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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | AKG Y30 | Grado eGrado |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $49 | $49 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2018 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 44 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 13Hz-27kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 106 g | - |
| Foldable | Yes | No |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | - |
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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