With the Aventho series, beyerdynamic has long been catering to the younger, more everyday-oriented segment of its portfolio—a departure from the audiophile studio headphones for which the Heilbronn-based brand is actually known. With the beyerdynamic Aventho Y, unveiled at IFA 2026 in Berlin, a new, significantly more affordable model is now joining the lineup below the Aventho 300 (review): active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 6.0, a replaceable battery offering up to 90 hours of playtime, and an optional conversion kit that turns these everyday headphones into a full-fledged gaming headset when needed. We got our hands on a review unit in Blue Fusion and wore it for several weeks while working from home, on train rides, and during workouts. Below, you’ll find out how the Aventho Y performs in everyday use and who should consider buying it for 149 euros.
Technical Specifications of the beyerdynamic Aventho Y
| Design | Closed-back over-ear headphones |
| Driver | 45 mm, dynamic |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz |
| Bluetooth version | 6.0 with multipoint functionality |
| Supported codecs | SBC, AAC (no aptX, no LDAC) |
| Range | Up to 20 meters |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes, 3 levels |
| Transparency mode | Yes, can be activated via button or app |
| Microphones | 2 built-in microphones with ENC noise cancellation |
| Battery | 650 mAh, replaceable |
| Battery life | Up to 90 hours without ANC, approx. 60 hours with ANC |
| Charging time (full charge) | Approx. 1 hour via USB-C |
| Fast-charging feature | 5 minutes of charging = up to 6 hours of playback time |
| Wireless charging | No |
| Controls | Slider and ANC button (left), volume and multifunction button (right) |
| Weight | Approx. 317 grams |
| Material | Plastic ear cups, reinforced headband, synthetic leather padding |
| Size adjustment | 15 adjustment levels per side, ear cups rotate 180°, foldable |
| App | beyerdynamic app |
| App features | EQ presets, custom equalizer, button mapping, low-latency mode, voice prompts, firmware updates |
| Optional Accessories | Gaming Upgrade Kit (USB-C dongle + boom microphone, available starting October 2026), velour ear cushions in black/gray |
| Colors | Liquid Black, Peach Blush, Blue Fusion, Soft Jade |
| Package Contents | Headphones, USB-C cable, fabric pouch, quick start guide, declaration of conformity |
| Price (MSRP) | € 149.00 * |
Design, Comfort, and Build Quality
Our review unit of the beyerdynamic Aventho Y came in classic black, and even as we unboxed it, it was clear that beyerdynamic had deliberately chosen a younger, understated design language: not a strictly business-oriented look, but headphones that don’t look out of place in everyday life or while working out. The housing is mostly made of plastic, but the headband is reinforced with metal struts. As a result, the Aventho Y feels surprisingly high-quality for its price range of 149 euros. We didn’t notice any sharp edges, rough transitions, or a feeling of loose connections during our test.
Weighing in at around 317 grams, the Aventho Y falls within the typical range for over-ear headphones, and that’s exactly how it felt when we wore them: even during longer sessions working from home or working out at the gym, the headphones didn’t press against our heads or slip out of place. The faux-leather ear pads are magnetically attached, making them easy to remove and clean as needed—which is handy when you need to use a damp cloth after a sweaty run. The padding on the headband itself, however, is somewhat thinner; after particularly long wear sessions lasting over four hours, we noticed a slightly more pronounced sensation of pressure here than with the thicker headband padding on other models. The size adjustment works via 15 distinct notches on each side and could be set reliably without slipping; we didn’t experience any seal issues even while wearing glasses.
The Aventho Y is also foldable and the ear cups can rotate 180 degrees, allowing the headphones to be stowed flat in the included fabric pouch. A sturdy hard-case protective cover, like the one included with the more expensive Aventho 300, isn’t included with the Aventho Y—but the fabric pouch is perfectly adequate for everyday transport in a bag.
Features: Bluetooth, Range, and Controls
For wireless connectivity, beyerdynamic relies on the latest Bluetooth 6.0 standard with multipoint support. In our test, this worked reliably: Switching between a laptop and a smartphone while working from home worked without having to manually reconnect, and even beyond the specified 20-meter range—for example, when we left the smartphone in another room—the connection remained stable for a surprisingly long time before it finally dropped.
When it comes to codecs, however, the Aventho Y keeps things deliberately simple: It supports only SBC and AAC; beyerdynamic does not include aptX or the high-resolution LDAC codec. For most everyday scenarios involving Spotify, podcasts, or YouTube, this was barely noticeable in our test; however, audiophiles with the appropriate streaming subscriptions will notice the omission—an understandable compromise given the entry-level price.
The Aventho Y is controlled entirely via physical buttons rather than touch-sensitive surfaces: A slider on the left ear cup handles power on/off and Bluetooth pairing, with the ANC button located right next to it. On the right side are volume up/down buttons as well as a multifunction button for play/pause (press once), next track (press twice), previous track (press three times), and the voice assistant (hold down for about two seconds). During testing, we particularly liked the rich, clearly perceptible tactile feedback from the buttons—a soft clicking sound confirms each input, allowing us to reliably select the correct function even while wearing gloves or without looking.
From ANC Headphones to Gaming Headset: The Upgrade Kit
In our view, the most exciting feature of the Aventho Y isn’t included in the base package but is hidden in an optional accessory kit: Starting in October 2026, beyerdynamic plans to offer an upgrade that transforms these everyday and travel headphones into a full-fledged gaming headset when needed. Included are a USB-C dongle for a low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless connection and a clip-on boom microphone; conveniently, the dongle can be stowed directly in the ear cup when not in use.
At the time of our test, the kit wasn’t yet available, so we weren’t able to try out the gaming performance with the dongle and boom microphone ourselves. A price for the accessories also hadn’t been set at the time of testing. However, the concept behind it already impresses us on paper: Instead of buying a separate gaming headset, the same Aventho Y can serve as everyday ANC headphones during the day and, with a quick conversion, as a gaming headset in the evening. As soon as the kit becomes available, we’ll update this review accordingly.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is clearly the Aventho Y’s greatest strength. With ANC disabled, our test yielded a playtime that was close to the manufacturer’s claim of up to 90 hours—a figure that traditional ANC over-ear headphones in this price range can hardly match. With noise canceling enabled at all times, the battery life in our test dropped to around 60 hours, which also matches the manufacturer’s specifications and is still enough for several weeks of work without recharging.
The fast-charging feature is also practical for everyday use: In our test, just 5 minutes of charging via the USB-C port actually provided about 6 hours of music playback—ideal if the battery runs low right before a spontaneous train ride. A full charge from empty to full took us just under an hour. The Aventho Y does not offer wireless charging, but it does feature a replaceable 650-mAh battery—a detail we expressly welcome given the otherwise common “throwaway” mentality surrounding Bluetooth headphones, as it extends the headphones’ lifespan beyond the usual battery degradation.
App Connectivity: beyerdynamic App
We controlled and customized the Aventho Y using the beyerdynamic app. Several preconfigured EQ presets are available—including Off, Bass, Loudness, Neutral, Soft, and Voice—as well as a full-featured, customizable equalizer. If you wish, you can create, name, and permanently save your own sound profiles; according to the app, you can save over 20 custom presets, which gave us plenty of flexibility for different music genres and podcasts during our test.
In addition to sound customization, the app also allows you to assign functions to the multifunction button, activate low-latency mode for gaming and videos, and change the language of the voice prompts. During our testing period, firmware updates ran automatically in the background once without any issues. Overall, the app proved to be practical and reliable in our test, without confusing users with unnecessary submenus.
Sound Quality, ANC, and Microphones
In terms of sound, the Aventho Y makes a really good impression for its price range. The bass is powerful and has decent volume, yet remains pleasantly precise and doesn’t get out of control with electronic music or hip-hop. With rock, pop, and metal, the sound signature really shines in our listening sessions: guitars and synthesizers remain clearly separated even at higher volumes, without sounding shrill or harsh.
Our impression is somewhat more reserved when it comes to more acoustic, quieter genres like classical music or singer-songwriter recordings. Here, in direct comparison with higher-resolution headphones, the music sounds slightly more confined and less airy, which aligns with the formally narrower frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz—compared to the Aventho 300’s range of 5 Hz to 22 kHz. Overall, however, we rate the sound quality well above what we’re used to in the 150-euro class—the lack of high-resolution codecs like aptX or LDAC hardly detracts from this positive overall impression in everyday use.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
As expected, the Aventho Y’s noise cancellation falls short of the benchmark set by Bose or Sony, but it delivers a solid performance for its price range. On a train ride, the ANC system noticeably reduced the monotonous travel noise, though it didn’t eliminate it entirely—those seeking absolute silence, such as on an airplane, will reach the limits of the three available ANC levels here. However, we didn’t notice any perceptible background noise during our test, which is common with cheaper ANC headphones. If you’re looking for the best possible noise cancellation and are willing to spend significantly more for it, our review of the Bose QuietComfort (2nd gen) offers a direct point of comparison.
We were all the more pleasantly surprised by the transparency mode: ambient sounds and conversations are reproduced through the microphones in an astonishingly natural and clear way, without the tinny, artificial sound we’ve come to expect from some competing models in this price range. Whether in an open-plan office or during a quick chat by the coffee machine—without having to take the headphones off—this mode impressed us the most in everyday use.
Microphone Quality and Call Performance in the Test
Microphone quality proved to be a real highlight in our hands-on test—something we hadn’t expected given the price. During several test calls, including one on a busy street, the person on the other end consistently rated speech intelligibility as clear and free of distracting noise or echo. The two built-in microphones with ENC noise cancellation reliably filter out ambient noise without making your own voice sound unnatural. Whether for video conferences while working from home or for spontaneous calls on the go, the Aventho Y pleasantly surprised us in this regard.
beyerdynamic Aventho Y Review: Conclusion
With the beyerdynamic Aventho Y, the manufacturer demonstrates that an ANC headset for 149 euros doesn’t have to be a mere compromise. In our real-world test spanning several weeks, we were particularly impressed by the exceptionally long battery life of up to 90 hours, the replaceable battery, microphone quality that’s surprisingly good for this price range, and a truly well-executed transparency mode. Added to this is the Gaming Upgrade Kit, announced for October—a clever extra feature that makes the headphones appealing beyond everyday use.
On the other hand, those expecting maximum noise cancellation, support for high-resolution codecs, or a hard carrying case will be reminded in several respects of the price point of the more expensive Aventho 300 or models like the Bose QuietComfort. However, for anyone primarily looking for a well-rounded package with record-breaking battery life and future-proof features at a fair price, the Aventho Y remains, in our experience, one of the most compelling options in its price range.
PROS
- Exceptional battery life
- Good sound quality
- Replaceable battery for extended lifespan
- Excellent microphones
- Natural transparency mode
- Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint
- Premium build quality
CONS
- Only SBC and AAC codecs
- Noise cancelling only at mid-range level
- Headband padding somewhat thin
- Gaming upgrade kit not yet available at time of testing
Conclusion
The Aventho Y impresses with outstanding battery life, solid ANC, and a clever gaming conversion kit. At $149, it's a clear recommendation for all-rounders seeking flexibility.
