AKG N700ncm2 Review | 93 Data compared

The AKG N700NC M2 wireless active noise-canceling headphones offer a well-tuned, forward-leaning sound signature with clean, punchy bass separation that avoids muddying the midrange, making them a sonically superior daily driver over muddier competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM3. Their soundstage is impressively wide for small closed-back headphones, and the treble remains smooth and inoffensive for extended listening. Retailing as an affordable option often found under $160, the headphones come with a premium matte black unboxing experience, a flat semi-hard travel case, a 3.5mm cable with an in-line microphone for passive wired use, and an airplane adapter. However, the headphones suffer from notable physical and technical compromises to achieve their lower price point. On the downside, the build quality is heavily plasticky, and the small earcups combined with a firm headband can cause uncomfortable hot spots and ear cramping after two hours of use. The physical controls feature small, smooth, slippery buttons that are difficult to find by touch, and the USB-C port is picky, refusing to charge with certain high-wattage bricks like laptop chargers. Furthermore, the active noise cancellation falls...

In his review for The Australian Financial Review, columnist John Davidson highlights the AKG N700NC Mark 2 wireless headphones as a highly successful entry into the competitive travel audio market. The prominent standout features (pros) of these headphones are their exceptional sound quality, packed-in smart features, and amazing battery life, which Davidson notes will comfortably "take you far". He adds that the overall music reproduction and functionality hit a literal "bullseye" for a premium travel experience. AFR However, the reviewer notes a few specific drawbacks (cons) that keep them just shy of perfection. The small ear cup size means they will not comfortably fit all ears, a physical limitation that directly compromises the seal and makes their active noise cancellation slightly inferior to gold-standard competitors like Sony. Additionally, Davidson points out a minor design annoyance: the headphones do not pack completely flat inside their carrying case, forcing users to awkwardly wedge them in askew. AFR

The AKG N700NCM2 wireless over-ear headphones deliver a slim, elegant design crafted from robust aluminum and hard plastic, presenting a strong alternative to premium models like the Sony WH-1000XM3 and Bose 700. Reviewers praised its effective, non-intrusive active noise reduction that avoids a claustrophobic "cheese bell" effect, alongside a clean, user-friendly companion app featuring an EQ and Ambient Aware/TalkThru modes. Sonically, it stands out with a controlled, precise, and drier sound signature; the bass is deep yet discreet, leaving ample space for a highly present midrange and clear treble that makes vocal-centric music feel incredibly intimate. The package also adds great utility by including an airplane adapter and a 3.5mm backup audio cable. However, the headphones come with distinct drawbacks, notably the lack of support for the high-resolution aptX audio codec, which complicates high-fidelity streaming for non-Samsung Android users. Instead, it relies on Samsung's proprietary Scalable Codec alongside basic AAC and SBC options. Comfort may also be an issue during long-term use, as the headband clamps tightly against the head. Furthermore, while the simplified app is easy to navigate, it...

The AKG N700NC M2 over-ear wireless headphones offer a sleek, minimalist design with physical, tactile controls and exceptional sound quality. In testing, they delivered rich, full-bodied, and balanced audio across varied genres like Motown, classical jazz, and vocals, alongside superb call and microphone quality. Notable strengths include an impressive battery life—claiming 23 hours via Bluetooth with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) activated and up to 32 hours over a wired connection—fast USB-C charging, and a well-integrated virtual assistant toggle. However, the headphones fall short of greatness due to significant drawbacks in comfort, durability, and value. They require a strong clamping force to avoid severe sound leakage, making them uncomfortable during long listening sessions, and they showed noticeable signs of cosmetic wear after just a few days. Furthermore, while the active noise cancellation performs respectably, it does not match the class-leading isolation of competitors. At a launch price of $299.99 (£269), they are difficult to recommend over superior and currently less expensive alternatives like the Sony WH-1000XM3 and Bose QuietComfort 35 II.

The PCMag review of the AKG N700NC M2 Wireless highlights the headphones as an exceptional choice for audiophiles, praising their superb audio performance, rich sound signature, and highly customizable companion app. Additional pros include a comfortable fit, functional Ambient Aware/Talk Thru modes, and clear microphone intelligibility, though minor Bluetooth distortion can occur. However, the review notes notable drawbacks, including a high price tag and the limitation that active noise cancellation (ANC) cannot be disabled while in Bluetooth mode. Furthermore, audio performance suffers in passive wired mode, which lacks bass depth, and while they are a strong alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM3, they do not quite beat the Bose 700 in noise cancellation.

The Expert Reviews analysis of the AKG N700NC M2 headphones highlights them as an affordable, high-quality option in the premium wireless market, retailing at a competitive £269. Designed to challenge industry giants from Bose and Sony, these over-ear headphones boast an exceptionally robust build quality, simple physical button controls, and a highly comfortable fit backed by compact memory foam earpads. The absolute standout pro is the exceptional sound quality across the audio spectrum; they deliver superb mid-range neutrality, detailed highs, and a highly controlled, clear bass response that easily handles complex genres from classical music to heavy metal. Additionally, they offer impressive battery performance, yielding up to 23 hours of playback with Bluetooth and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) activated, and up to 32 hours when using a wired connection. However, the reviewer points out several notable cons that keep the headphones from completely dethroning its top-tier rivals. The most significant disappointment is the active noise cancellation capability, which is only reasonably effective and falls well short of the isolation standards set by the Bose QC35 II or Sony WH-1000XM3 on...

The AKG N700NC M2 Wireless headphones are well-built, comfortable, and offer a neutral sound with extra bass, making them a strong choice for travel and commuting. They feature effective ANC for low-frequency noises (engines), a solid 20+ hour battery life, and app-based parametric EQ customization. RTINGS.com Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, including high wireless latency that impacts gaming and video, and a tight, closed-off soundstage. The ANC is less effective against mid and high-frequency noise compared to rivals, and the headphones have a bulky footprint.

The AKG N700NC M2 over-ear wireless headphones are a highly capable second-generation pair that earns a strong recommendation for their exceptional comfort, useful features, and premium build quality. Designed with a dark finish and dual-foam cushioning on the headband and earcups, they comfortably embrace the head without a tight grip, making them ideal for long listening sessions up to their 23-hour battery life. Standout technical pros include multi-point connectivity for seamless switching between two devices, app integration for EQ customization, and a rich, highly detailed sonic performance. Their audio delivery provides deep bass reach, precise instrumentation, and clean, unflappable tonal balance. Despite these strengths, the headphones face distinct disadvantages, particularly in timing and noise cancellation where they struggle against fierce, lower-priced rivals like the Sony WH-1000XM3. The adaptive active noise-cancelling (ANC) system is only average, failing to completely eliminate general office chatter or public transport hums. It features handy TalkThru and ambient modes, but falls short of delivering total silence. Furthermore, while they match class leaders in absolute clarity, they lack the seamless musical cohesion and sure-footed rhythm of top-tier...

However, the headphones also come with several noticeable cons. In terms of physical comfort, the smaller ear cup and pad dimensions only provide an average experience compared to competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bose QC35. Sonically, the recessed mid-range can occasionally sound thin, and the significantly elevated upper-mids (3-5KHz) and lower treble can become shouty, harsh, and fatiguing during bright recordings like Michael Jackson's "Thriller". A major functional limitation is that Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) cannot be turned off while using Bluetooth mode. Finally, the headset lacks high-fidelity audio codec support like AptX, AptX HD, or LDAC, restricting wireless playback strictly to SBC, AAC, and the proprietary Samsung Variable codec. If you'd like, let me know

The AKG N700NC M2 is a noise-canceling headphone reviewed in wired mode with active power, priced at $190 USD. On the positive side, the headphones deliver a strong, prominent bass response out of the box and demonstrate a cleaner group delay alongside better-than-average sensitivity. However, the objective testing highlighted significant drawbacks, including a highly erratic and variable frequency response caused by the small ear cups, which made it exceptionally difficult to get consistent measurements or an accurate channel match. Furthermore, a noticeable peak between 1 kHz and 2 kHz introduces distortion at higher volumes, and a severe channel mismatch becomes apparent past 2 kHz.

The AKG N700NC M2 Wireless headphones provide a fantastic, well-balanced sound signature that serves as their primary selling point for audiophiles seeking active noise cancellation (ANC). Priced at $299, they feature comfortable memory foam earcups, customizable EQ settings via a dedicated app, and useful Ambient Aware and Talk Thru modes for hearing surroundings. Musically, they deliver deep, warm sub-bass synth hits that never overpower the mix, crisp and clear vocals with no added sibilance, and a rich, realistic low-frequency response on acoustic tracks. They also offer flexible utility, operating in both wired and passive modes, with an estimated battery life of roughly 23 hours when utilizing both ANC and Bluetooth. However, the reviewer highlights several notable drawbacks, including an expensive price tag and the inability to completely disable the active noise cancellation while using Bluetooth. Additionally, combining the volume controls and track navigation onto the exact same plus/minus buttons makes it far too easy for users to accidentally skip tracks. The wireless connectivity relies on older Bluetooth 4.1 technology and lacks AptX support, though it does accommodate AAC, SBC, and...

The GeekTech review highlights the AKG N700NC M2 as a premium, compact headset delivering powerful sound with crisp voice calls and effective "Talkthru/Ambient Aware" features. Notable pros include a robust bass, USB-C charging, and a highly portable design, leading to a positive 8.5/10 rating. Cons noted include the lack of an auto-pause feature and a buggy Android companion app that failed to connect during testing. Furthermore, the reviewer found the compact carry case awkward to use, despite its portability. geektech.ie