TL;DR
The beyerdynamic Aventho Y costs 1,799 kr and delivers exceptional comfort, reliable physical button controls, and a user-replaceable battery with over 60 to 90 hours of playback. However, its active noise cancellation is weak, maximum volume is limited, bass lacks weight, and high-resolution codecs are missing. It best serves listeners prioritizing long-term durability and balanced sound over powerful noise reduction.
How long should a pair of wireless headphones actually last? For most people, the answer is: as long as the battery. When it starts losing capacity after a couple of years, there is rarely anything that can be done about it. Beyerdynamic Aventho Y does things differently. The battery is located under the left ear cushion and can easily be replaced by the user. The cushions are magnetic and can also be replaced. Additionally, over 90 hours of playtime are promised, along with Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint, three levels of noise cancellation, and physical buttons. All for under two thousand kronor.
It sounds like a pair of headphones built to last for many years. But are the sound and noise cancellation good enough? Let’s find out!
Design and comfort
Aventho Y are really stylish. The round earcups are recognizable from beyerdynamic’s previous models, but here in a more modern design. The yokes holding the earcups are made of aluminum and feel stable, and the headphones are foldable. They are available in four colors: Liquid Black, Blue Fusion, Peach Blush, and Soft Jade. We have tested Soft Jade, and it is both discreet and stylish at the same time.
The headphones weigh 316 grams. That isn’t light, but it isn’t noticeable once they are on. The ear cushions are large and surround the entire ear, and the clamping force is just right. I have a fairly large head, and it’s far from certain that all headphones will fit me well. These do. I have worn them for several hours straight without them pinching or being bothersome. These are an unusually comfortable pair of headphones.
The ear cushions attach with magnets and are easily pulled off. Velour cushions in black or gray are available as accessories for 19 euros, for those who want a different feel or look.
Inside the box is a soft drawstring pouch. No hard case is included.
Buttons instead of touch
Beyerdynamic deserves praise here. Aventho Y is controlled with physical buttons, and it could hardly be done better. You can feel immediately with your finger which button is under your thumb, and you know what happens when you press it. No accidental swipes, no unintentional pauses when adjusting the headphones.
This is significantly better than touch, and I honestly don’t understand why more manufacturers don’t do the same. On Aventho 300, the entire right earcup is a touch surface. Here, beyerdynamic has chosen the simpler path, and it is the right choice.
Sound quality
Inside each earcup is a 45 mm driver. The sound is good, balanced, and easy to like. Vocals sound natural and clear, and it never becomes cluttered even when there’s a lot going on in the track.
The bass, however, is a bit on the weak side. It’s there and it’s clean, but it doesn’t punch as much as you might expect from a pair of closed-back headphones. Anyone looking for the rumble in electronic music or hip-hop will miss some weight. That real punch in bad guy med Billie Eilish isn’t quite there. The treble is lively and gives the sound air, but on some recordings, it can get a bit sharp. Ozzy’s voice in Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is right on the edge.
The maximum volume isn’t quite what one might wish for either. For everyday listening, it’s perfectly sufficient, but when a favorite song comes on and you want to crank it up properly, it stops a little sooner than you’d like.
It’s still good sound, and it’s easy to keep listening track after track.
The app and the equalizer
The headphones are controlled with the beyerdynamic app, and it’s good. It’s sleek and simple, and this is where you adjust the noise cancellation and the sound. The equalizer has five bands, and with it, you can boost the bass slightly if you find it lacking weight. It helps, even if it doesn’t transform Aventho Y into a pair of bass-heavy headphones. One appreciated feature is that the app shows not only the battery percentage remaining, but also the estimated battery life. Simple and sleek.
Noise cancellation
The noise cancellation has three levels and is complemented by a transparency mode. This is where Aventho Y is at its weakest.
Most of the attenuation comes from the headphones themselves. The closed-back earcups and large cushions block out a lot on their own, and when you turn on the noise cancellation, the difference is smaller than one might hope. The steady hum of a fan or the noise on a flight is reduced somewhat, but it doesn’t disappear. When music is playing, it’s usually sufficient, but those who commute a lot or fly frequently can get more for their money elsewhere. Earfun Wave Pro X attenuates significantly better for less money.
The transparency mode, on the other hand, is good. Surrounding voices come through clearly and naturally, and it’s convenient for taking a quick call or hearing an announcement without removing the headphones.
Connectivity and codecs
Aventho Y features Bluetooth 6.0 and multipoint, and it works without any hassle. The headphones switch smoothly between phone and computer, and the connection has been stable throughout the testing period.
Codec support, however, is meager. Only SBC and AAC are available. There is no LDAC or aptX, which is disappointing. For iPhone users, it doesn’t matter since they use AAC anyway, but on Android, it would have been interesting to hear what the headphones could achieve with a better codec. The same was true for Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT, but those headphones were cheaper.
Battery and charging
beyerdynamic promises over 90 hours without noise cancellation and over 60 hours with it. This matches well with my experience. These are headphones you charge very rarely. A full charge takes about an hour via USB-C, and five minutes should provide six hours of listening.
Something that truly stands out is that the battery is replaceable. You pull off the left ear cushion, open a small hatch, and lift out the battery. It’s such an obvious idea that it’s strange almost no one else does it. In the long run, the EU will require this of all manufacturers, but Beyerdynamic is one step ahead. When the battery eventually loses capacity, you don’t have to throw away a pair of headphones that otherwise work perfectly fine.
Conclusion
Beyerdynamic Aventho Y does a lot of things right. They are stylish, fit very comfortably even on a large head, and the physical buttons are as good as they get. The sound is balanced and pleasant, the app is good, and the battery life delivers on its promises. Add a replaceable battery and ear cushions, and you have a pair of headphones built to last.
There are still some drawbacks. The noise cancellation is on the weak side, and most of the attenuation comes from the headphones themselves. The bass could have had more weight, and the maximum volume could have been higher. The lack of LDAC and aptX is also disappointing for Android users.
Then there’s the price. The recommended price is 1,799 kronor. That is not an entirely unreasonable sum for a pair of well-built headphones with long battery life. Especially when you can also replace the battery and ear cushions. However, those primarily looking for strong noise cancellation and wide codec support will get more for their money with Earfun Wave Pro X.
With slightly better noise cancellation and a bit more weight in the bass, it would have scored higher. Now, it lands at a strong seven.
beyerdynamic provided review units for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you readers and consumers in focus.
How we rate products at SensesReview Highlights: Q&A
Can you replace the battery yourself?
Yes, the beyerdynamic Aventho Y features a user-replaceable battery located under the magnetic left ear cushion beneath a small hatch.
How long does the battery last on a single charge?
The battery provides over 60 hours of playtime with noise cancellation turned on and over 90 hours with it turned off.
How effective is the active noise cancellation?
The active noise cancellation is weak, providing only a small difference over the passive attenuation of the earcups and cushions.
Which Bluetooth codecs are supported?
Only SBC and AAC are supported; there is no support for aptX or LDAC codecs.
How are the playback controls designed?
The headphones use physical buttons rather than touch surfaces, allowing you to reliably feel and control each function without accidental presses.
