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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For a more neutral and balanced sound with better sound quality, the AKG K361 would suit you well, particularly if you prioritize audio fidelity for music listening and don't need wireless capabilities. However, it lacks a built-in microphone and active noise cancelling, making it less suitable for calls, meetings, and noisy environments. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30, though it offers slightly lower sound quality, comes with a built-in mic, active noise cancelling, and a much longer battery life, which makes it convenient for wireless use, travel, and situations where noise isolation and long listening sessions are important. It's also more versatile with app equalizer and controls customization, relevant if you enjoy tweaking sound settings. 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 Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.3
5.3
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$98
$80
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The AKG K361 has a price of $98 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Music
7.5
7.1
The AKG K361 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
4.8
The AKG K361 and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The AKG K361 and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K361 and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$98 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 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 | 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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 263 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 Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Soundcore Life Q30
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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