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AKG N9 Hybrid vs Soundcore Space Q45: 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
  • Soundcore Space Q45
HearWiki score
86
70
Sound
9.0
6.0
Noise cancelling
8.4
7.8
Battery
9.8
9.2
Calls
9.1
6.4
Value
9.0
6.5
Price (USD)
$290
$150

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?

Same generation

The AKG N9 Hybrid is 2 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

  • N9 Hybrid20242 yr newer
  • Space Q452022

Level on: Bluetooth, Top codec, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

N9 HybridSpace Q45
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$290
$150
HearWiki score
86
70
Released
2024
2022
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
20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
16 Ω
Sensitivity
98 dB/mW
100 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Battery life
100 h
65 h
Battery life (ANC on)
55 h
50 h
Full charge time
180 min
120 min
Quick charge
10 min → 6 h
5 min → 4 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
No
No
Controls
touch
buttons
Voice assistant
Google Assistant, Siri
Siri
Weight
281 g
292 g
Water resistance
none
none
Foldable
-
Yes
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Microphones
1
2
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

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

Soundcore Space Q45

The Soundcore Space Q45 is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with robust battery life, supporting high-resolution audio via LDAC. It offers a comfortable, foldable design with multipoint connectivity, making it a strong value pick for everyday listening, though its stability during movement and call quality in wind are less impressive. With up to 65 hours of playback (50 with ANC), it outlasts many pricier rivals while delivering solid, customizable sound.

  • Pro:Excellent battery life, exceeding advertised claims in tests
  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC for the price
  • Pro:Supports LDAC for high-quality wireless audio
  • Con:Not stable during vigorous activity, may shift or fall off
  • Con:Call quality suffers in windy conditions
  • Con:Controls are button-based, which some may find clunky

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 HybridSoundcore Space Q45