A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and have a higher budget, the AKG K361 headphones offer a better overall sound and a more expansive soundstage, suitable for critical listening. However, they are only usable with a wired connection, which might limit mobility. On the other hand, the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are more budget-friendly and offer the convenience of wireless use along with features like sweatproof certification and a long battery life, making them better for exercise and travel. They also have a built-in mic, which is advantageous for calls and meetings. 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 Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5
5.7
The AKG K361 is good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Gaming
6.3
5.1
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
7.6
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the AKG K361 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and AKG K361 are both only fair for noise reduction, though the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The AKG K361 has a price of $99 and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 costs $30.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has excellent build quality, while the AKG K361 has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the AKG K361 and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 5.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
AKG K361
See more
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."
Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
