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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K361 offers a significantly better sound quality over the Soundcore Life Q20, which could provide a more immersive listening experience for music enthusiasts. However, the K361 lacks wireless capability, making them less convenient for on-the-go usage compared to the wireless Soundcore Life Q20, which also features active noise cancelling beneficial for noisy environments and air travel, and has a longer battery life for extended use. Additionally, the Life Q20 offers built-in controls and is optimized for AAC codec, often used in Apple devices. If budget is a constraint and you need wireless convenience with good noise cancellation, the Soundcore Life Q20 would be the practical choice; if sound quality is paramount and you're fine with wired headphones, the AKG K361 is worth the extra cost. 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 Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.5
7.0
The AKG K361 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both good for music, though the AKG K361 is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.3
5.2
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
4.9
The Soundcore Life Q20 and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q20 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8
5.3
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$98
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The AKG K361 has a price of $98 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $50.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
4.7
The AKG K361 and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The AKG K361 and Soundcore Life Q20 both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K361 and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$98 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
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 | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 258.5 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."
Soundcore Life Q20
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2022
"As far as headphones that cost under $100 go, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a really solid option. Like any good tool, it does the job well without much guff, and it’s affordable to boot. Sure: it’s not going toe to toe with any of the higher-end models of ANC headphones out there—but the headphones do well enough for commuters that it’s a good stand-in if you were never planning on spending a bunch of money anyway."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Soundcore Life Q20
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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
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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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