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frontpage Posted by StrifeZero • Jul 14, 2024
frontpage Posted by StrifeZero • Jul 14, 2024

AKG N5005 Reference Class In-Ear Headphones

+ Free Shipping

$160

$218

26% off
Walmart
26 Comments 17,461 Views
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Deal Details
Various Merchants have AKG N5005 Reference Class In-Ear Headphones for $159.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Hunter StrifeZero for finding this deal.

Available from:Includes:
  • 1x Headphones
  • 1x USB charging cable
  • 1x Bluetooth cable
  • 1x Detachable twist cable with universal 3-button remote/mic
  • 1x Detachable twist 2.5mm audio balance cable
  • 4x Sets of eartips (XS, S, M, L)
  • 3x Sets of Spinfit eartips (S, M, L)
  • 4x Sound filters: Bass Boost, reference sound, mid-high boost and high boost
  • 1x Premium Pouch
  • 1x Cleaning tool
  • 1x Flight adapter
Features:
  • 5-driver configuration
  • 8-hour (max) battery life
  • 3-button universal/remote
  • Four precise output preferences

Editor's Notes

Written by SlickDealio | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price matches a Frontpage deal from March 2024.
    • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by StrifeZero
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Various Merchants have AKG N5005 Reference Class In-Ear Headphones for $159.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Hunter StrifeZero for finding this deal.

Available from:Includes:
  • 1x Headphones
  • 1x USB charging cable
  • 1x Bluetooth cable
  • 1x Detachable twist cable with universal 3-button remote/mic
  • 1x Detachable twist 2.5mm audio balance cable
  • 4x Sets of eartips (XS, S, M, L)
  • 3x Sets of Spinfit eartips (S, M, L)
  • 4x Sound filters: Bass Boost, reference sound, mid-high boost and high boost
  • 1x Premium Pouch
  • 1x Cleaning tool
  • 1x Flight adapter
Features:
  • 5-driver configuration
  • 8-hour (max) battery life
  • 3-button universal/remote
  • Four precise output preferences

Editor's Notes

Written by SlickDealio | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price matches a Frontpage deal from March 2024.
    • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by StrifeZero

Community Voting

Deal Score
+20
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Price Intelligence

Model: AKG N5005

Deal History 

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Sort: Lowest to Highest | Last Updated 5/14/2025, 11:12 PM
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Top Comments

Just received these... they sound outstanding. The detail retrieval is phenomenal. I generally do not care for earbuds, but I find them superior to Audeze LCD-1, Shure Aonic 50s, sennheiser momentum true wireless 4, philips fidelio, and AKG 501s. They don't have ANC, so they are inferior on a plane or calls, and they arent water proof, so definitely don't work out with them. I think it's a great value for under $200, but a narrow target audio-nerd audience.

For $350, I'd probably pick Sennheiser HD650, but these are half the price and way more portable. Even then, it is largely driven by my preference for over-ear versus in-ear. I highly recommend these buds.
No ANC fyi.

26 Comments

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Jul 14, 2024
788 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
Jul 14, 2024
redlikemethodz
Jul 14, 2024
788 Posts
No ANC fyi.
2
Original Poster
Jul 15, 2024
4,560 Posts
Joined Apr 2019
Jul 15, 2024
StrifeZero
Original Poster
Jul 15, 2024
4,560 Posts
Quote from redlikemethodz :
No ANC fyi.

Thanks for the info!
Jul 15, 2024
387 Posts
Joined Apr 2023
Jul 15, 2024
DaMexica
Jul 15, 2024
387 Posts
Noob here, are these iems or what do they mean by refrence?
nvm they are iems
Last edited by DaMexica July 15, 2024 at 02:06 PM.
Jul 15, 2024
1,745 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
Jul 15, 2024
Milk4Ever
Jul 15, 2024
1,745 Posts
What is the bundle? Which of the items are extra to the normal retail package?

Fyi, if you're gonna use these in wired mode(as most people would want to), you're gonna need a good AMP/DAC.

Also, this has frequently been $200 in the past couple of years.
Last edited by Milk4Ever July 15, 2024 at 03:26 PM.
Pro
Jul 16, 2024
522 Posts
Joined Sep 2015
Jul 16, 2024
herbsprovence
Pro
Jul 16, 2024
522 Posts
Quote from Milk4Ever :
What is the bundle? Which of the items are extra to the normal retail package?

Fyi, if you're gonna use these in wired mode(as most people would want to), you're gonna need a good AMP/DAC.

Also, this has frequently been $200 in the past couple of years.
I think it's just a bad title? it looks the same as regular packaging but I wasn't sure so I clicked the link and got directed to the regular N5005 page listed for $160 at Harman. Can't see any promo accessories advertised on the site.

A lil' on these, I did a bit of research into iems last time these for posted. $160 for these is tied to historical low for these. MSRP of $1000 is massively inflated. $160 you can get better sounding iems but none will beat the packaging, presentation, and accessories. Most iems in this price range won't come with a bluetooth + 3.5mm cable or that many different eartips + even sound filters. Alternatives that are better/cheaper can be Moondrop Kato, Sennheiser ie200, FiiO FH5s, Shure SE425 Pro, and I'm sure there's a lot more in this price class and my suggestions may be me misremembering.
Jul 16, 2024
127 Posts
Joined Jul 2019
Jul 16, 2024
gman_lumos
Jul 16, 2024
127 Posts
Genuine Question: How would these stack up against the multi-driver iems that chi-fi offers, strictly from a sound perspective (I know it's relatively subjective, but $160 is a lot)
Original Poster
Jul 16, 2024
4,560 Posts
Joined Apr 2019
Jul 16, 2024
StrifeZero
Original Poster
Jul 16, 2024
4,560 Posts
Quote from Milk4Ever :
What is the bundle? Which of the items are extra to the normal retail package?

Fyi, if you're gonna use these in wired mode(as most people would want to), you're gonna need a good AMP/DAC.

Also, this has frequently been $200 in the past couple of years.
I would consider this a bundle, as opposed to just a set of headphones.

1x Headphones
1x USB charging cable
1x Bluetooth cable
1x Detachable twist cable with universal 3-button remote/mic
1x Detachable twist 2.5mm audio balance cable
4x Sets of eartips (XS, S, M, L)
3x Sets of Spinfit eartips (S, M, L)
4x Sound filters: Bass Boost, reference sound, mid-high boost and high boost
1x Premium Pouch
1x Cleaning tool
1x Flight adapter
1x Serial Number Plate

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Jul 16, 2024
4,257 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Jul 16, 2024
MrShawn
Jul 16, 2024
4,257 Posts
Quote from Milk4Ever :
What is the bundle? Which of the items are extra to the normal retail package?

Fyi, if you're gonna use these in wired mode(as most people would want to), you're gonna need a good AMP/DAC.

Also, this has frequently been $200 in the past couple of years.
How do I use an Amp when in Bluetooth mode? I need some super loud earbuds for gym an can't use cables or carry an amp when jumping around an kicking an punching things.

My current Amp is already one hair too short of being loud enough to really feel the pounding after my ears adjust to loud levels with everything I already have. Does this mean I Must buy a better Amp to get anywhere near those levels the other (non silly low dB) headsets get from current Amp?
Jul 17, 2024
272 Posts
Joined Nov 2019
Jul 17, 2024
SkillfulCabbage3353
Jul 17, 2024
272 Posts
Quote from MrShawn :
How do I use an Amp when in Bluetooth mode? I need some super loud earbuds for gym an can't use cables or carry an amp when jumping around an kicking an punching things.

My current Amp is already one hair too short of being loud enough to really feel the pounding after my ears adjust to loud levels with everything I already have. Does this mean I Must buy a better Amp to get anywhere near those levels the other (non silly low dB) headsets get from current Amp?
If you are using amp, you won't be able to use an amplifier. But I personally think the bluetooth that comes with it is decently loud, It's just not very fixed when weared/not a usbc in 2024…
Jul 18, 2024
73 Posts
Joined Jan 2017
Jul 18, 2024
e6zion
Jul 18, 2024
73 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank e6zion

Just received these... they sound outstanding. The detail retrieval is phenomenal. I generally do not care for earbuds, but I find them superior to Audeze LCD-1, Shure Aonic 50s, sennheiser momentum true wireless 4, philips fidelio, and AKG 501s. They don't have ANC, so they are inferior on a plane or calls, and they arent water proof, so definitely don't work out with them. I think it's a great value for under $200, but a narrow target audio-nerd audience.

For $350, I'd probably pick Sennheiser HD650, but these are half the price and way more portable. Even then, it is largely driven by my preference for over-ear versus in-ear. I highly recommend these buds.
1
1
1
Original Poster
Jul 19, 2024
4,560 Posts
Joined Apr 2019
Jul 19, 2024
StrifeZero
Original Poster
Jul 19, 2024
4,560 Posts
Quote from e6zion :
Just received these... they sound outstanding. The detail retrieval is phenomenal. I generally do not care for earbuds, but I find them superior to Audeze LCD-1, Shure Aonic 50s, sennheiser momentum true wireless 4, philips fidelio, and AKG 501s. They don't have ANC, so they are inferior on a plane or calls, and they arent water proof, so definitely don't work out with them. I think it's a great value for under $200, but a narrow target audio-nerd audience.

For $350, I'd probably pick Sennheiser HD650, but these are half the price and way more portable. Even then, it is largely driven by my preference for over-ear versus in-ear. I highly recommend these buds.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Jul 20, 2024
1,725 Posts
Joined Dec 2013
Jul 20, 2024
JeffJ9000
Jul 20, 2024
1,725 Posts
This is another brand Samsung has crapified. Make sure you understand the return period and the warranty.
1
Jul 21, 2024
74 Posts
Joined Jul 2009
Jul 21, 2024
vinocat
Jul 21, 2024
74 Posts
Just a couple of thoughts about the bundle. While the IEMs themselves are terrific, and the tunability with the four inserts is useful, the main reason why these are constantly being blown out at a deep discount has to do with poor product market fit by AKG/Harman.

First of all, the list price is absurd, and at worst should have been more like $300-400. And the Bluetooth bundle is kind of a sad joke - why you would take a legitimately high-end pair of IEMs, and cripple them with compromised sound quality via the low bandwidth and crappy codec support of Bluetooth 4.1 is a complete mystery.

If you really want to enjoy these to their full potential wirelessly, get yourself a decent Bluetooth receiver that supports at least Bluetooth 5.x, with codec support for Aptx HD, LDAC, or Samsung Scalable Codec (SSC, which is exclusive to Samsung devices). and of course a device or transmitter that can provide the sending end.

And also, the lack of moisture resistance (IPX) certification is also a product market fit abomination. Ultimately, these are really only appealing primarily to audiophiles who are going to treat them with kid gloves, indoors, not working out, and with wired connectivity. Perhaps not a bad deal for fanatics at $160, but you might also want to consider that the AKG n30, which comes with no Bluetooth but does include three sound signature adjustment inserts, sounds pretty damn good, and close to these reference monitors, and can frequently be found for a mere $60 or less (discounted from its equally ridiculous $289 list).
Last edited by vinocat July 21, 2024 at 06:13 AM.
1
Jul 21, 2024
46 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Jul 21, 2024
AaronS7331
Jul 21, 2024
46 Posts
Would the audio quality be compromised if trying to use these on an iPhone using the Apple Lighting to Audio Jack adapter?

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Pro
Jul 21, 2024
522 Posts
Joined Sep 2015
Jul 21, 2024
herbsprovence
Pro
Jul 21, 2024
522 Posts
Quote from AaronS7331 :
Would the audio quality be compromised if trying to use these on an iPhone using the Apple Lighting to Audio Jack adapter?
You can look up more details reviews but here's just a example of one https://www.audioreviews.org/appl...er-review/

The general consensus for the adapters are they are great for $10 for iphone users, android users reports the usb c version to be way too quiet. The cable does seem like the weakest point of the cable though so it may break (the cable is limited lifespan anyways since its lightning). I would say definitely use it until you get a usb-c iphone and then look for alternatives. You don't want to drop a lot of money on a dac for a connector that is for all intent and purpose, dead.

For a cheap $16 alternative and USB-c, here's another sample review and you should go find a better one - https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp....io-adapter

I personally bought the anker one since I have android and the cables more durable.
Last edited by herbsprovence July 21, 2024 at 08:39 AM.

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