AKG N700NC M2  Headphones Review

Reviewed Nov 25, 2021 at 10:35am
Retest Apr 04, 2024 at 09:12am
Tested using Methodology v1.7 
AKG N700NC M2

Track

0.0
Neutral Sound 
0.0
Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Calls 

Track

 0

The AKG N700NC M2 Wireless are the next generation of the AKG N700NC Wireless. They have an adaptive active noise cancelling (ANC) system that automatically adjusts its level to better match your environment. They also have a longer continuous battery life of over 20 hours, support multi-device pairing, and come with an analog cable with an in-line mic. Their slightly bass-heavy sound profile can be adjusted to your liking using their companion app's parametric EQ too. On the downside, some users have reported that their unit's hinges broke with continuous use.

Our Verdict

0.0
Neutral Sound 

The AKG N700NC M2 are great for neutral sound. They have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that delivers a touch of extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes. That said, if you're looking for a more neutral sound profile, you can adjust their sound to your liking using their companion app's parametric EQ and save your favorite presets. Unfortunately, their passive soundstage seems closed-off and unnatural.

Pros
  • Comfortable and well-built.
  • Parametric EQ available.
Cons
  • Disappointing passive soundstage.
0.0
Commute/Travel 

The AKG N700NC M2 are very good for commute and travel. These over-ears have a comfortable, well-built design and have an ANC system that can adapt to your environment to block out background noise more efficiently. Thanks to this system, they can block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines. Their over 20-hour battery life will also last through long commutes or trips without too much of a problem.

Pros
  • Adaptive ANC has excellent noise isolation performance.
  • Comfortable and well-built.
  • Over 20 hours of continuous playback time.
Cons
  • Bulky design.
0.0
Sports/Fitness 

The AKG N700NC M2 are decent for sports and fitness, although they're not designed for this use. They have a comfortable as well as stable fit for light runs in the park, and their wireless design keeps the risk of something snagging your headphones off your head low. However, they can fall off your head with more intense head movements. They also lack an IP rating for water resistance.

Pros
  • Comfortable and well-built.
  • Over 20 hours of continuous playback time.
Cons
  • Bulky design.
0.0
Office 

The AKG N700NC M2 are good for office use. They have a comfortable fit, long-lasting continuous battery life, and can be paired with up to two devices at a time, which is nice if you want to stay connected to your PC and smartphone at the same time. They also have active noise cancelling and can cut down a great amount of noise, like ambient chatter, so that you can focus on your work.

Pros
  • Adaptive ANC has excellent noise isolation performance.
  • Comfortable and well-built.
  • Over 20 hours of continuous playback time.
Cons
  • Bulky design.
0.0
Wireless Gaming 

The AKG N700NCM2 aren't suitable for wireless gaming. You can use them with Bluetooth-compatible PCs, but their latency is a bit high and causes a slight lip-sync mismatch. They also aren't compatible with Xbox or PlayStation consoles.

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Wired Gaming 

The AKG N700NC M2 are good for wired gaming. They can connect to any console with an AUX port, thanks to their included 1/8" TRRS cable, which also has an in-line mic so that you can chat with teammates. Their slightly bass-heavy sound profile helps emphasize sound effects while you game, but it won't overwhelm dialogue or instrumentals. They also have a comfortable fit.

Pros
  • Comfortable and well-built.
  • Over 20 hours of continuous playback time.
Cons
  • Sub-par noise handling.
0.0
Phone Calls 

The AKG N700NC M2 are satisfactory for phone calls. Using their integrated microphone, recorded speech sounds clear and natural. However, the mic struggles to separate your voice from moderate ambient noise, so you may have some trouble being understood if you're taking a call from a noisy environment like a busy street. On the upside, they come with an analog cable that includes an in-line mic. This mic offers a slightly better noise handling performance with background noise like that in a subway station.

Pros
  • Adaptive ANC has excellent noise isolation performance.
  • Comfortable and well-built.
Cons
  • Sub-par noise handling.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Apr 04, 2024: We've retested ANC Wind Handling with updated methodology.
    2.  Updated Apr 04, 2024: The following test groups have been updated following Test Bench 1.7: Noise Isolation - Full Range, Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios, and ANC Wind Handling. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
    3.  Updated Apr 04, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.7, which updates our Noise Isolation test. We've also expanded the scope of this test to include Common Scenarios in addition to Voice Handling and Wind Handling.
    4.  Updated Jan 26, 2024: The following test group has been updated following TB 1.6: Bluetooth Connection. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.

    Check Price

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    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The AKG N700NC M2 Wireless Headphones come in one color variant: 'Black', and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The AKG N700NC M2 Wireless Headphones are the second generation of the AKG N700NC Wireless. They have a similarly well-built and comfortable design as their predecessor, although now they have an adaptive ANC system that does a better job of blocking out ambient noise like the rumble of bus engines or office chatter. Like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018, they have roughly 20 hours of continuous playback time and support multi-device pairing. However, some users have reported that the hinges of their units are fragile and could break over time.

    Check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling headphones, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, and the best headphones for music.

    AKG N700NC

    Track

    The AKG N700NC M2 are the next generation of the AKG N700NC. Both headphones have a comfortable and well-built design. The M2 have a better noise isolation performance, a longer continuous battery life, and they support multi-device pairing.

    AKG K371

    Track

    The AKG N700NC M2 are more versatile headphones than the AKG K371. While both headphones are comfortable, the N700NC M2 are better built, have active noise cancelling to help block out ambient noise around you, and have a mic so that you can take calls on the go. They also have a companion app with a parametric EQ so that you can adjust their sound to your liking, and they support multi-device pairing. However, some users may prefer the K371's wired design.

    Razer Opus Wireless 2020

    Track

    The Razer Opus Wireless 2020 are slightly better over-ears than the AKG N700NC M2. The Razer are better built, and have a slightly more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. Their ANC also offers superior noise isolation, and their continuous battery life is longer. However, the AKG support multi-device pairing.

    Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018

    Track

    The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are slightly better over-ears than the AKG N700NC M2. While both headphones can block out a lot amount of ambient sound, thanks to their ANC systems, the Bose are more comfortable, and have a better overall mic performance. However, you can customize the AKG's sound using their companion app's parametric EQ.

    Show more 
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!

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    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

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedOver-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedYes
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Distance
    LockedLock dB
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation - Full Range
    Noise CancellingLockedYes
    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
    Airplane Noise Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Airplane Noise Isolation Audio
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    Office Noise Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Office Noise Isolation Audio
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    Street Noise Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Street Noise Isolation Audio
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    Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
    Female Voice 1
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    Male Voice 1
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    Female Voice 2
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    Male Voice 2
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    ANC Wind Handling
    ANC Wind Noise
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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
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    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
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    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
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    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Wired Connection
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    Detachable
    LockedLocked
    Length
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Connector
    LockedLocked
    Latency - Analog
    LockedLock ms
    Latency - USB
    LockedN/A
    Recorded Latency
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    Recorded Latency ConnectionLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Bluetooth Connection
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Quick Pair (Android)
    LockedLocked
    Quick Pair (iOS)
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Latency - SBC
    LockedLock ms
    Latency - aptX
    LockedN/A
    Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
    LockedN/A
    Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
    LockedN/A
    Latency - LDAC
    LockedN/A
    Recorded Latency
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Recorded Latency CodecLockedLocked
    AAC Support
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Wireless Connection (Dongle)
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Latency - Dongle
    LockedN/A
    Recorded Latency
    N/A
    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked