AKG N9 Hybrid Review: Why They’re My Top Pick for Gaming and Movies

Experience seamless gaming and movie sessions with AKG N9 Hybrid’s versatile USB-C dongle and premium sound quality.

A Quick Dive into AKG N9 Hybrid

As someone who tests headphones for a living, I’ve amassed quite the collection—each pair tailored for a specific vibe. There’s my go-to for music, my trusty running earbuds, a gaming headset, a pair of sleek in-ear buds for hot days, and a dedicated setup for binge-watching movies and series.

Enter the AKG N9 Hybrid from Samsung’s sub-brand. Rather than just fitting in, these headphones outright replaced half of my arsenal. Why? It boils down to one nifty feature I first noticed in their sibling in-ear AKG N5: a built-in USB-C dongle.

No clickbait here—I’ll cut to the chase. The dongle slips into the AKG N9 itself. Plug it into any USB-C port, and it hijacks the audio output, routing it directly to your headphones.

Need to borrow your partner’s laptop for a quick video call? Pop in the dongle. Want to game without blasting sound across your apartment? Dongle it. Tired of pairing Bluetooth on every device? Dongle it again. Plus, this dongle delivers a cleaner, higher-quality connection than Bluetooth, elevating your music and entertainment experience.

Within days, I realized the dongle’s full potential, using the N9 for everything from movie marathons on my iPad and PC gaming to answering calls on my girlfriend’s tablet. And yes, you can breathe easy—this article isn’t going to throw “dongle” at you any more than necessary.

Not Just a Dongle: Features that Impress

That quick device-switching convenience is fantastic, but AKG N9 doesn’t stop there. The AKG Headphones app brims with goodies: dynamic equalizer, spatial audio, left-right panning, and even a hearing test to craft your personal audio profile.

Battery life? Prepare to be amazed. The N9 clocks an astounding 100 hours on Bluetooth with ANC (active noise cancellation) off. Flip all the power-hungry features on? You’re still looking at well over a day of use.

And of course, sound quality isn’t compromised. AKG’s signature neutral audio mix means crisp details and a spacious soundstage that makes every note, beat, and whisper pop.

Here’s a bonus: AKG N9 are some of the best-designed headphones I’ve ever tested. They’re not just about looks (though they do look premium) but smart design too. The dongle tucks away into a small recess on one ear cup, and the volume control is a smooth twist on the earcup itself—no fumbling for tiny buttons. You can tell AKG treats design as an art, not an afterthought.

AKG N9 Hybrid Specifications

Price and Availability: A Premium Investment

• Announced: October 2024
• Price: $399
• Verdict: Pricier than some rivals but packed with features

The AKG N9 landed in stores just as 2024 rolled in and has been holding steady since. At $399, they firmly sit in the premium category, demanding some thought before you hit that buy button.

While more expensive than some fan favorites like Sony WH-1000XM4 or Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, they’re generally less than the ultra-premium Bowers & Wilkins Px8 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra.

Interestingly, despite nearly a year on the shelves, prices have barely budged—except in Australia, where you could snag them for a steal at about 309 AUD.

Design: Style Meets Practicality

At first glance, AKG N9 might look like any other headphones, but small touches elevate them to premium territory.

The headband sports a soft fabric, likely leather or a high-quality vegan alternative, paired with plush ear cushions and a dazzling speaker grill shine. The headset’s joints are sleekly designed, signaling that AKG didn’t skimp on style. You can pick them in classic black or crisp white.

They weigh in at a light 281 grams, so even with the extra features, they’re comfy for long listening sessions or marathon movie nights. No official water resistance rating, but they felt sturdy enough for outdoor strolls without worry.

Adjustability is straightforward—the headband extends about 2 inches (5 cm) on each side for a custom fit. But heads up: they don’t fold, so you’ll need to rely on the sizable carrying case included for transport.

Controls are smartly placed. The right ear cup houses a slider for power and Bluetooth pairing, a play/pause button, and a USB-C charging port. The volume? Simply twist the entire ear cup left or right—ingeniously simple and satisfying.

On the left, you’ll find a 3.5mm jack and a switch for toggling between Ambient Aware and ANC modes. Plus, the hidden USB-C dongle lives under a sliding ear cup cover. Some might find the dongle’s slight extra weight noticeable, but it’s just a few grams, keeping the overall feel light.

• Design Score: 4.5/5

Functionality: The Game-Changer Dongle and Beyond

The USB-C dongle easily takes the crown as my favorite feature. Plug and play, no fiddling with Bluetooth pairing—just instant connection to any device with USB-C.

I put it to the test across my iPad, laptop, and desktop PC for quick videos, calls, and gaming. It worked like a charm most of the time, though on rare occasions the audio didn’t switch fully, echoing what I experienced with the N5 buds.

Battery life is impressive: up to 100 hours on Bluetooth with ANC disabled. Even the minimum runtime—30 hours via the dongle during calls—beats many competitors. If you want marathon listening without charging anxiety, the N9 delivers.

ANC features are thoughtfully layered: Ambient Aware filters background noise while letting important sounds through; TalkThru focuses on voices; and the standard ANC mode has adaptive tweaks that adjust noise cancellation based on surroundings and how snugly you wear the headphones.

While the ANC is solid, it’s not best-in-class—some rivals block noise more effectively. Still, the app is a treasure trove, offering left/right balance, voice enhancements, a 10-band equalizer, and the Personi-Fi hearing test for a tailored sound profile.

• Functionality Score: 5/5

Sound Quality: Balanced and Detailed

The N9 pumps out sound through 40mm dynamic drivers featuring “liquid crystal polymer diaphragms,” designed for clarity across frequencies.

This results in a well-balanced profile—no overly bright highs or booming bass. It’s the perfect canvas for using the equalizer to dial in your preferred vibe.

Textures abound: the slide of bass guitar strings, finger taps on piano keys, even the subtle plucking of guitar chords are distinct. Mids stand out noticeably, giving songs and movies that extra depth many headphones miss.

Thanks to this sonic spaciousness, the N9 works as well for cinematic soundtracks and game audio as for tunes. I even swapped out my gaming headset during testing periods.

If I had to nitpick, the sound sometimes lacked a bit of energy and bass punch, but these are minor quibbles.

• Sound Quality Score: 4/5

Value for Money: Premium, but Justified

At $399, the N9 isn’t exactly budget-friendly. No headphones in this price range are bargains, but AKG gets you closer to value than many premium rivals.

The dongle, built-in controls, feature-rich app, and solid sound quality combine to justify the price—just not in the same league as cheaper alternatives.

If you’re watching your wallet, the best move might be to wait for discounts on Black Friday or Prime Day.

• Value Score: 4/5

Final Verdict: AKG N9 Hybrid Ratings

Other Headphones to Consider

Cambridge Audio Melomania P100

These earbuds earned five stars for their stunning sound and premium feel, matching the N9’s battery life and featuring voice control from Matt Berry—plus, they’re cheaper.

Sony WH-1000XM4

A bit older but still a classic. If you dig AKG’s retro vibe, the XM4’s look and sound might charm you. They often come at a lower price, though you lose Bluetooth 5.3 and some modern features.

How I Tested the AKG N9

I spent two weeks with the AKG N9, alongside the in-ear AKG N5, putting them through their paces on multiple devices: Bluetooth from my phone, wired 3.5mm from an iPod Classic, and the 2.4 GHz dongle on Windows PC, laptop, iPad, and Android tablet.

From music and streaming to gaming, movies, and video calls—tested at home, office, and on the go. Even took them for a few hours on a road trip.

“How to distinguish expensive headphones from cheap? Spoiler: it’s impossible!”

FAQ

• What makes the AKG N9 Hybrid stand out among other headphones? The built-in USB-C dongle allows instant, hassle-free connection to any device with USB-C, combined with long battery life and detailed sound.
• Can the AKG N9 be folded for portability? No, they do not fold. Instead, they come with a large carrying case for protection during transport.
• How effective is the active noise cancellation (ANC) on the AKG N9? The ANC is good and offers multiple modes, but it’s not the strongest on the market compared to some competitors.
• What is the battery life of the AKG N9? Up to 100 hours on Bluetooth with ANC off; around 55 hours with ANC on; and about 30 hours when using the dongle during calls.
• Does the AKG Headphones app provide customization options? Yes, it offers a dynamic equalizer, spatial audio, voice enhancements, and a personalized hearing test called Personi-Fi.

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