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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For a more immersive listening experience, the AKG K361 headphones are superior with better overall sound quality. However, they don't have a microphone, which might be crucial for calls and meetings. The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless earbuds, while offering slightly lower sound quality, do have a microphone scoring high for call and meeting purposes, and they're better suited for exercise due to being sweatproof. The JBLs also offer more convenience with true wireless technology, which eliminates the need for cables and they have better portability. If budget is a main concern, the JBLs are more affordable and might be the practical choice. 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 JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5
6.6
The AKG K361 is good for music, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
7.3
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for gaming, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.2
7.8
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for phone calls, while the AKG K361 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
7.3
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
6.9
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless and AKG K361 are both only fair for noise reduction, though the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
8.3 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The AKG K361 has a price of $99 and the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless costs $50.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The AKG K361 and JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K361 and the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | February 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 16 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
LaFonda | April 2023
"The Vibe Beam earbuds may not be a sleek as other earbuds in the price range, such as the equally priced Vibe Buds, but they sound great, have a long battery life, and come with an equalizer. And if you just need a solid pair if earbuds to get you through your commute, these will do the trick. I have no complaints here."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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
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
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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.
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