If you want an over-ear headphone built around precise listening, choose AKG Q 701; if you need compact earbuds with noise cancellation, choose Devialet Gemini II. For cycling, neither is a dedicated open-ear or bone-conduction design, so I would not treat either as the obvious all-purpose riding choice. The real decision is between the Q 701’s over-ear listening approach and Gemini II’s portable, noise-cancelling convenience.
• AKG Q 701: Over-ear design with flat-wire voice coils and a two-layer diaphragm; its trade-off is that it is a headphone rather than a compact in-ear option.
• Devialet Gemini II: True wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancellation, four eartip sizes, and up to 22 hours of listening time; their trade-off for cycling is that noise cancellation is designed to reduce outside sound.
• Choose AKG Q 701 if your priority is a dedicated over-ear listening setup and detailed sound.
• Choose Devialet Gemini II if you want portable earbuds, Bluetooth 5.2, multipoint pairing, and noise control for everyday listening.
• For cycling: Consider your need to hear surrounding traffic and other riders before choosing either design.
The AKG Q 701 is an over-ear headphone built around sound-focused components. Its flat-wire voice-coil technology is intended to support accurate sound and transient response, while its two-layer diaphragm is designed for clear highs and accurate bass. The specifications also list a dynamic driver, a 10 Hz to 39.8 kHz frequency range, and 62-ohm impedance. Those details make it a more natural fit for someone who wants to sit down and listen closely than for someone seeking a small, easy-to-carry earphone.
The shaped 3D ear pads and single-sided cable are practical design details for a home or studio-style setup. The Q 701 is therefore the more compelling option for someone drawn to an over-ear form and AKG’s stated focus on accurate, responsive sound—not simply someone looking for the smallest wireless design.
For cycling, I would be cautious about choosing it as everyday riding gear. Its over-ear construction is not described as open-ear, and the product information lists no noise-control feature. If your main goal is the best bone conduction headphones for cycling, neither model fits that category based on the supplied details. The Q 701 makes more sense for stationary listening than for a ride where awareness of the environment matters.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-18 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The Devialet Gemini II takes the opposite approach: it is an in-ear true wireless earbud set with adaptive noise cancellation. The listing describes a titanium-coated driver for bass emphasis, Bluetooth 5.2, multipoint pairing with up to two devices, and customizable touch controls through an app. Four eartip sizes—XS, S, M, and L—give the fit more flexibility than a single-size setup.
Portability is its strongest practical advantage here. The earbuds are listed at 6 g each, and the charging case at 49 g. The stated listening time is up to 22 hours. That combination makes Gemini II easier to carry between a commute, a desk, and other everyday settings than an over-ear design. Noise reduction, active wind reduction, and internal delay compensation are also listed as part of its noise-control system.
That noise control is also the key caution for cycling. A snug in-ear fit and adaptive cancellation may be appealing on a commute, but reducing external noise is not automatically a benefit when riding around traffic. If you are searching for foldable ear clip headphones for cycling or earphones for cycling, the Gemini II does not match those specific designs: it is an in-ear earbud, not an ear clip or bone-conduction model. I would choose it for portable listening where noise cancellation is useful, not on the assumption that it is a purpose-built cycling headset.
• Best fit for focused over-ear listening → AKG Q 701. Its over-ear pads, flat-wire voice coils, and two-layer diaphragm point toward a more substantial listening setup.
• Best for compact everyday carry → Devialet Gemini II. The in-ear earbuds weigh 6 g each, with a 49 g charging case.
• Best if you want adaptive noise cancellation → Devialet Gemini II. Its listed noise-control features include adaptive cancellation and active wind reduction.
• Best if you want a headphone rather than earbuds → AKG Q 701. It uses an over-ear design with specially shaped ear pads.
• Best for switching between two paired devices → Devialet Gemini II. Its multipoint feature supports up to two devices simultaneously.
• Best fit flexibility from included eartips → Devialet Gemini II. Four sizes are supplied: XS, S, M, and L.
• Best choice for cycling awareness? Neither is an obvious match. The Gemini II has noise cancellation, while the Q 701 is over-ear; neither is described as an open-ear or bone-conduction design.
• Best for someone comparing headphones rather than earbuds → AKG Q 701. Pick it if the over-ear format and its stated sound-focused components matter more than compactness.
Neither product should be treated as a direct answer to every cycling-related search. “Headphones for cycling” can mean very different things: a rider might want a secure fit, easy portability, or the ability to hear surrounding sounds. The supplied details do not establish either model as a cycling-specific product, and they do not describe an open-ear listening mode. I would not infer that either one is safe for riding in traffic simply from its wireless connectivity or fit.
The distinction also helps when assessing comfort. AKG lists specially shaped over-ear pads, while Devialet supplies four silicone eartip sizes and describes a snug in-ear fit. Those are different ways of addressing fit, not proof that one will suit every listener. If you dislike earbuds, the Gemini II’s eartips are unlikely to solve that basic preference. If you do not want an over-ear headphone, the Q 701’s ear-pad design will not make it as compact as a true wireless set.
For device flexibility, Gemini II has the clearer stated advantage: Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint pairing for two devices at once. The Q 701 listing identifies Bluetooth wireless connectivity, but does not specify a comparable multipoint feature. For listening time, the Gemini II is listed for up to 22 hours. The AKG information does not give a comparable battery runtime, so I would not assume it lasts longer or shorter based on the available specifications.
My Verdict
I would choose the Devialet Gemini II for everyday portable listening because its compact in-ear design, four eartip sizes, multipoint pairing, and adaptive noise cancellation serve a wider range of on-the-go situations.
For cycling, though, I would not recommend either as a purpose-built riding choice based on these details. I would look for a design that better matches the need to stay aware of surrounding sounds. If I were buying strictly for over-ear listening, I’d choose the AKG Q 701 instead.
FAQ
Yes. Its listed noise-control features include adaptive noise cancellation, active wind reduction, and internal delay compensation. The AKG Q 701 lists no noise-control feature.
The Devialet Gemini II is listed for up to 22 hours of listening time. The supplied AKG Q 701 details do not provide a comparable battery-runtime figure, so there is no factual basis here to say which lasts longer.
I’d lean toward the Gemini II for portability: it is an in-ear true wireless set with a charging case, four eartip sizes, and multipoint pairing. Choose the Q 701 if you specifically want an over-ear headphone and prefer its sound-focused design.
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