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AKG Y30 vs Moondrop Old Fashioned: 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
Moondrop Old Fashioned
Sound7.5
Value8.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of AKG Y30 vs Moondrop Old Fashioned
SpecAKG Y30Moondrop Old Fashioned
TypeOn-EarOn-Ear
Price (USD)$49$25
HearWiki score72 / 100 · Good72 / 100 · Good
Released20182026
Audio
Driver40mm40mm Three-layer Rigid-flex Composite Diaphragm
Driver size40 mm40 mm
Drivers per side11
Frequency response13Hz-27kHz20Hz-20kHz
Impedance32 Ω32 Ω
Sensitivity115 dB/mW109 dB/mW
Wireless
Multipoint pairingNoNo
Features
Active noise cancellingNoNo
Controlsbuttonsbuttons
Design
Weight106 g-
FoldableYes-
Detachable cableNoYes
USB-CNoNo
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

Moondrop Old Fashioned

The Moondrop Old Fashioned is a budget-friendly, wired on-ear headphone with a semi-open design that delivers clear, well-balanced sound, especially for vocals. Its lightweight comfort and easy drivability make it a practical pick, though its open-back nature means noticeable sound leakage and limited isolation. The main sonic compromise is a lack of deep sub-bass, but for the price, it offers impressive tuning and musicality.

  • Pro:Exceptionally well-tuned sound for an open on-ear
  • Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long listening sessions
  • Pro:Easy to drive with any device
  • Con:Significant sound leakage due to open design
  • Con:Very little sub-bass below 100 Hz
  • Con:Limited isolation, not suited for noisy environments

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

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