Orders
With so many functions, the AKG N5 Hybrids are forced to make compromises. Thus, the manufacturer allows all commands to be scanned via the headphones, but not simultaneously.
Asymmetrical, the controls then ignore the volume adjustment. The touch zone of the right earpiece covers navigation, while that of the left earpiece allows switching between noise reduction modes, calling a voice assistant or even switching from Bluetooth mode to the bass transmitter latency. It is possible to integrate volume modification (via the app), but by ignoring one of the other two groups.
Relatively intuitive, quite responsive without being perfect, the controls are rather successful in use. It goes without saying that the integration of a vertical sweep of the stems for volume would provide a huge ergonomic benefit. Like any modern product, the N5 Hybrids host port sensors to trigger pause/play when necessary.
Application
Twin sister of JBL Headphones, the AKG Headphones app is distinguished only by its darker interface. As for the rest, everything is close to perfect. The settings and functions are plentiful, practically nothing is left to chance. Whether it’s the excellent 10-band equalizer, the RBA adjustment, or even small experimental functions like SilentNow (disconnecting Bluetooth for a given duration), AKG Headphones is one of the best applications available today.
Connectivity
Armed with a Bluetooth 5.3 chip, the N5 Hybrid unfortunately does not go all the way to modernity, because it is incompatible (at least for the moment) with the LE Audio standard. Putting aside this slight disappointment, nothing to say. The headphones are multipoint compatible, support Fast Pair and Swift Pair, and adopt the LDAC codec after activating Hi-Res mode (in the app). Unless you are an unconditional lover of aptX codecs, it’s difficult to be choosy.
Impeccable, with the exception of a few hiccups with LDAC (low latency), the AKGs benefit from excellent stability and a very suitable range. The latency turns out to be a little disappointing in practice, since measured at 325 ms, but a video mode in the application reduces it to 125 ms.
In any case, the use of the low latency USB-C dongle makes this problem almost obsolete. The sound/image gap is then reduced enough to no longer be perceptible, or at least disturbing.
USB transmitter
A strong argument for the device, the USB-C transmitter (USB-A adapter supplied) is extremely simple to use. Once plugged into a compatible device (PC/Mac, smartphone/tablet, console), the connection bridge (sound and microphone) is automatically created with the device. Concerning the single button placed on this element, it activates or mutes the microphone, RGB indicator supported (red in mute mode).
If playing Bluetooth and low latency streams simultaneously is impossible, switching from one mode to another is very easy, either from the left earphone (double tap) or directly from the application. Indeed, access to AKG Headphones remains accessible as long as a Bluetooth bridge is created.
Tech
