Short answer: the AKG K92, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 1.0/5 for sound quality (#478 and #473 of 481 over-ear headphones), and the AKG K92 costs $69.95 against $129.95 for the Sony ULT Wear, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 481 over-ear headphones, and the HIFIMAN HE400se, ranked #23 at $109, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Why pick the AKG K92: The closed-back design isolates noise at home or in the office, and the 32 ohm impedance with 113 dB sensitivity means a phone or laptop drives it to full volume without an amp. Watch for: The response is far from the Harman target, with a preference score of only 3 and a very uneven 6.33 dB deviation.
The case for the Sony ULT Wear: Active noise cancelling, up to 30 hours of battery with ANC on and 50 with it off, LDAC and AAC support, and a wired option make it a practical travel headphone. Watch for: The preference score is just 8, with a very uneven response; a 12 dB dip near 9.7 kHz beside a 5.6 dB peak at 11.2 kHz, plus a presence region more than 4 dB low, buries vocals and detail under the bass.
Buy the AKG K92. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $60 less than the Sony ULT Wear.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
The closed-back design isolates noise at home or in the office, and the 32 ohm impedance with 113 dB sensitivity means a phone or laptop drives it to full volume without an amp.
Amazon $69.95 eBay
Active noise cancelling, up to 30 hours of battery with ANC on and 50 with it off, LDAC and AAC support, and a wired option make it a practical travel headphone.
Amazon $129.95 Sony $249.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AKG K92 | Sony ULT Wear | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.95 | $129.95 |
| Ranked | #478 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #473 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 3 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 8 (median of 2 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 6.33 dB standard deviation | 5.04 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.89 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wireless and wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 113 dB SPL/V | 100 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 16Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (200 g) | 0.6 lbs (255 g) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 30 hours (50 with ANC off, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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