Beyerdynamic AVENTHO 100: On-Ear Bluetooth Headphone Review

Starting with the build quality, you’ll notice immediately how lightweight the AVENTHO 100 is. Its compact size and small earcups contribute to the sleek aesthetic of these headphones. The metal frame makes the AVENTHO 100 feel more luxurious and expensive. The entire aesthetic makes the headphones look very retro and perfect for someone going for a subtle pop of color. The AVENTHO 100 comes in three colors: black, beige, and cream. 

The headphones can get even more compact with their folding ability, by the way they fold flat and inward for easy portability. The AVENTHO 100 may not go over the ear completely, but the tight clamping force makes it sturdy and stable during use. The earcups are soft and comfortable on the ear, though I can understand why this may become fatiguing over long listening sessions. 

Using the AVENTHO 100 is like using any other Bluetooth headphone. Turn it on, pair it to your device, and begin listening to your favorite tracks in an instant. You’re set to listen wirelessly for up to 60 hours, which is double the amount of time of most standard Bluetooth headphones. Even so, Beyerdynamic also gives you the option to listen with a wire and provides a standard 3.5mm cable for direct listening. Tactile buttons on the earcups make functionality straightforward and simple. There are buttons for toggling the ANC, power, play/pause, and volume. With the companion Beyerdynamic app, you can adjust what these controls do and personalize the buttons to be most convenient for how you listen. 

The Beyerdynamic app also comes with quite a few features that allow you to personalize your listening. You have three levels of ANC and transparency modes you can choose from, so you can be as isolated or aware as you’d like. You can even turn it off if you don’t want the microphones active at all. Additionally, you can play around with set EQ filters or make custom EQ filters of your own, so you are listening exactly how you like. 

The active noise-cancelling feature is also a highlight, and it impressed me during my testing. I wasn’t expecting it to be as strong or effective as it was, since the on-ear fit could have caused sound bleed and little to no seal around the ear. The noise cancelling was really effective and immersed me in my listening every time I had it on my ears.

• Wearing Style: On-ear
• Operating Principle: Closed
• Transmission Type: Wireless via Bluetooth
• Remote: Without remote
• Nominal Impedance Headphones: 48 ohms
• Weight (without cable): 220g
• Battery Runtime: More than 60 hours
• Battery Runtime (with ANC): Up to 40 hours
• Headphone Frequency Response: 20 – 22kHz
• Range: Up to 15m
• Supported Bluetooth Profile: AVDTP 1.3, AVCTP 1.4, GAVDP 1.3, SPP 1.2, RFCOMM 1.2, A2DP 1.4, AVRCP 1.6.2 HFP 1.9
• Bluetooth Version: 5.4
• Codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX™ Lossless, aptX™ Adaptive*
• Charging Port Type: USB-C

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Onto the listening! The first thing I noticed in the AVENTHO 100 is the narrow soundstage. Since the fit on these headphones doesn’t go completely over your ear, the sound that is reproduced doesn’t expand as far outward as I would have expected. Still, what the AVENTHO 100 lacks in horizontal space, it makes up for in depth. This headphone plays with the depth of the stereo field very nicely, giving good height to upper frequencies and letting the low end take up space at the bottom. 

The overall signature on the AVENTHO 100 is a bit bass-heavy. Beyerdynamic has a reputation for natural sound reproduction and balanced sound signatures, but I think only one of those elements exists. The low end was very dominating across the frequency range, and became the highlight and most heard thing in any track. Some simple EQ adjustment allowed me to balance things out, and the neutrality Beyerdynamic is known for jumped right out and made the AVENTHO 100 a little more reference. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

As mentioned previously, the bass is the most prominent thing in this headphone’s sound signature. The AVENTHO 100 gives you a powerful bass response that is impactful and lays a good foundation for other frequencies to build upwards from. The bass is thick and has a strong presence in every track it’s featured in, and also remains consistent in detail and clarity throughout. The AVENTHO 100 makes sure it drives when it needs to, but takes it easy in slower genres while still maintaining body and thickness. If you’re a fan of strong bass and powerful low end, you’ll like what the AVENTHO 100 has to offer. Even if you prefer a bass response that is subtler, the in-app EQ can get you to the sound you’re looking for. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

The midrange on the AVENTHO 100 is clear and has very natural sound reproduction. As previously mentioned, Beyerdynamic does a great job of making reference headphones that allow instruments to sound exactly as they should. This is no different in the AVENTHO 100, with a slight variation in placement. Instead of a wide field for the midrange melodies to live, all the instruments get focused into the center of the stereo field. They are still very clear and have impressive detail, but they are ultra-focused at the center without much deviation to the side. For someone who wants something simple in their sound, the AVENTHO 100’s midrange is perfect for background or just casual listening. If you’re looking for a headphone that can double as an analytical listen, I would steer you towards different Beyerdynamic headphones. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

The top end is the subtle element in this sound signature that rounds everything out. The AVENTHO 100 doesn’t have a terribly strong treble response, but it comes in just enough to bring some balance to powerful lows and a very present midrange. The treble carries over to the other ranges to accentuate the detail and clarity you can hear in tracks. There is a bit of an awkward cut-off, and frequencies feel a little caged in with the addition of the ANC. Still, there is enough space for frequencies to ring outwards and take up top-end space without clashing with other ranges. 

Beyerdynamic’s AVENTHO 100 proves to be a standout option for people looking for something new and different in their everyday listening. The on-ear design is different and perfect for subtle styles, all while sound quality does not get compromised along the way. Bass heads will certainly appreciate the low-end response on the AVENTHO 100, while more precise listeners will like the adaptability and customization you can do in the app. 

I highly recommend giving the AVENTHO 100 a listen. If you’re on the hunt for an affordable, retro-looking headphone, the AVENTHO 100 may be right up your alley. 

The AVENTHO 100 is available today at Audio46.