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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K361 headphones offer better overall sound quality and are ideal if you prioritize an immersive music experience and require a wired connection. However, they're not specifically designed for making calls or gaming. The Beats Solo 3 have the convenience of wireless connectivity with good battery life and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, making them versatile for daily casual use, including exercise and travel, but their overall sound quality and comfort are lower compared to the K361. Neither model has active noise cancelling, but the Solo 3 does provide some level of noise isolation. 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 music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Beats Solo 3
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.5
6.3
The AKG K361 is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
5.3
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
4.7
The Beats Solo 3 and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
5.8
The Beats Solo 3 and AKG K361 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The AKG K361 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
N/A
41.5 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$115
$150
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The AKG K361 has a price of $115 and the Beats Solo 3 costs $150.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The AKG K361 and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K361 and the Beats Solo 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Beats Solo 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$115 | $150 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | October 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 41.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 4.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 213.1 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."
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
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About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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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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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