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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K361 is a more budget-friendly choice and is great for music listening with its high sound quality, but doesn't feature a microphone which makes it less ideal for calls or meetings. It's wired, so you won't have concerns about battery life, but it's not suitable if you prefer wireless convenience. On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a higher-end model with superior noise cancellation, making it excellent for travel and noisy environments. It has wireless capabilities, a long battery life, and a microphone for clear calls, but these features contribute to it being significantly more expensive than the AKG K361. 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 WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.5
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the AKG K361 is good.
Gaming
6.3
5.6
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
6.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.8
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$98
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The AKG K361 has a price of $98 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and AKG K361 both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K361 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$98 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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 WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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Why trust us
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
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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.
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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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