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AKG N9 Hybrid vs Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the AKG N9 Hybrid comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: AKG N9 Hybrid - Outstanding overall at around $289.

Score breakdown

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

AKG N9 Hybrid leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • AKG N9 Hybrid
  • Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT
HearWiki score
86
58
Sound
9.0
7.4
Noise cancelling
8.4
3.2
Battery
9.8
5.2
Calls
9.1
4.2
Value
9.0
-
Price (USD)
$290
$120

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?

New platform

AKG N9 Hybrid (2024) against Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT (2020). The AKG N9 Hybrid is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LDAC against aptX and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C and Custom EQ.

  • N9 Hybrid20244 yr newer
  • ATH-SR50BT2020
What differsN9 HybridATH-SR50BT

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Top codec
LDAC
aptX
ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
USB-C
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No

Level on: Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

N9 HybridATH-SR50BT
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$290
$120
HearWiki score
86
58
Released
2024
2020
Availability
Still sold new
Still sold new
Driver
40 mm dynamic
2× 45 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
45 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
10 Hz - 40 kHz
5 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
47 Ω
Sensitivity
98 dB/mW
100 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
SBC, AAC, aptX
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Battery life
100 h
28 h
Battery life (ANC on)
55 h
-
Full charge time
180 min
330 min
Quick charge
10 min → 6 h
-
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
-
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
No
No
Controls
touch
buttons
Voice assistant
Google Assistant, Siri
-
Weight
281 g
262 g
Water resistance
none
none
Foldable
-
Yes
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
Yes
No
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Microphones
1
1
Microphone type
-
condenser
Mic sensitivity
-
-44 dBV

What reviewers said

AKG N9 Hybrid

The AKG N9 Hybrid is a versatile over-ear headphone that balances detailed, well-controlled sound with strong adaptive noise cancellation and an exceptionally long battery life. It offers modern connectivity including Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint, and LDAC support, plus a comfortable build suited for music, gaming, and movies. Its feature set makes it a practical choice for users who value both performance and endurance.

  • Pro:Very long battery life, even with ANC enabled
  • Pro:Adaptive noise cancelling with customizable options
  • Pro:Support for high-quality LDAC codec
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Only one microphone for calls

Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT

The Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT is a wireless over-ear headphone that combines long battery life with a balanced, flexible sound profile. It offers active noise cancellation, though its effect is modest, and includes a transparency mode for ambient awareness. With a comfortable fit and foldable design, it's a practical everyday choice, though it relies on older micro-USB charging and lacks multipoint connectivity.

  • Pro:Long battery life of up to 28 hours
  • Pro:Comfortable fit for larger ears
  • Pro:Foldable design for portability
  • Con:Noise cancellation is moderate, not fully effective
  • Con:Uses micro-USB instead of USB-C
  • Con:No multipoint Bluetooth pairing

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

Compare something else

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New comparisonAKG N9 HybridAudio-Technica ATH-SR50BT