OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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AKG Y23 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£45Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

AKG Y23 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

AKG Y23
5.5/10

Overall score

Score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components

80%

5.2

Technical score

20%

6.4

User score

â–¼Worse than 88% of headphones
6.8

Value for money

Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 84%
5.2

Technical score

Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
Score components

52%

5.4

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.2

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 86%
6.4

User score

User score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

User ratings

30%

5.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 94%
  • akg-y23
  • akg-y23
akg-y23
akg-y23
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones AKG Y23

Technical score
Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
Score components:

52%

5.4

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.2

Calls & Controls

5.2
User score
User score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

User ratings

30%

5.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.4
Popularity
Popularity
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
Popularity:
AKG Y23 has a popularity score of 5.4 points, which is lower than that of 54.1% of products in this category.
5.4
Value for money
Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components:

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.8
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
5.8 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 5.8 mm, smaller driver size than 99.3% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
AKG
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
11.2 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 11.2 g, lighter than 94.1% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

AKG Y23 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 94.9% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (11.2 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    11.2 g vs 218 g
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 94.9% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (11.2 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    11.2 g vs 218 g
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 34.2 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (5.8 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    5.8 mm vs 40 mm
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 4 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 25% lower user score
    User score
    6.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    AKG Y23
    the average pair of headphones
    AKG Y23 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.4 vs 8).
    6.4 vs 8
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 25% lower user score
    User score
    6.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    AKG Y23
    the average pair of headphones
    AKG Y23 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.4 vs 8).
    6.4 vs 8
  • 6.4% worse value for money
    AKG Y23 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.83 vs 7.3).
    6.83 vs 7.27
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 34.2 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (5.8 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    5.8 mm vs 40 mm
  • 4 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 5 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

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Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

C
consumerreports.org
01/06/2015
Summary of the review
AKG by Harman Y23 Headphone Review - Consumer Reports
kopfhoerer.de
18/12/2015
Hands-on test · Compact in-ear
Verdict
The AKG Y23 is a tiny, punchy in-ear with clean bass and wide stereo for on-the-go use, though its mids sit back.

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about AKG Y23

  • Ultra-small and lightweight 'invisible' design for high portability
  • Delivers surprisingly high-caliber and crisp sound definition for its miniature size
  • High sensitivity makes them easy to drive with low-power portable devices
  • Comes with four sizes of silicone ear sleeves to ensure a snug and comfortable fit
  • Includes a durable small carrying bag for safe transportation
  • Offers good value for money, especially when found on sale

What customers don't like about AKG Y23

  • Short cable length (1 metre) can be restrictive and tug when the device is in a pocket
  • Bass can be perceived as boomy or prominent, while midrange may sound slightly lean or grainy
  • Some users reported durability issues with the connector and wiring over time
  • Can produce a sense of pressure in the ear opening that some find uncomfortable
  • Lacks modern features like active noise cancellation or a tangle-free cable in the base model
  • Upper treble frequencies can feel somewhat muted or smeared

Verdict

The AKG Y23 is an ultra-small and lightweight in-ear headphone designed for studio-quality sound in a miniature form factor, weighing just 11.2 grams. It features 5.8mm dynamic drivers with a frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz, 16 ohms impedance for high driveability with mobile devices, and a sensitivity of 98dB SPL@1mW/1kHz. Its main pros include an exceptionally discreet, comfortable fit supported by four sizes of ear sleeves and a durable, tangle-free 1m cable. However, some users may find the sound signature slightly boomy in the bass and lean in the midrange, while others have reported a sense of pressure in the ear canal during long listening sessions.

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