Short answer: the IOAudio Sogno. Both are rated 4.9/5 for sound quality (#3 and #4 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the IOAudio Sogno costs $399 against $499.99 for the AKG N5005, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The case for the AKG N5005: Bass, mids and presence all land within about 0.6 dB of the Harman target, giving a Harman score of 87 and a very smooth 1.11 dB deviation. Watch for: A 5.8 dB dip near 10 kHz and a 3.4 dB peak near 7.8 kHz leave the top end slightly uneven, taking some sparkle off cymbals and air.
Why pick the IOAudio Sogno: Its preference score of 88, taken from the median of six hobbyist measurements, comes with an average deviation of only about 0.8 dB, one of the most even responses among in-ears. The catch: A 3.3 dB dip near 6.5 kHz next to a 3.6 dB peak near 8.1 kHz can make some cymbals and sibilants sound slightly uneven.
Buy the IOAudio Sogno. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $100.99 less than the AKG N5005.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| AKG N5005 | IOAudio Sogno | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #4 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #3 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 88 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.11 dB standard deviation | 0.84 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 6 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 9.2mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm + 6mm coaxial dual dynamic + 6 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 12.8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 116 dB SPL/V | 126.5 dB/Vrms |
| Weight | 0 lbs (11.4 g) per earbud | - |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for IOAudio Sogno:
- IOAudio Sogno vs EPZ K9
- IOAudio Sogno vs Moondrop Harmon
- AKG N5005 vs Moondrop Meteor
- AKG N5005 vs IOAudio Volare
- Truthear Nova vs Tin HiFi T7
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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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The Two Headphones In Full
AKG N5005: $499.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass, mids and presence all land within about 0.6 dB of the Harman target, giving a Harman score of 87 and a very smooth 1.11 dB deviation. Sub-bass is essentially on target at 0.1 dB below, so kick drums and bass lines have natural weight without bloat. The five-driver hybrid layout and 18 ohm impedance with 116 dB per volt sensitivity run fine from a phone. At 11.4 g per earbud it is light in the ear.
Cons: A 5.8 dB dip near 10 kHz and a 3.4 dB peak near 7.8 kHz leave the top end slightly uneven, taking some sparkle off cymbals and air. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 0.6 dB under target, so it can sound a touch laid back. It costs far more than the Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED, which has the same rating, so the premium buys refinement rather than a better rating.
Full AKG N5005 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.11 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 9.2mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 116 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (11.4 g) per earbud |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -1.8 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,406 Hz | +3.0 dB | 1.31 |
| Peak | 892 Hz | +2.7 dB | 1.01 |
| Peak | 1,593 Hz | -1.4 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 77 Hz | +1.4 dB | 1.19 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,702 Hz | -2.0 dB | 5.51 |
| Peak | 3,571 Hz | +1.3 dB | 2.99 |
| Peak | 6,150 Hz | +2.2 dB | 5.73 |
| Peak | 4,894 Hz | -0.7 dB | 4.27 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
IOAudio Sogno: $399.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Its preference score of 88, taken from the median of six hobbyist measurements, comes with an average deviation of only about 0.8 dB, one of the most even responses among in-ears. Every broad band from sub-bass to air lands within about 1.3 dB of the Harman target, so bass, vocals and treble all sit in natural proportion. A coaxial dual dynamic woofer with six balanced armatures at 126.5 dB/Vrms plays loudly from a phone. It is rated above the Moondrop Harmon and Tanchjim Soda at a similar price.
Cons: A 3.3 dB dip near 6.5 kHz next to a 3.6 dB peak near 8.1 kHz can make some cymbals and sibilants sound slightly uneven. Only six samples were measured, so unit to unit variation is less well established, and the sensitivity is high enough that noisy sources may hiss. It has no built-in microphone.
Full IOAudio Sogno review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 0.84 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 6 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm + 6mm coaxial dual dynamic + 6 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 12.8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 126.5 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons