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AKG K490NC vs FiiO EH11: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the FiiO EH11 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: FiiO EH11 - Outstanding overall at around $30.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

FiiO EH11 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • AKG K490NC
  • FiiO EH11
HearWiki score
36
85
Sound
6.0
8.0
Noise cancelling
3.5
-
Battery
6.0
8.0
Calls
-
6.0
Value
-
10.0
Price (USD)
$50
$30

Specifications

K490NCEH11
Type
On-Ear
On-Ear
Price (USD)
$50
$30
HearWiki score
36
85
Released
2018
2026
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
40 mm dynamic
40 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
40 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
17 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
16 Ω
Sensitivity
117 dB/mW
-
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
117
-
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Battery life
-
30 h
Full charge time
-
90 min
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
Companion app
-
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Controls
-
both
Weight
150 g
92 g
Foldable
Yes
-
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
No
-
Connector
3.5 mm
-
Microphones
-
1

What reviewers said

AKG K490NC

The AKG K490NC are lightweight, foldable on-ear headphones that pair a balanced 40mm dynamic driver with active noise cancellation for everyday listening. Their sound and ANC are competent for casual use, though not class-leading, and the included wired connection with detachable cable adds flexibility at a budget-friendly price. Battery life and portability are highlights, making them a solid pick for commuters rather than critical listeners.

  • Pro:Lightweight and foldable for easy travel
  • Pro:Balanced sound with decent clarity for the price
  • Pro:Active noise cancellation works well for casual environments
  • Con:ANC and soundstage are only middling, not top-tier
  • Con:High mids and sub-bass decay could be better
  • Con:Recharge via a non-standard USB-to-2.5mm cable

FiiO EH11

The FiiO EH11 blends a vintage-inspired look with modern wireless tech, featuring wooden ear cups that also act as control dials. Its semi-open design houses a 40mm dynamic driver, and with LDAC support plus 30 hours of playback, it offers solid performance for a budget-friendly price. Multipoint connectivity and app-based EQ add to its versatility.

  • Pro:Stylish retro-futuristic design with wooden earcups
  • Pro:Long 30-hour battery life
  • Pro:Supports LDAC for high-quality wireless audio
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Semi-open design may leak sound
  • Con:Plastic build might not feel premium

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonAKG K490NCFiiO EH11