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Stuff.tv
4 days ago
- Stuff.tv
I wish all headphones had the AKG N9 Hybrid's clever connectivity – here's why it's a great travel companion
Stuff Verdict Great sounding over-ears with a clever hidden dongle that's almost perfect for frequent flyers. The AKG N9 Hybrid won't be your first choice if you largely listen through a single device, though. Pros High-grade audio and noise cancelling Built-in USB-C dongle fantastic for travel Phenomenal battery life Cons Not quite an ANC class leader Overly sensitive wear detection with long reconnect delay Some codecs lock you out of advanced audio features Introduction Aside from a few pro-grade microphones and wired headsets, AKG has been largely in cryosleep since Harman and Samsung hoovered up the storied sound brand back in 2017. Well, that long slumber seems to finally be over: the N9 Hybrid is the firm's first pair of noise cancelling headphones under the new ownership, and it's got a connectivity party trick you won't find anywhere else. The ANC over-ears also promise epic battery life and cancellation tech to rival the class best. They'll need it, as at $399/£299 they are being lined up directly against heavy hitters like the Sony WH1000-XM6. There's been a lot of behind-the-scenes changes under the new regime, too, with some former staffers having launched their own brand – Austrian Audio. Has enough of the firm's magic been retained now it's under Harman ownership? How we test headphones Every pair of earphones and headphones reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of a week's worth of daily listening. We use a playlist of test tracks made up of multiple genres to assess sound, and use our years of experience to compare to other models. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: comeback kid The N9 Hybrid isn't the flashiest pair of over-ear headphones – but that's very much in keeping with AKG's established style. The matte black metal ear cups and silver bevelled edges remind me of the Y500 on-ears, as does the simple yet prominent AKG branding. The aluminium part of the headband adds some contrast. There's also a white version, if you like your tech to also be a style statement. The ear cushions and headband aren't the plushest I've worn, but the memory foam material inside means they're very comfortable to wear. Clamping force is well-judged and the ear cups are large enough to fully envelop your lugs, without having a massive footprint. The leatherette coverings warmed my ears up a bit with prolonged wear, but unbearably so. They do a decent job at passive sound isolation, too. While they don't fold for travel, the AKG N9 has enough tilt and swivel that the ear cups can sit flush to your shoulders when worn around the neck. There's also ample adjustment in the headband, so all head shapes and sizes should be able to find a comfortable fit. I like how light they are as well; at 281g they tip the scales a little more than Sony's XM6, but less than Sennheiser's Momentum 4. Neither of those rivals have a hidden compartment in the ear cup, which slides satisfyingly out to reveal a stashed USB dongle; with it, the N9 Hybrid is able to wirelessly connect to pretty much any modern bit of tech, regardless of whether it has Bluetooth on board or not. It's so simple yet brilliant, as you never have to remember to pack it – the dongle is always there when you need it. Features & battery: get connected The wireless dongle has a USB-C connection, which will cover most bases, but AKG does include a Type-C to Type-A adapter for older kit. This stows neatly in the hard-shell fabric carry case, which also holds a Type-A to Type-C charging cable and 3.5mm cable for wired listening, as well as the headphones themselves. An old fashioned double jack connector for in-flight entertainment systems completes the set. I loved being able to plug the dongle into my laptop, Steam Deck or tablet, saving the need to re-pair over Bluetooth. It's just plug-and-play, with the 2.4Ghz connection delivering practically zero latency – perfect for gaming and watching videos. The headphones have Bluetooth 5.3 on board, with the LDAC codec for better streaming quality. It's a shame new owners Harman haven't encouraged AKG to embrace newer codecs and connections like its other brands, though. The JBL Tour One M3 has LC3 and Auracast, making them that bit more future-proof than the N9. AKG needs to address how it handles wear detection, too. The N9 seemingly reconnects the Bluetooth signal every time you remove and put the headphones back on, meaning a few seconds of silence before your audio kicks in – but the content has already started playing. I found it particularly frustrating for podcasts and videos, and even readjusting the ear cups could trigger it. The on-ear controls are well thought out, with the various buttons and ports placed around the outside of each ear cup. There's an ANC toggle and 3.5mm port on the left ear, while the right has a play/pause button, power/Bluetooth pairing slider, and a USB-C charging port. The right ear cup itself then swivels up and down to control volume, so I rarely had to reach for my phone to control playback – and didn't have to worry about accidental swipes triggering overly sensitive touch controls, as is the case with far too many rival headphones. Throughout my testing, I've only needed to charge the AKG N9 Hybrid a handful of times. Battery life is outstanding, managing upwards of 100 hours over Bluetooth if you disable noise cancelling. I almost exclusively listened with it switched on, as I found bass response to be more balanced, and routinely lasted over the firm's 55 hour claim. A week of listening throughout work hours and only needing to plug in once is a fantastic showing. A mere ten minutes of charging is good enough for another five or so hours of music, too. Interface: feels familiar New parent company Harman has clearly had a hand in AKG's new smartphone companion app; it looks like a reskin of JBL's, with a near-identical feature set. That means there are plenty of settings to tweak, but also that you're locked out of a lot of them if you enable the LDAC codec. That's a shame, as the Personi-fi personalised listening test is a useful way to adapt the audio based on your hearing ability. The six generic equaliser presets and 10-band custom EQ are always available, but need a bit more understanding of audio frequencies to get the best results. Spatial audio upmixing (without head tracking) is also off limits when using the higher quality connection, but personally that's nothing to lose sleep over. I'm not a fan of the exaggerated surround effects it creates for tunes mastered in stereo. There are a bunch of noise cancelling settings if you'd prefer not to leave the headphones in their adaptive mode, but it works so well to changing background sound levels I never felt the need. Being able to adjust the left/right sound balance, and how much sidetone lets your own voice through while making voice calls, are nice inclusions. Sound quality and noise cancelling: finds the fun factor We're at the point now where most premium ANC headphones do a decent job at silencing the outside world, but there's still a gap between them and the very best of the breed. The AKG N9 Hybrid falls into the former camp, managing to mute the low-frequency rumble of a train carriage well enough and largely cutting out chatter from fellow passengers, even with music volume at a fairly low level. Distractions still slip through that Sony and Bose manage to prevent, though, and white noise is that bit easier to detect here. There's a real lack of bass when you switch ANC off, too – you're better off leaving it on, even in quieter areas, for a more balanced sound. The AKG N9 Hybrid's 40mm dynamic drivers, which use diaphragms made from liquid crystal polymer, have been calibrated very closely to the 'Harman curve'. That slightly v-shaped tune accentuates bass and treble in a way that's pleasing to the ears, but not necessarily accurate to how your music was mixed. As long as you aren't expecting a purely analytical performance, the N9 makes for a very enjoyable listen. Pendulum's Driver was suitably squelchy, with thumping bass hits at one end and clear, biting percussion at the other. The vocals on Nova Twins' Antagonist weren't drowned out by the distorted guitars, commanding real presence in the mix. HEALTH's Tears can often trip up bass-heavy headphones, but here the droning beat avoided sounding too boomy. More delicate tracks show these headphones can do subtle as well as bombastic, with the strings and piano on Thomas Newman's Any Other Name given plenty of room to breathe. The soundstage is fairly wide for a set of closed-back cans, too. the N9 lacks just a little of the nuance found in the Sennheiser Momentum 4, and no amount of experimenting with the EQ sliders could close the gap, but it's not a big one. AKG N9 Hybrid verdict They're comfortable, last an incredibly long time per charge, and are about as convenient as it gets for listening across multiple devices – whether they've got Bluetooth or not. The AKG N9 Hybrid is a capable all-rounder that really comes into its own if you travel often; few rivals let you leave the carry case and accessory kit at home yet still play nicely with (most) in-flight entertainment systems. The few software shortcomings I experienced were frustrating, and it would be nice to have more control over the advanced sound customisation when using the best quality Bluetooth codec. Sony and Bose also remain the best picks for noise cancellation; while both come at a price premium, the gap is narrow enough that in some territories I'd think very hard before breaking out the credit card. Everywhere else, though, these are still very much in the conversation – and even more so if you regularly hop between devices. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 An impressive return to form for AKG; the N9 Hybrid are great sounding over-ears with a clever hidden dongle that's almost perfect for frequent flyers. If you largely listen through a single device, though, there's no shortage of fantastic rivals. Pros High-grade audio and noise cancelling Built-in USB-C dongle fantastic for travel Phenomenal battery life Cons Not quite an ANC class leader Overly sensitive wear detection with long reconnect delay Some codecs lock you out of advanced audio features AKG N9 Hybrid technical specifications Drivers 40mm dynamic ANC Yes Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.3 Codecs supported SBC, LDAC Durability N/A Battery life 55 hours (ANC on) 100 hours (ANC off) Weight 281g / 0.62lbs
Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
AKG N9 Hybrid review: I never want to use another set of headphones ever again because I've just found the perfect pair
The AKG N9 Hybrid headphones slot perfectly into the category of best headphones. They are some of the finest cans I have ever used. The sound quality is incredible. When using the included Wi-Fi dongle to stream with hi-res codecs, I was blown away by the detail I heard from my music. And this wasn't limited by genre either, as I listened to everything from metal to country with no complaints. The N9s are incredibly comfortable to wear and have the best ANC I have tried, which is also fully customizable to suit the setting you are in. They are a little pricey at $399, but they do everything any audiophile could possibly want, and to such a high standard, so are definitely worth the splash. To find out more about why I love these headphones, keep reading my full AKG N9 Hybrid review. The AKG N9 Hybrid headphones are available from Amazon U.S. for $399 and Amazon U.K. for £299. This is pretty expensive for a pair of over-ear headphones, but boy do they pack a punch. Our current favorite headphones are the Sony WH-1000XM5s, which are also priced at $399. The Sonys took this coveted spot for their impressive noise cancelation, long battery life, and awesome sound… but the AKGs perform exceptionally in all these areas too. The headphones are available in black or white color options. The AKG N9 Hybrid headphones have a pretty basic design. I tested the white colorway, which has silver accents and I think they look pretty slick. The metal of the adjustable headband matches the silver accents on the ear covers. The design is cohesive and well thought out, with the leather of the padded areas matching the white of the plastic components precisely. My only criticism would be that the ends of the headband jut out a little far. This gives them a kind of early 2000s cyberman look, but it's something I can totally get past since the sound quality is so darn good. The padded earcups are extremely comfortable for prolonged wear. I wore them for my whole working day and had no complaints. The same can be said for the padded headband, which supports the 9.9oz (281g) headphones effortlessly. There is a lot of adjustment from the flexible headband too, which I found made the fit feel more secure. The headphones come with a compact carry case which the headphones fold into. There is also a nook in the case that houses all the wires and adapters the headphones come with — and boy are there a lot. There is a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, USB-C dongle, USB-A to C adaptor, flight adaptor, and a 3.5mm jack cable. The USB-C dongle also slots into the left ear cup, which slides open to reveal where the dongle sits so you won't lose it or need to scramble around for it. The controls are simple to use with minimal buttons to get confused with. There is a slider that controls the power and Bluetooth pairing mode. There is a button on the right earcup for pausing, playing and skipping music. The button on the left side lets you toggle between active noise cancellation and ambient sound mode. The volume is controlled by turning the right earcup clockwise and anti-clockwise, which is my favorite design feature as it negates the need for extra buttons. The headphones feature wear detection, so your music automatically stops when you take the headphones off, which is fairly par for the course in this price range. The music volume lowers if it detects you speaking to activate TalkThru mode. This can be adjusted so that it kicks in after 5, 15, or 20 seconds of chatting. I found this worked well in an office setting, but you could also disable it if you are in busy areas with lots of chatter. The N9s' Active Noise cancellation (ANC) is perhaps the most impressive I have come across. ANC headphones use contrasting noise frequencies to drown out ambient sounds and so you often get a crackling sound, but that is not the case with these. While there is some white noise, it is nowhere near as noticeable as with my Beats Studio 3s. The AKG headphones app gives you the option to alter ANC functions with adaptive ANC, which adjust to the noise levels in your surroundings. The headphones also have auto compensation, which checks fitment and adjusts ANC levels automatically. There is also an Ambient Aware setting, which can be turned on in the app or with the button on the back of the left ear cup. In the app, this function has a slider that dictates how much ambient sound is let in through the mics on the ear cups. When the slider is at its highest, the most sound is let in. This function worked well for me in the office, as when I needed to be more aware of conversations happening, I could let more ambient sound in. Likewise, when I wanted to focus, I could block out literally everything around me. The ear cups created a comfortable seal all around my ears to assist the ANC with plenty of passive noise cancellation. There was also zero sound leakage from the headphones thanks to the extensive padding on the cups. The AKG N9 Hybrid headphones use Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity, but also come with a 3.5mm headphone jack cable. There is hi-res support over Bluetooth, but even the highest quality codecs like LDAC come with their limitations. To that end, the N9s come with a WiFi dongle to transmit much higher quality tracks to the headphones at a lower latency. Alternatively, you can also plug in the headphones with the jack cable for true lossless playback. The headphones have multipoint connection as well as Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift pair to make the connection easier and faster. It was far easier and quicker to use Google Fast Pair than connecting via Bluetooth to an iPhone. I will start by saying, you will obviously get the best audio with these headphones by using the 3.5mm jack cable to stream audio losslessly. I listened to music on Qobuz and it made every song I listened to incredibly crisp and clear, even without using Hi-Res tracks. But the convenience of wireless listening is too good to pass up, so you'll be glad to know using the Wi-Fi dongle also delivers insane sound quality — especially when I enabled Hi-Res audio streaming on Qobuz. The headphones coped extremely well with all genres and vocals, from the rasp of Andy Biersack to the light airy twang of Sabrina Carpenter. The app comes with 7 EQ presets including Studio, Bass, Club, Extreme Bass, Vocal, and Jazz. I first tested out Linkin Park's 'The Emptiness Machine', which has a lot of layers for the headphone drivers to contend with, but it was no challenge for the N9 Hybrids. I listened to this song on the streaming platform Qobuz, which allows 24-bit hi-res streaming. The layers of the vocals were clear, and allowed me to hear reverb on the backing vocals that I hadn't noticed before. I would go so far as to describe this song, paired with these headphones, as nothing short of epic. There was no tinniness or distortion, even in the heavy drum elements the song relies on. No notes from me. Sticking with the Hi-Res streaming, I moved on to 'Sexy To Someone' by Clairo and used the Jazz EQ preset. This was a complete flip in genre but I wanted to be sure these headphones can handle all eventualities. Clairo's vocals came across as soft and ethereal, but the standout of this song was the piano. The staccato notes were sharp and clear without completely overpowering the high hats, which also pulled through the song nicely. Bass is always a challenge for headphones and earbuds alike, since it is a hard balance to strike — headphones and earbuds I have tested in the past, like the LG xboom Buds, often prioritize booming bass and forget to compensate with the higher frequencies. You won't be shocked that I think the AKG N9 Hybrids do an awesome job of delivering peak bass performance and making sure the higher frequencies remain complementary. I selected the Extreme Bass EQ preset and played 'The Adults Are Talking' by The Strokes. It complemented the vocals in the song really well and the bass guitar shone through on this iconic indie track. Depending on how you listen to this song, whether that be on a speaker or headphones, you are able to hear different layers coming through. But this song is bass-led and this preset made it sound incredible, without taking away from the mids at all. I also flipped over to the normal Bass preset and the difference was pretty stark. Although it still sounded great, the Extreme Bass gives an extra nudge towards the feeling of being at a gig — you know, when you can feel the bass beating in your chest — an effect I always strive to obtain. The app also houses a Club EQ present, and it would be remiss of me not to test this with a Charli xcx song. I played her song 'Club classics' to keep with the theme. I think this preset and song are made for each other. The 40mm dynamic drivers made the bass sound liquid and the vocals blended seamlessly over the top. I also played with the Custom EQ when listening to this song, and I was able to achieve the perfect balance of keeping the song's booming feel while reducing the bass so the vocals were the focus. Basically, anything you want to do to a song, the headphones will cope extremely well. The AKG app gives a whole lot of control for the N9 Hybrid headphones. From control over audio with custom EQs to the intensity of the ANC settings, the app is the perfect companion to these cans. With the app, the headphones can act as the perfect meeting companion, as it lets you alter voice settings. I chose to keep with the natural voice setting but you can make yours sound brighter or even more powerful for the person at the other end of the call. The app also features a hearing test called Personi-Fi. To complete this I was instructed to press down on the screen until I could no longer hear the sound the app was playing to me. I had to do this nine times for each ear. It gave feedback on the results in the form of an EQ chart, but it was not noticeably different to the standard EQ of the headphones, so it didn't make a massive difference for my listening. However, for someone who is hard of hearing, this is an awesome feature as it will adjust the EQ to ensure the best function. There is also a test for the seal of the headphones in the Personi-Fi test, allowing the headphones to automatically compensate ANC based on how you wear them. The SilentNow function can be enabled in the app also. This simply disconnects the headphones from wireless and keeps ANC on to create a bubble for focus or winding down in loud areas. I found this setting particularly useful when I wanted to read my book in a busy cafe without interruption. The battery life on these cans is awesome. AKG quotes that you get 100 hours of listening when using Bluetooth and ANC is turned off. If you are using the wireless dongle, AKG says the battery time drops to 85 hours. When the ANC is turned on, AKG claims the headphones have 55 hours of battery life – which is still super impressive. However, in my testing I found that they were probably being conservative with that number. I used the headphones for around 10 hours over two days and the battery only decreased by 10%. This was using the Wi-Fi dongle with the ANC turned on too. The headphones take 3 hours to fully charge, which is fairly quick given there's clearly a large battery. And just 10 minutes of charging will give 6 hours of music playback. In short, the AKG N9 Hybrids are my favorite headphones — as in, ever. They're awesome for detailed listening and deliver each layer of sound with complete clarity. The ANC is so good that I felt like I was in my own bubble: just me and my music. The headphones are extremely comfortable for long periods of wear and the padding on the ear cups creates an excellent seal to deliver some of the best noise cancellation I've tried. There's nothing I can fault these headphones for — they may be $399, but trust me: that's money well spent.
