The AKG N60NC Wireless are closed-back on-ear headphones that are versatile for everyday use. They have a sound profile better suited for bass-heavy genres, and their ANC feature blocks an impressive amount of background noise, great for commuting. They're fairly comfortable, but since they rest on your ears, some may prefer over-ear designs. Also, they won’t be ideal for sports as they wobble when you move too much. On the upside, they have a decent battery life that will last you a full workday.
Our Verdict
The AKG N60NC are alright for mixed usage. They're fairly comfortable, well-made, and have above-average sound quality to let you enjoy your favorite tracks accurately. Their ANC feature isolates a decent amount of noise, which can be good for commuting or office. Although they are comfortable and lightweight, they aren’t stable enough for physical activity. Their latency might be a bit high for watching video content and gaming, but they come with an audio cable to get rid of it that has a better performing in-line mic.
- Above-average audio reproduction.
- Great isolation performance.
- A bit harsh on already bright tracks.
- Unusual control scheme layout.
The AKG N60NC are fair for neutral sound. They have an extended and powerful bass, a very good and fairly even mid-range, and a very good treble. However, their bass is a bit boomy, and the overemphasis continues in the mid-range, making vocals and leads sound thick and cluttered. Also, their treble is uneven, and S and T sounds might be a bit sharp for some people. Overall, these headphones will be suitable for bass-heavy genres and won’t be ideal for vocal-centric music. Unfortunately, they don’t have any customization options.
The AKG N60NC are decent for commuting and traveling. These ANC headphones isolate a good amount of low-frequency sounds like engine rumble and will be a good option for bus rides and flights, especially if you play music. The AKG N60NC will be more portable than over-ears but are still slightly bulky and harder to keep on you at all times, unlike in-ears and earbuds.
The AKG N60NC are decent for sports. While you can enjoy your tracks with decent audio reproduction, these headphones aren’t the most stable on the head. They will move around if you run with them, and they might fall off your head easily. Thankfully, their wireless design gets rid of the cable, and since they are on-ear, they’ll be more breathable than over-ears. They could be used at the gym for weightlifting but will more than likely fall off if you jog on the treadmill.
The AKG N60NC are decent for the office. Their battery life will last you more than a full workday, but some may not find them comfortable enough to wear for hours. On the upside, their ANC feature isolates a good amount of ambient chatter, so you can focus on your tasks. They also support multi-device pairing, convenient if you want to switch between your phone and office computer.
The AKG N60NC are sub-par for gaming. Their latency is too high to be suitable for gaming. Their integrated microphone won’t be ideal, but they come with an audio cable that gets rid of the latency issues, and you also get a better-performing in-line microphone. However, they aren’t customizable like other gaming headsets.
Changelog
- Updated Mar 26, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 14, 2019: Review published.
Check Price
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The AKG N60NC are on-ear headphones with a great ANC feature that blocks ambient noise. They have a well-balanced sound profile, but there are similar on-ears that are better for neutral sound.
If you’re looking for the best picks, see our recommendations for the best on-ear headphones and the best wireless headphones.
If sound quality and comfort are the most important criteria for you, the Marshall MID ANC Wireless are better headphones than the AKG N60NC. The Marshall have great audio reproduction, and their control scheme offers great feedback and is easy to use. The Marshall are slightly better built and feel like more premium headphones than the AKGs. On the other hand, the AKGs have better noise cancelling performance and can also connect to two devices simultaneously.
The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 Wireless 2016 are better headphones than the AKG N60NC. The Bose are over-ear and are one of the most comfortable headphones we've tested. They have a more neutral-sounding audio reproduction and are well-built. The Bose isolation performance is better suited for loud environments, and you'll get a few more hours of continuous playback. On the other hand, the AKGs have better wireless range and trap less heat inside your ears after long periods of time. You'll also be able to use the AKG's microphone when wired to PCs and consoles, which the Bose can't do.
The Beats Solo3 2018 are better-sounding and better-built headphones than the AKG N60NC. However, the AKG isolate more ambient noise due to their ANC feature, which makes them a bit more versatile, especially for commuting and for the office. They can also connect to two devices simultaneously, which is convenient. On the other hand, the Beats have an amazing 42-hour battery life, which is about three times longer than the AKG's.
The Bose SoundLink On-Ear Wireless would be better headphones than the AKG N60NC if you care about comfort and sound quality the most. The Bose have a more neutral sounding audio reproduction, the earcups feel more lightweight, and the padding is softer. The Bose also have a great 21-hour battery life and can connect to two devices, similar to the AKGs. The AKG have the edge in the isolation performance and will block more ambient noise, making them a better choice if you're looking for headphones to use while commuting every day.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
