Over-Ear
AKG K553 MKII
72Good
$199
Full review dataAKG K553 MKII vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
AKG K553 MKII
Sound7.5
Value7.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | AKG K553 MKII | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $199 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2018 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 50mm | dynamic |
| Driver size | 50 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 12Hz-28kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 114 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | none | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | none | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | none | touch |
| Voice assistant | none | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 305 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | none | - |
What reviewers said
AKG K553 MKII
The AKG K553 MKII is a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone designed with a studio-focused, neutral sound signature. It offers detailed audio reproduction across the frequency range, solid build quality, and comfortable fit for extended listening sessions, making it a solid choice for monitoring and critical listening at its price point. While it lacks modern features like wireless connectivity or active noise cancellation, its performance in clarity and balance is well-regarded.
- Pro:Neutral and detailed sound signature
- Pro:Comfortable for larger head sizes
- Pro:Solid, robust construction
- Con:Non-detachable and short cable
- Con:No wireless or ANC features
- Con:Soundstage slightly behind rivals
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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