Vanilla, for higher and worse

Beyerdynamic is a large identify on this planet of headphones. However the Aventho 300 a uncommon entry into the wi-fi market, and so they have quite a bit to do to compete with premium headphones like AirPods Max.

On the crowded $400 value level, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 headphones will not be wanting competitors. In actual fact, they’re round $150 cheaper than Apple’s personal AirPods Max, relying on which sale is working on the time.

They’re across the identical value as the long-lasting Sony WH-1000XM6, the most recent in an extended line of crowd-pleasing ANC headphones out of Japan. However there may be extra to an excellent pair of headphones than their ANC efficiency — in addition they must sound wonderful.

Within the case of the Aventho 300, expectations are excessive in that regard. Beyerdynamic is a model that has constructed a reputation for itself round headphones that provide robust audio efficiency.

However you will discover Beats-heavy bass right here now. Beyerdynamic headphones are sometimes present in music studios and on the heads of podcasters for a purpose — they reproduce what goes into them. They do not add their very own aptitude, ala Beats.

However the Aventho 300 are a uncommon beast for Beyerdynamic. They’re wi-fi, leaving me to marvel how they’d fare in a world of premium-priced cord-free headphones.

So that is the query I set about answering when Beyerdynamic supplied to ship a pair for evaluation.

Aventho 300 evaluation: Design

Beyerdynamic gives the Aventho 300 headphones in two colours, each understated. There’s black and “Nordic Gray,” which is white. Each have silver highlights.

Shifting to the highest of the headphones first, a gentle reminiscence foam headband contains a fontanelle recess. Basically, the band is designed with the contours of your cranium in thoughts.

Shifting down, we discover a versatile swivel joint above every ear cup. That design ought to guarantee you’ll be able to at all times discover a comfy match.

These joints additionally imply the headphones might be folded up to slot in the included journey case. One thing that Apple may study a factor or two from. Its AirPods Max famously do not fold away.

Persevering with down, we discover the earcups, each of that are angled for a extra ergonomic match. Coupled with the swivel joints above, they make for a snug listening place.

To say that the Aventho 300 give an air of high quality is an understatement. They do not have the heft of AirPods Max, however they’ve the identical “costly” really feel.

You might argue that they need to, given the asking value. However the actuality is that it is not a given, even when spending $400 on some headphones.

For followers of details and figures, the Aventho 300 weigh 319 grams, in contrast with the AirPods Max at 386 grams. The distinction is noticeable when holding them in your hand.

Aventho 300 evaluation: Specs

The primary determine that jumps out when skimming the spec sheet is “50”. That is the variety of hours you’ll be able to count on from a single cost with ANC enabled.

That determine compares very favorably with, say, AirPods Max. Apple quotes as much as 20 hours of listening time with ANC enabled.

Ought to these 50 hours not be sufficient, a 10-minute cost will get you one other 5 hours of listening time. Two hours on the charger will take the Aventho 300 from useless to full.

Talking of charging, that is achieved by way of the USB-C port discovered on the underside of the best ear cup. You may additionally discover a 3.5mm headphone jack and the ability and ANC controls there, too.

When it comes to connectivity, there’s the aforementioned 3.5mm headphone jack. However for wi-fi followers, Bluetooth 5.4 is the order of the day.

Beyerdynamic says that the Aventho 300 can transmit audio utilizing the AAC and aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive codecs.

For these within the Apple ecosystem, utilizing iPhones, iPads, Macs, and extra, none of that actually issues. You may use AAC, and you will prefer it — Apple does not help the alternate options.

In case you’re set on listening to lossless audio, the USB-C port has you lined. Each Dolby Atmos and spatial audio by way of Dolby Head Monitoring are supported regardless.

These used to AirPods can be happy to study the Aventho 300 help multipoint pairing. The system switching is not as seamless as Apple’s, however it does work.

Aventho 300 evaluation: Options

As has develop into desk stakes for any premium headphones, the Aventho 300 help energetic noise cancellation (ANC) expertise. A transparency mode can also be current, ought to you really want to listen to your environment.

Beyerdynamic gave the Aventho 300s six microphones to assist them seize ambient sound so it may be piped into the headphones. You may also disable each ANC and transparency mode, must you wish to.

All three listening modes are managed by way of a single button that cycles via them when pressed. One tip for headphone makers right here: do not put the ANC button proper subsequent to the ability button as Beyerdynamic did. I feel you realize why.

The precise ear cup additionally homes a proximity sensor so the headphones can pause the audio once you take them off.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 evaluation: All the ports and buttons stay on one ear cup

Staying with the best ear cup, that is the place you will discover the capacitive contact sensor for controlling playback and adjusting the quantity.

Options lengthen to what comes within the field, and Beyerdynamic does not disappoint. You may get a tough journey case, a 3.5mm headphone cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a USB-A to USB-C cable. A useful drawstring bag is included for housing these cables, too.

Aventho 300 evaluation: The app

Like all headphones lately, you’ll be able to regulate the Aventho 300’s settings utilizing a free telephone app. The app gives fast entry to toggling options like ANC and selecting when the headphones will energy off to save lots of battery, amongst different issues.

Maybe most helpful is the customizable EQ, the settings for that are only a faucet away. There are a handful of presets, or you’ll be able to regulate issues your self by way of a five-band equalizer.

Utilizing the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 headphones

Beyerdynamic despatched me the Nordic Gray Aventho 300 headphones for evaluation, and I have been utilizing them with a variety of gadgets. As you’d think about, that features Apple gear like an iPhone 15 Professional Max and a MacBook Professional.

I’ve used a number of headphones in this sort of value vary, and sure, that features a pair of the unique Lightning-powered AirPods Max.

That inevitably meant that the very first thing I did was evaluate the Aventho 300 to my AirPods Max. And the very first thing I observed was the burden.

The Aventho 300 are noticeably lighter to carry, however you actually discover the distinction in your head. I am a fan of heavy, chunky tech, however not when it is hooked up to me.

That’s to say, I am an enormous fan of the best way the Aventho 300 really feel once I’m carrying them. They’re mild sufficient to vanish after carrying them for some time with out feeling flimsy.

One other space the place Beyerdynamic wins out is the best way the Aventho 300 headphones fold away. It is a easy factor that Apple appears to wrestle with, as is the onerous journey case Beyerdynamic’s headphones ship with.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 evaluation: These headphones are significantly lighter than AirPods Max

The Aventho 300’s consolation extends to fixing one other subject I usually have with AirPods Max: they do not make my ears sweat. I am not the primary to complain of overly heat AirPods ears, however I am happy to report there isn’t any such subject with the Aventho 300s.

In use, connecting the Aventho 300 headphones to my Apple gadgets is fast and simple. Pairing Bluetooth gadgets is not as simple as organising new AirPods, true. Nevertheless it does not really feel like a return to the darkish ages, both.

As I alluded to earlier, I am not a fan of the ANC and energy buttons being so shut collectively. I discovered it far too simple to show the headphones off when making an attempt to show ANC on or off.

One other criticism entails the sub-par touch-sensitive playback and quantity controls. Swiping to alter tracks labored — at greatest — half the time, and the quantity controls had been equally unreliable.

Find it irresistible or detest it, there’s quite a bit to be mentioned for Apple’s use of the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown on the AirPods Max.

After all, all of that is the appetizer to the actual deal. All headphones will stay or die on two issues specifically: how they sound, and the way good their ANC is.

ANC and transparency mode

As I mentioned, I am used to the AirPods Max and their notably wonderful ANC capabilities. They’re class-leading, and only a few headphones can compete on that entrance.

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 headphones aren’t any completely different.

It is vital to notice that this doesn’t suggest the ANC function is dangerous right here, as a result of it is not. I think that lots of people will strive the Aventho 300 and be greater than glad with their ANC efficiency.

It is clear that Beyerdynamic’s expertise is working; it simply does not do it to the extent I might like.

Nice ANC makes exterior noise nearly imperceptible. The Aventho 300s do scale back the quantity of that noise, however it’s most positively there.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 evaluation: Few can compete with Apple on the subject of ANC

Its effectiveness additionally is dependent upon what sort of sound you are coping with. In case you’re coping with the low-pitched drone of airplane engines, the Aventho 300s will carry out nicely.

However swap that as much as an workplace full of individuals or an space with numerous sources of sound, and so they wrestle. Folks speaking, specifically, appear to throw the ANC for a loop at occasions.

Equally, the transparency mode has its points. Specifically, the best way it makes every little thing a little bit too shrill for my liking.

The Aventho 300s have half a dozen microphones accumulating audio that’s then piped again into your ears. However whether or not it is the standard of these mics or the processing utilized to the sound, one thing’s amiss.

Just like the ANC, transparency mode works. Nevertheless it’s a way off being something to write down residence about.

My listening expertise

In order that brings us to audio. A pair of headphones must be good at truly taking the sound from a supply and transmitting it to your ears, in any case.

Fortunately, it is excellent news within the case of the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300. They positively do an excellent job out of the field with their default EQ settings.

In that configuration, listening to music reveals a vocal readability that not all headphones can match. There is no such thing as a muddying right here, and the soundstage is as large as I’ve skilled.

Earlier than the Aventho 300s arrived, I used to be anticipating headphones that excelled at audio copy. To my ears, that is precisely what I received.

However I might wager that lots of people do not truly need that. Musicians, podcasters, and audio engineers completely do. They want their headphones to be vanilla, avoiding altering the sound wherever attainable.

However the reputation of the Beats headphones of yesteryear categorically proved that lots of people don’t desire that. And, it seems, neither do I.

I discovered the Aventho 300s to be missing in bass considerably, leaving me adjusting the EQ to attempt to increase it. And I by no means fairly felt like I might managed it.

Against this, anybody else I gave these headphones to was proud of the bass ranges. That means that I am the odd one out right here, and it is made me notice simply how bass-heavy my different headphones are.

All of that’s to say that bass heads ought to most likely look elsewhere when selecting their new headphones. However if you would like correct, unaffected sound, I feel you will be greater than happy with what you hear.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: Glorious, for some

On the finish of each evaluation comes some extent at which the reviewer has to sum issues up. The entire level of a evaluation is to assist folks resolve whether or not they need to purchase a factor. And this evaluation is not any completely different.

However I am unable to suggest you purchase a pair of Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 headphones with out understanding extra about you. The identical goes for the way you will use them.

In case you’re purchasing for a pair of headphones to take heed to bass-heavy music or put on when enjoying booming motion video games, it is best to probably look elsewhere.

However if you would like a pair of headphones that will help you create music otherwise you need a vanilla listening expertise, the story modifications. If that is you, you would do a lot worse than the Aventho 300s.

Nonetheless, issues aren’t even that straightforward. The middling ANC makes this a tougher promote, particularly if it is an vital function to you.

One factor I’d recommend is shopping for a pair of those headphones from a retailer with simple returns, like Amazon.

In case you assume you may like these headphones, give them a few weeks and check out them on for measurement. There are some wonderful headphones right here. They only will not be for everybody.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: Execs

• Gentle and cozy
• Foldable design and journey case included
• Clear and crisp sound
• Unimaginable battery life

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: Cons

• Missing in bass for some
• Fiddly contact delicate controls
• A number of competitors at this value

Score: 3.5 out of 5

The place to purchase Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 headphones

You should buy the Aventho 300 headphones direct from Beyerdynamic for $399.99, although reductions are additionally out there, bringing it as little as $199.99. Amazon additionally has the identical headphones out there for a similar $399.99. Nonetheless, they’re usually out there for much less on sale, and at about the identical time as the primary web site.