AKG N60 NC Review | 93 Data compared

The AKG N60NC Wireless headphones are compact, on-ear noise-cancelling cans that offer excellent audio quality and superb convenience for travelers and commuters. Featuring aptX Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, they serve as a reliable wireless option for modern smartphones lacking a headphone jack, while still including a 3.5mm backup cable. They boast an impressive battery life, delivering up to 15 hours of playback with both Bluetooth and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) active, which extends up to 30 hours if ANC is turned off. Built with a more secure metal headband connection and extra padding compared to their wired predecessor, these headphones provide intuitive physical switch controls rather than confusing buttons, making them highly practical for daily use. A major highlight of these headphones is their stellar sonic performance and effective noise isolation. The review notes significant pros, including outstanding active noise cancellation that efficiently cuts out busy street or office chatter, a highly comfortable and secure build, and a beautifully balanced soundstage. The audio delivery features a solid, punchy bass, a remarkably clear midrange, and crisp, sparkling treble that easily keeps track...

The AKG N60NC on-ear wired noise-cancelling headphones offer a premium, ultra-portable design weighing only 150 grams (5.3 oz). Built with high-quality metals, plastics, and tangle-resistant braided nylon cables, these sleek black headphones feature plush memory foam ear pads that provide exceptional comfort, overcoming the typical pressure issues associated with on-ear models. Performance-wise, they deliver a highly satisfying and natural sound profile with a well-placed bass response, crisp vocals due to a boost in the high-mids, and finely tuned highs. Additionally, despite their on-ear form factor, the active noise cancellation performs impressively well, backed by an extensive 30-hour battery life that charges directly through the 3.5mm audio jack. Pros & Cons

Despite these strengths, the review highlights several specific downsides, most notably the proprietary USB-to-2.5mm charging cable, which is nearly impossible to replace while traveling if lost. Battery life has also dropped to 30 hours from the 40 hours provided by its predecessor. While the audio quality is excellent, the bass response is somewhat light, and active noise canceling introduces an intermittent acoustic flaw where the lower bass sounds slightly delayed or creates a distracting "whoom" artifact on certain tracks. Additionally, while its noise isolation is highly practical, it does not quite reach the top-tier cancellation performance achieved by Bose.

The AKG N60 NC is a compact, comfortable, and well-designed on-ear active noise-canceling headphone priced at $250, offering a strong alternative to the popular Bose QuietComfort 25. It stands out primarily for its superior sound quality, delivering a cleaner, more detailed audio performance with natural, tightly controlled bass and excellent openness that mimics a passive headphone. It is lighter and smaller than its competitors, weighing just 6.3 ounces, and it folds flat into an included neoprene carrying pouch for easy travel. Additionally, its integrated rechargeable battery provides an impressive 30 hours of continuous active noise cancellation, and the headphones can still be used in passive mode if the battery runs out. Despite its strong performance, the headphone comes with a few hardware drawbacks. Instead of a standard micro-USB charging cable, it relies on a less common 2.5mm sub-mini plug to USB cable, which requires charging directly through the headphone jack. The single-button universal remote fabric cord lacks dedicated volume controls, and its active noise-canceling feature emits a very faint hiss that is slightly less effective than Bose's industry-leading isolation. Furthermore,...

The What Hi-Fi? review awards the wired AKG N60 NC a coveted five-star rating, naming them the "Best noise-cancelling headphones under £250" at the 2015 Awards. The publication praises these compact, minimalist on-ear headphones for providing a highly competitive alternative to the dominant Bose QuietComfort 25. Weighing a mere 150g, they stand out for their exceptional portability and premium build, which incorporates a leather-wrapped headband and sleek aluminum trimmings around perforated black earcups. The reviewers highlight an impressive 30 hours of battery life in active noise-cancelling (ANC) mode, noting that the package handily bundles a universal one-button remote cable, a flight adapter, a USB charging cable, and a convenient carrying pouch. When evaluating performance, the review emphasizes several notable pros, including a clear, punchy, and highly musical sound signature that beautifully captures acoustic dynamics and textures. The active noise-cancellation is highly effective at drowning out office hums and train noises, creating a natural sense of seclusion that closely challenges Bose's class-leading isolation. On the flip side, the list of cons is virtually nonexistent, with the testers explicitly listing "Nothing" under...

The AKG N60NC Wireless headphones are an excellent, highly compact alternative to larger full-size models like the Bose QC35 and Sony MDR-1000X. Weighing just 7 ounces, these on-ear headphones feature a comfortable, well-padded headband design that minimizes tight clamping while folding flat into a travel-friendly neoprene case. They deliver clean, well-balanced sound with tight bass and effective active noise cancellation that produces only a very faint hiss. The battery life is respectable, offering up to 15 hours of playback with both Bluetooth and noise-canceling activated, which extends up to 30 hours when utilized in wired mode. Despite their strong performance, the headphones do have a few notable drawbacks. At a premium price of $300, their headset functionality for phone calls is disappointing, often making the user's voice sound muffled to callers. Additionally, they lack a helpful sidetone feature to let you hear your own voice while speaking. Users may also experience some design frustrations, such as a finicky track-skipping rocker switch that is placed too close to the power switch, leading to accidental shutoffs. Finally, while wireless playback over Bluetooth...

Mark Sparrow’s Forbes review highlights the AKG N60NC wired on-ear headphones as a portable, travel-friendly option, praising their three-way folding mechanism, 30-hour ANC battery life, and superior "AKG Signature" audio quality. Key design benefits include lightweight, comfortable memory foam ear pads and the ability to continue operating in passive mode if the battery dies. However, the review notes as a primary drawback that these headphones are wired-only, lacking Bluetooth connectivity, which limits modern wireless flexibility, despite offering a very reliable connection. Additionally, as a compact on-ear design, they may offer less isolation in extremely noisy environments compared to larger headphones, and rely on a specialized cable for charging.

The AKG N60 NC on-ear headphones are highlighted as a powerful, audio-focused alternative to dominant noise-canceling brands, offering a comfortable, lightweight, and highly portable design. Pros include exceptional, balanced audio performance with rich bass, consistent sound quality regardless of active noise cancellation (ANC) status, and the ability to operate in passive, wired mode. PCMag UK Conversely, the review notes that the ANC creates a slight high-frequency hiss, and the sound profile lacks a heavily boosted, subwoofer-like bass. While effective on lower-frequency ambient noises, the noise cancellation is less effective at isolating against office chatter compared to market leaders.

The AKG N60 NC headphones earn a 4.0 "Excellent" rating from PCMag for delivering exceptionally balanced audio performance and solid active noise cancellation within a highly travel-friendly, on-ear design. A standout feature of these headphones is their versatility, allowing users to switch between a 30-hour battery-powered noise-canceling mode and a passive, wired configuration that utilizes an included detachable cable equipped with an inline remote and microphone. Sonically, the headphones maintain an impressively consistent sound signature across both modes, rendering tracks with a rich low-end, clear high-mid edge, and a crisp, well-defined acoustic profile that avoids the muddy or overly bass-heavy exaggeration found in many competing models. The primary pros highlighted in the review include their powerful, balanced audio reproduction, effective ambient noise reduction, a comfortable folding structure for easy stowing, and the ability to seamlessly transition into a passive wired headset. On the other hand, the notable cons consist of an audible high-frequency hiss generated by the noise cancellation circuitry and a sound signature that lacks the booming, subwoofer-like bass preferred by some listeners. While industry benchmarks like Bose provide...

The AKG N60 is a dynamic, closed-back, on-ear headphone priced at $250 that excels as a highly portable travel companion. Its standout features include top-tier active noise cancellation that efficiently blocks out aircraft engines, train track clatter, and ambient human chatter. It is exceptionally lightweight at 150 grams and folds down into a soft pouch roughly the size of a sunglasses case, making it highly space-efficient for carry-on baggage. Additional operational highlights include a generous 30-hour battery life from a three-hour USB charge, passive playback functionality when the battery dies, and a simple, user-friendly single-slider interface. However, the headphone compromises on absolute audio fidelity compared to dedicated studio models. In terms of sonic limitations, it lacks the bass clarity and bottom-end definition found in rivals like the Sony MDR-7506 or Sennheiser HD-25. The reviewer notes that while the sound quality is good, it is nothing out of the ordinary for the price, and purely audio-focused alternatives can deliver superior performance for less money. Despite these bass-response shortcomings, its combination of dual-role capabilities, compact form factor, and powerful noise isolation makes...

The AKG N60NC is a highly portable, on-ear active noise-canceling headphone designed specifically for commuting, travel, and office use. The reviewer praises the headphones for their "audibly invisible" noise cancellation, which effectively blocks external sounds without altering or degrading the original audio quality. Sonically, the headphones deliver a rich, full, and accurate sound profile with a slight, distortion-free emphasis on the bass that helps further mask background noise. Additional positive features include an exceptionally lightweight build for long-term comfort, a premium aluminum frame with memory foam ear cups, and an impressive 30-hour battery life that can also transition into an infinite passive mode if the battery drains. Despite the high praise, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks regarding the product's physical design. The clamping force of the headphones is noted as being a bit too snug, which causes physical discomfort during extended use for individuals who wear glasses. Storage is another pain point; the "3D axis" ear cup swivel mechanism is described as confusing to manipulate, and the included soft custom pouch offers a tight, frustrating fit rather than the...

The AKG N60 NC on-ear headphones, reviewed by SoundGuys, are praised for their exceptional portability, featuring a foldable design, premium materials, and comfortable memory foam ear cups suitable for long commutes. The active noise cancellation is noted as highly effective for the form factor, providing good isolation from ambient noise. Conversely, the review identifies drawbacks, including ear cups made of plastic that attracts fingerprints and concerns regarding long-term durability. Sound-wise, the headphones offer clear vocals, but the audio suffers from a rolled-off ultra-high end, resulting in a lack of punch in the highest frequencies.

The AKG N60NC Wireless are, according to RTINGS, portable on-ear headphones featuring a lightweight, foldable design suitable for travel, offering competent active noise cancellation and an above-average, bass-heavy sound profile. Key pros include a secure fit for daily commuting, a comfortable design, and a detachable cable for a high-quality wired microphone option. However, drawbacks noted by RTINGS include a lack of companion app support for sound customization and an unusual control layout. The sound profile can be excessively boomy, with harsh treble and high wireless latency, making them suboptimal for gaming or video without the wired connection.

The Stereophile review of the AKG N60NC Wireless headphones finds them to be a competent, versatile option offering decent overall tonality, though they are limited by loose bass, a hard midrange, and rolled-off highs in active modes. While not for audiophiles seeking reference sound, the N60NCs stand out for significantly improved audio quality in passive wired mode and offer a very comfortable, portable, on-ear design. Stereophile.com Ergonomically sound for office or casual use, the headphones provide a satisfying fit, but they lack top-tier noise cancellation for frequent, serious travelers who may prefer the Bose QC35. Overall, the review characterizes the AKG N60NC as a capable, well-rounded, and portable pair of headphones for general, everyday use. Stereophile.com

The AKG N60 NC Wireless on-ear noise-cancelling headphones offer a sleek, ultra-portable design built with premium plastic, metal accents, and comfortable faux leather earpads. Priced at $300, they feature well-rounded bass, a well-tuned midrange, and crisp highs that keep instruments and vocals highly distinct. Their active noise cancellation (ANC) performs impressively well for an on-ear model, significantly cutting down ambient environmental sounds like traffic and airplane hums. Additionally, the battery life is highly competitive, delivering 15 hours of playback with both Bluetooth and ANC active, and stretching up to 30 hours when utilized in wired passive mode. Despite earning a Silver Medal award, the headphones carry a few notable limitations. A faint, annoying buzzing or tracking noise is present in the right earcup right before and after audio playback over Bluetooth, which can disrupt quiet media like podcasts. Furthermore, users cannot manually switch off the ANC feature while connected wirelessly, meaning it only turns off when using the included 3.5mm braided nylon audio cable. Mega-bass enthusiasts might also find the low-end frequency punch slightly lacking compared to rival brands, and...

The AKG N60NC Wireless headphones offer a premium, aluminum-accented design that delivers a highly balanced and refined audio profile, avoiding the overemphasized bass typical of other mid-range options. Their compact, folding structure is highly portable, and the active noise-cancellation performs impressively by effectively drowning out deep, low-frequency engine rumbles during flights. Additionally, the headphones boast excellent battery life that easily lasts through multiple days of moderate use, and they switch seamlessly between wired and wireless modes. However, the primary drawback stems from their on-ear form factor; because the cushions press directly against the ears, they cause physical discomfort during long listening sessions. This on-ear build also compromises their passive isolation, making them less effective at blocking out high-pitched environmental frequencies like human speech. Users will also face initial frustration with the layout of the physical controls, as the playback lever requires firm pressure to skip forward and feels identical to the adjacent power switch, resulting in accidental power-offs. Finally, the use of outdated micro-USB and 2.5mm ports limits modern charging and cable compatibility.