Over-Ear
AKG K52
60Average
$46
Full review dataAKG K52 vs QCY H3S: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the QCY H3S comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: QCY H3S - Outstanding overall at around $34.
Over-Ear
QCY H3S
81Outstanding
$34
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
QCY H3S leads on 7 of 7 measures.
- AKG K52
- QCY H3S
HearWiki score
60
81
Sound
6.2
7.5
Noise cancelling
-
7.4
Battery
-
9.8
Calls
-
5.4
Value
8.0
9.5
Price (USD)
$46
$34
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Half a step newer
QCY H3S (2025) against AKG K52 (2018). The QCY H3S edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing and USB-C.
- K522018
- H3S20257 yr newer
What differsK52H3S
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
K52H3S
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $46
- $34
- HearWiki score
- 60
- 81
- Released
- 2018
- 2025
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 2× 40 mm dynamic
- 2-driver hybrid
- Driver type
- dynamic
- hybrid
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 2
- 2
- Frequency response
- 18 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 99.2 dB/mW
- -
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- 110
- -
- Bluetooth
- -
- 6.0
- Codecs
- -
- AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- -
- 102 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 58 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 7 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 200 g
- 240 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- Foldable
- No
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- No
- -
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- -
- Model code
- 3169H00010
- -
- Microphones
- -
- 7
What reviewers said
AKG K52
The AKG K52 is a budget-friendly, over-ear headphone designed for neutral, balanced listening with a lightweight and comfortable build. It delivers clear, airy sound through 40mm dynamic drivers, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing audio quality and simplicity over extra features. With a straightforward wired connection and no active noise cancellation, it focuses on core performance at an accessible price.
- Pro:Balanced, neutral sound signature
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Clear and airy presentation
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Wired only, no wireless options
- Con:Not foldable for easy portability
QCY H3S
The QCY H3S is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that packs adaptive active noise cancellation, a hybrid dual-driver setup, and support for LDAC and Bluetooth 6.0. Its foldable design and lightweight build add to its portability and convenience.
- Pro:Effective adaptive ANC for the price
- Pro:LDAC and AAC codec support for high-quality audio
- Pro:Multipoint connectivity and Bluetooth 6.0
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:No wireless charging support
- Con:Controls are button-based, not touch
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.