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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If sound quality for music and watching TV is important to you, the AKG K361 offers very good overall sound and is good for comfort with over-ear design, but it's wired and less portable. The JBL Tune Buds are much more portable, sweatproof, and have wireless features, making them suitable for exercise and travel with good noise isolation, although they may not match the AKG's sound quality for music and TV. The JBLs are also less expensive, offering fair sound quality for their price point, and come with app customization features which the AKGs lack. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K361
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.5
6.2
The AKG K361 is good for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
5.4
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
4.9
The JBL Tune Buds and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Tune Buds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
5.8
The JBL Tune Buds and AKG K361 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Tune Buds is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8
6.1
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.7
The JBL Tune Buds and AKG K361 are both only fair for noise reduction, though the JBL Tune Buds is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
10.4 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$98
$70
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The AKG K361 has a price of $98 and the JBL Tune Buds costs $70.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The AKG K361 and JBL Tune Buds both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K361 and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$98 | $70 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 10.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
AKG K361
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Dig into reviews and images
Medium
Alex Rowe | November 2019
"The K361 retains much of what makes the K371 such a winner, though it has a leaner sound, and the build changes made to trim the price down are immediately apparent. Still, it’s another excellent offering from AKG, and other companies in this fight should either be very worried or quickly designing updates to their old models."
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the JBL Tune Buds
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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