Our Verdict
Decent for mixed usage. Their great audio reproduction makes them good critical listening headphones and the nice ANC features lets you focus on your audio content. They isolate a decent amount of noise which might not be ideal for commuting but still good for the office. They are fairly tight and stable over-ears for sports, but their bulky design might not be the best for physical activities. Their wireless design offers too much latency for watching TV and gaming, but they can be used wired to get rid of the latency issues.
- Great audio reproduction.
- Decent noise isolation.
- Great obstructed wireless range.
- Slightly bulky design.
- Can be a bit tight on some heads.
Great for neutral listening. They have a very good audio reproduction that is flat and even. They are also quite comfortable for long listening sessions and perform consistently across our different test subjects, including people with glasses. However, since they are closed-backs, they don't have a speaker-like soundstage.
Decent for commuting. Their ANC isn’t the most powerful, but it does a good job to reduce ambient chatter. Unfortunately, they don’t isolate lower frequencies as well which is where engine rumbles sit. They have a comfortable fit for long trips and a decent 18-hour battery life for long flights.
Decent for sports. They are fairly tight on the head and feel stable for most physical activities. However, since they are over-ears, you might sweat a bit more wearing them during sports, and their bulky design might not be the best for some exercises at the gym.
Good for office use. The ANC feature isolates enough noise for an average office, and you’ll be able to concentrate on your tasks, especially if you have audio playing. They have a good battery life that will last you a couple of days without a problem. They are comfortable for a whole day of work, especially if you take some breaks here and there. You also won’t bother colleagues around you if you don’t blast your music.
Sub-par for gaming. They have too much latency if used wirelessly and won’t be a good option for gaming. If you use them wired, you’ll be able to use the in-line microphone which should be better than the mediocre integrated one but won’t be as customizable as other gaming headsets we’ve reviewed so far.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 17, 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 Dec 05, 2018: We've updated the Bluetooth connectivity data from Bluetooth 5.0 to 4.2.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The AKG N700NC are very versatile noise canceling over-ears that are well-built and comfortable for long listening sessions. Their ANC feature blocks a decent amount of noise but isn’t on par with other high-end noise canceling headphones like the Bose QC35 II or the Sony WH-1000XM3. However, they have great audio reproduction and sound great, on top of having great wireless range. See our recommendations for the best noise cancelling headphones and the best wireless headphones.
The AKG N700NC are better headphones than the JBL Everest Elite 700. The AKG earpads have better cushioning, don’t feel as stiff as on the JBL, and have a more neutral sound. On the other hand, the JBL isolate more ambient noise and leak less, which makes them a slightly better choice for commuting. The JBL app is also very complete and offers lots of customization options like an EQ, presets, and ANC control. The JBL are about half the price of the AKG, so they might offer more value for your money.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are better headphones than the AKG N700NC. The Bose are one of the most comfortable headphones we've ever tested, and they have much better noise isolation. Both headphones have a neutral sound profile, but the AKG have an EQ in their compatible app to customize the sound to your liking, which the Bose lacks. However, you can connect the Bose to two devices simultaneously which can be convenient.
The AKG N700NC and Sony WH-H900N/h.ear on 2 Wireless are very similar headphones, and both perform well. The AKG have slightly better isolation and have a very useful Auto-Off timer, which is convenient since they have worse battery life than the Sony. The Sony-compatible app is also more complete and offers more customization options. However, if you use the headphones wired, the AKG are more versatile and have audio and microphone support, while the Sony only have audio. The Sony have NFC and support aptX, but both headphones still have too much latency for video content or gaming.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better noise cancelling headphones than the AKG N700NC. The Sony have a more sturdy and more comfortable build, on top of having amazing noise cancelling capabilities. On the other hand, the AKG are more neutral-sounding and might be a better choice for critical listeners who wouldn't like the Sony's overemphasized bass. The Sony also have better battery life and more customization options. If you prefer physical buttons and think a touch-sensitive control scheme is too finicky and frustrating to use, then the AKG are a better option.
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.
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