On-Ear
AKG Y30
72Good
$49
Full review dataAKG Y30 vs Skullcandy Icon® 180: 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.
On-Ear
Skullcandy Icon® 180
62Average
$35
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
AKG Y30
Sound7.0
Calls6.0
Value8.0
Skullcandy Icon® 180
Sound5.0
Battery8.0
Calls6.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | AKG Y30 | Skullcandy Icon® 180 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $49 | $35 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 62 / 100 · Average |
| Released | 2018 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 30 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 13Hz-27kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 50 h |
| Full charge time | - | 60 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 106 g | 145.5 g |
| Water resistance | - | IPX4 |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Detachable cable | No | Yes |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
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
Skullcandy Icon® 180
The Skullcandy Icon 180 is an affordable wireless on-ear headphone that combines a long 50-hour battery with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support for easy switching between devices. Its closed-back design helps block some ambient noise passively, while IPX4 sweat resistance and a foldable build make it a practical travel companion. Sound quality is decent for the price, with a customizable EQ available through the companion app, though it lacks active noise cancellation and uses only basic SBC codecs.
- Pro:Excellent 50-hour battery life
- Pro:Lightweight and foldable for portability
- Pro:IPX4 sweat and splash resistance
- Con:Sound quality is only acceptable, not outstanding
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Limited to SBC Bluetooth codec
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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