On-Ear
AKG K490NC
72Good
$300
Full review dataAKG K490NC vs Bose SoundTrue On-Ear Headphones: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the AKG K490NC vs Bose SoundTrue On-Ear Headphones, 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
Bose SoundTrue On-Ear Headphones
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | AKG K490NC | Bose SoundTrue On-Ear Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $180 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | Not scored |
| Released | 2018 | 2014 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 36 mm |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 h | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | none |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 150 g | 111 g |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | 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
Bose SoundTrue On-Ear Headphones
These wired on-ear headphones from Bose focus on all-day comfort and straightforward sound, featuring a lightweight, foldable build for easy travel. They deliver clear audio with a balanced signature and include an inline mic and remote for basic call and playback control, though they lack active noise cancellation and wireless connectivity.
- Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable for extended listening
- Pro:Foldable design makes them easy to pack and carry
- Pro:Clear, balanced sound suitable for most music genres
- Con:No active noise cancellation, so background noise bleeds in
- Con:Wired-only operation, no Bluetooth support
- Con:On-ear fit may not suit everyone, especially for long sessions
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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