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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K361 headphones offer great sound quality and comfort, suitable for long listening sessions, and they have a wired connection which means no latency issues during video editing or gaming. However, they don't have noise-canceling features or portability like the Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds, which are wireless with active noise cancellation, making them ideal for travel and busy environments. The Sonys also have a built-in microphone for calls, while the AKGs do not. Choosing between these depends on whether you prioritize sound quality and a wired connection (AKG K361) over wireless convenience and noise cancellation (Sony WF1000XM3). Remember, the AKGs are generally less expensive. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.3
5.6
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the AKG K361 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.7
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$180
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The AKG K361 has a price of $99 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 has excellent build quality, while the AKG K361 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.5
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 and AKG K361 are both good for music.
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How the AKG K361 and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 9 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."
Sony WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
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About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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