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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value higher overall sound quality and can manage without wireless functionality, the AKG K361 will offer you a superior listening experience, particularly because of its better sound isolation which is useful in noisy environments. However, it lacks a built-in microphone, unlike the Sony WH-CH520, which means it may not be ideal for calls. The Sonys, on the other hand, are wireless, provide a longer battery life, and include a microphone, making them more convenient for on-the-go use and communication, even though they might not isolate sound as well as the AKGs. 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
- The AKG K361 has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.3
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.2
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the AKG K361 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
4.6
The AKG K361 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$98
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The AKG K361 has a price of $98 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $50.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The AKG K361 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.5
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and AKG K361 are both good for music.
TV and Video
7.8
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for TV and video, while the AKG K361 is good.
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How the AKG K361 and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$98 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 147.41 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-CH520
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
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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.
By the numbers
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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.
Jason Lew
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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