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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K361 headphones are less expensive and offer great overall sound quality, suitable for music enthusiasts who prefer a wired connection and studio-style listening. They're comfortable, foldable for easier storage, and have a detachable cable. However, they lack a microphone, so they're not ideal for calls or gaming. In contrast, the Sony WF1000XM5 earbuds are pricier but provide wireless convenience, active noise cancelling, and a good battery life. These features make them versatile for travel, exercise, and a variety of activities. They also come with built-in controls, an app to customize your experience, and are sweatproof, yet they may not match the AKG in terms of pure sound quality for music. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.5
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for music, while the AKG K361 is good.
Gaming
6.3
5.1
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
5.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WF1000XM5 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$98
$298
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The AKG K361 has a price of $98 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
4.9
The AKG K361 and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The AKG K361 and Sony WF1000XM5 both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K361 and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$98 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 6 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."
Sony WF1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Sony WF1000XM5
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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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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