless headphones offer a bold, engaging sound with a comfortable fit and a practical 12-hour battery life. While they perform well across many genres, their lack of noise cancellation and limited codec support keep them from being top-tier in feature-rich environments. They are a solid, stylish choice for everyday listening, especially if you value a lively presentation over advanced tech.
- Pro:Long 12-hour battery life
- Pro:Comfortable fit for extended use
- Pro:Bold, engaging sound profile
- Con:Weak noise isolation for loud spaces
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Only supports SBC codec
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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