Over-Ear
AKG N90Q
64Good
$26
Full review dataAKG N90Q vs JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 80. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless - Outstanding overall at around $35.
Over-Ear
JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless
80Outstanding
$35
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
AKG N90Q leads on 4 of 7 measures.
- AKG N90Q
- JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless
HearWiki score
64
80
Sound
8.3
7.0
Noise cancelling
6.5
-
Battery
2.8
8.1
Calls
5.0
4.2
Value
-
8.7
Price (USD)
$26
$35
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 JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless is 7 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless adds USB-C. For 7 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- N90Q2018
- JBuddies Pro Wireless20257 yr newer
What differsN90QJBuddies Pro Wireless
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Everyday features
Specifications
N90QJBuddies Pro Wireless
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $26
- $35
- HearWiki score
- 64
- 80
- Released
- 2018
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 52 mm dynamic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 52 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 25 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.0
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- No
- Wireless range
- -
- 9 m
- Battery life
- -
- 35 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 180 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 4 h
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Transparency mode
- No
- No
- Companion app
- No
- No
- Custom EQ
- No
- No
- Wear detection
- No
- No
- Controls
- buttons
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- No
- -
- Weight
- 460 g
- 165 g
- Water resistance
- -
- IPX4
- Foldable
- -
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- -
- Balanced connection
- No
- -
- Microphones
- 1
- 1
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
- Mic sensitivity
- -
- -42 dBV
What reviewers said
AKG N90Q
The AKG N90Q is a premium closed-back ANC headphone with a bold, heavy build and a customizable tuning system that sets it apart. It delivers clean, detailed audio with impressive isolation and a spacious soundstage, though its size and weight make it better suited for stationary listening than on-the-go use. Note that it requires power to operate, so battery life is a practical consideration.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Large, immersive soundstage for a closed-back design
- Pro:High-quality build and included accessories
- Con:Heavy and bulky, not ideal for portable use
- Con:Requires charging to function at all
- Con:Sound can feel analytical rather than engaging
JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless
The JLab JBuddies Pro Wireless are budget-friendly over-ear headphones aimed at younger listeners, offering a lightweight and foldable design for easy travel. They provide a long 35-hour battery life and IPX4 sweat resistance, making them suitable for daily use and light activity, though they lack active noise cancellation and multipoint connectivity.
- Pro:Long 35-hour battery life
- Pro:Lightweight and foldable design
- Pro:IPX4 sweat resistance
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No multipoint Bluetooth connection
- Con:Basic button controls only
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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