AKG by Harman K390 NC information from Consumer Reports

AKG by Harman K390 NC

Approximate retail price:

$200

Summary: Portable isolating ear-insert-style noise-canceling earphones that come with carrying case, three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, detachable cord to enable mic/remote use with newer iPod/iPhone and some Blackberry devices, detachable alternate cord for standard connections, and mini-plug-to-airplane-jack adapter.

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Type: Portable

About - AKG by Harman K390 NC
The AKG K390 NC are portable noise canceling isolating ear-insert earphones that sit inside the ear opening. These earphones can be used with the noise canceling feature turned on or off, and are intended for use with iPods, iPads, some cell phones, as well as standard audio devices. They have an integrated microphone, player function and call connect/disconnect controls that work with iPods, iPhones, iPads, and some cellphones, and detachable audio cords with standard stereo and modified stereo mini jacks. The K390 NC come with three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, a detachable 39-inch standard audio cord, a detachable 40-inch audio that enables the mic/remote, a mini-plug-to-airplane-jack adapter, and a carrying case. This model is covered by a 24-month warranty.

About - AKG by Harman K390 NC

The AKG K390 NC are portable noise canceling isolating ear-insert earphones that sit inside the ear opening. These earphones can be used with the noise canceling feature turned on or off, and are intended for use with iPods, iPads, some cell phones, as well as standard audio devices. They have an integrated microphone, player function and call connect/disconnect controls that work with iPods, iPhones, iPads, and some cellphones, and detachable audio cords with standard stereo and modified stereo mini jacks. The K390 NC come with three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, a detachable 39-inch standard audio cord, a detachable 40-inch audio that enables the mic/remote, a mini-plug-to-airplane-jack adapter, and a carrying case. This model is covered by a 24-month warranty.

Features & Specs - AKG by Harman K390 NC
Works with noise reduction off Will operate without the noise-canceling circuitry activated; allows the model to be used as standard headphones if the batteries die. Works with noise reduction off	Yes
Monitor function (mute) Has a control that turns off the audio, and in the case of noise canceling models turns off the noise canceling function, so that ambient sounds can be heard. Useful for hearing ambience like travel announcements without turning off the audio player or removing the headphones. Monitor function (mute)	Yes
Integrated microphone Has an integrated microphone for use with some cell phones or audio players with a recorder function. Integrated microphone	Yes
Call connect/disconnect control This allows you to answer or disconnect from a phone call with some cell phones. Call connect/disconnect control	Yes
Integrated volume control This allows you to adjust the volume without having to dig into your pocket or purse for a player. Integrated volume control	No
Integrated player control This allows you to control some player functions (for example: play, pause, track skip) via a control without having to dig into a pocket or purse for a player. Integrated player control	Yes
Noise cancelling unit in earpiece The electronic circuitry for the noise cancelation function is integrated into headphones earpiece rather than incorporated as a separate module that is integrated into the audio cord. Noise cancelling unit in earpiece	No
Detachable cable A detachable cable allows the headphones to be used for noise canceling without the cord being connected to a music or video player, or dangling from the headset. Detachable cable	Yes
Cable length (in.) Cable length indicates the approximate length of the cable from the headset or earpiece to the plug, measured in inches. Cable length (in.)	59
Battery type The number and type of batteries used. Battery type	(1) AAA
Low battery indicator An indicator to show that the headphone battery power is low and will need to be replaced or recharged. Low battery indicator	Yes
Weight (oz.) Reflects the weight, in ounces, of the headphones including the audio cable and batteries, if any. Weight (oz.)	1.7
More features and specs

User Reviews - AKG by Harman K390 NC

Consumer Reports User Reviews

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Much less than impressed!!

from

Dallas TX

(21 of 21 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

How did CR get it so wrong?

12/12/2010

Pros

Lightweight

Cons

Falls Off/Out Of Ear

Too Much Ambient Noise

Uncomfortable

Best Uses

Comment:

I received the headphones as a gift from my wife and unfortunately she had purchased them before the reviews were in. There is a very loud humm and absolutely no noise reduction when the unit is on. I tried the Bose at a store some time ago and was very impressed. Given that CR had given the AKG a higher rating and they're an in the ear style, I had high hopes. Hopes were dashed within 10 minutes of opening the box. Back to the store for them. <br /><br />What happened CR??

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

compulsive

from

washington, dc

(20 of 20 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

sorry to say it, cr is wrong

11/27/2010

Pros

Compact

Cons

Cord Too Short

Falls Off/Out Of Ear

Very loud humm with NR on

Best Uses

Traveling

Comment:

I ignored the one user review and bought this based on CR's rating. The user was right! Cords make it unusable. Plugs fall out of ears with any movement. Loud humm with NR on, really pronounced compared to my old Bose (which these were intended to replace). Sent them back after 1 day. Too bad, because the Bose take up too much space in carry-on. Still waiting for a good alternative.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Wishing for Less Noise

from

Pittsburgh, PA

(22 of 22 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

No Discernable Ambient Noise Reduction

11/24/2010

Pros

Comfortable

Reasonable Sound

Cons

Too Much Ambient Noise

Best Uses

Comment:

I wanted these earphones to use at the gym and on flights. The problem: I can detect no discernible difference between the noise reduction unit being on and off. I returned the first set, thinking that the unit must be defective, given the high CR rating for ambient noise reduction (the store where I purchased agreed and offered me a refund or replacement), but the second set seems identical. Given that the ambient noise reduction does not have any discernible effect, they are no better in reducing ambient noise than my current ear phones that fit my ears well, and they are a lot clunkier since they have the relatively heavy noise canceling unit on the cord that you must clip to your clothes. The sound quality seems reasonable for an in-ear model. The set comes with a easily swappable ear plugs so you can get a good, comfortable fit in the ear. By the way, the AKG technical support person was totally unhelpful when I called about the product--knew less about the product than I did--and made up inaccurate information that, when I called him on it, he admitted contradicted the description on the company website. The store where I purchased was great.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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