Over-Ear
AKG N9 Hybrid
86Outstanding
$290
Full review dataAKG N9 Hybrid vs Sony Mdr-Cd900st: 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.
Over-Ear
Sony Mdr-Cd900st
65Good
$160
Full review dataScore 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
- Sony Mdr-Cd900st
HearWiki score
86
65
Sound
9.0
7.1
Noise cancelling
8.4
-
Battery
9.8
-
Calls
9.1
-
Value
9.0
7.4
Price (USD)
$290
$160
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
AKG N9 Hybrid (2024) against Sony Mdr-Cd900st (1987). The AKG N9 Hybrid edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.
- N9 Hybrid202437 yr newer
- Mdr-Cd900st1987
What differsN9 HybridMdr-Cd900st
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
N9 HybridMdr-Cd900st
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $290
- $160
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 65
- Released
- 2024
- 1987
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 40 kHz
- 5 Hz - 30 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 63 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 98 dB/mW
- 106 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- -
- Battery life
- 100 h
- -
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 55 h
- -
- Full charge time
- 180 min
- -
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 6 h
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- touch
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- Google Assistant, Siri
- -
- Weight
- 281 g
- 200 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Detachable cable
- -
- No
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Microphones
- 1
- -
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
Sony Mdr-Cd900st
This wired over-ear headphone is a long-standing studio monitor known for its neutral, mid-focused sound and strong detail retrieval. It prioritizes analytical clarity over bass impact or treble sparkle, making it a practical tool for critical listening rather than casual enjoyment. Comfort is adequate for shorter sessions, and its design is straightforward without modern conveniences like noise cancellation or a detachable cable.
- Pro:Neutral, uncolored sound profile
- Pro:Excellent clarity and separation
- Pro:Lightweight at 200 grams
- Con:Limited bass and treble extension
- Con:Average comfort for long wear
- Con:Non-detachable cable
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.