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AKG Y30 vs Grado eGrado: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the AKG Y30 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 72. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: AKG Y30 - Good overall at around $49.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

AKG Y30
Sound7.0
Calls6.0
Value8.0
Grado eGrado
Sound7.0
Value7.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of AKG Y30 vs Grado eGrado
SpecAKG Y30Grado eGrado
TypeOn-EarOn-Ear
Price (USD)$49$49
HearWiki score72 / 100 · Good68 / 100 · Good
Released20182020
Audio
Driver40mmdynamic
Driver size40 mm44 mm
Drivers per side12
Frequency response13Hz-27kHz20Hz-20kHz
Impedance32 Ω32 Ω
Sensitivity115 dB/mW101 dB/mW
Wireless
Multipoint pairingNo-
Features
Active noise cancellingNo-
Controlsbuttonsbuttons
Design
Weight106 g-
FoldableYesNo
Detachable cableNo-
USB-CNo-
Calls
Microphones1-

What reviewers said

AKG Y30

The AKG Y30 is a lightweight, foldable on-ear headphone that delivers a lively and open sound with a slight mid-forward tuning, making it versatile across genres. It packs practical features like an inline mic and playback controls into an affordable package, offering strong value for casual listeners despite its wired-only design and lack of noise cancellation.

  • Pro:Very lightweight and portable with foldable design
  • Pro:Engaging, bright sound with clear mids and usable bass
  • Pro:Includes inline microphone and playback controls
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Non-detachable cable limits replacement options
  • Con:On-ear fit may not suit all users for long sessions

Grado eGrado

The Grado eGrado is a budget-friendly open-back on-ear headphone that delivers lively, engaging sound with impressive bass presence for its price. It handles most genres well, though it can show slight harshness in the upper mids and may struggle with very demanding bass-heavy tracks. Overall, it's a solid entry-level option with Grado's signature energetic character.

  • Pro:Strong bass performance for the price
  • Pro:Lively and engaging sound signature
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long listening
  • Con:Occasional sibilance in the mid-treble range
  • Con:Driver breakup on some tracks
  • Con:Not ideal for sustained deep bass music like EDM

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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