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 Y40 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

AKG Y40 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 Y40
5.9/10

Overall score

Score
5.9/ 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 67% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

6.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 67% of headphones
7.1

Value for money

Value for money
7.1/ 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 67% of models
Score components

70%

5.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 67%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 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 61% of models
Score components

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

8.5

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.5

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 61%
6.8

User score

User score
6.8/ 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 89% of models
Score components

70%

7.5

User ratings

30%

5.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 89%
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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 Y40

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 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 61% of models
Score components:

52%

6.2

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

8.5

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.5

Calls & Controls

5.7
User score
User score
6.8/ 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 89% of models
Score components

70%

7.5

User ratings

30%

5.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.8
Popularity
Popularity
5.2/ 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 58% of models
Popularity:
AKG Y40 has a popularity score of 5.2 points, which is lower than that of 56.9% of products in this category.
5.2
Value for money
Value for money
7.1/ 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 67% of models
Score components:

70%

5.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.1
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
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% 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
16 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 16 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 54.1% of headphones and equal to 4.2% 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
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% 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
on-ear
Weight
133 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 133 g, lighter than 73.4% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

AKG Y40 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 39% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (133 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    133 g vs 218 g
  • 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.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Wind noise reduction
    This pair of headphones reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 17 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 39% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (133 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    133 g vs 218 g
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 17 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 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.
  • Wind noise reduction
    This pair of headphones reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 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.
  • 17.5% lower user score
    User score
    6.8/ 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 Y40
    the average pair of headphones
    AKG Y40 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.81 vs 8).
    6.81 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.
  • 1.7% worse value for money
    AKG Y40 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.15 vs 7.3).
    7.15 vs 7.27
  • 17.5% lower user score
    User score
    6.8/ 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 Y40
    the average pair of headphones
    AKG Y40 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.81 vs 8).
    6.81 vs 8
  • 1.7% worse value for money
    AKG Y40 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.15 vs 7.3).
    7.15 vs 7.27
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

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

Overview video
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Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

slinkystudio.info
06/02/2015
Hands-on test · Compact on-ear
Verdict
The AKG Y40 is a very light on-ear with a sturdy aluminium build and strong bass, though its muddy midrange keeps it from sounding balanced.
whathifi.com
13/03/2015
Listening test · Compact on-ear
Verdict
The AKG Y40 is a sturdy, foldable on-ear with punchy rhythm, but rolled-off treble and tubby bass leave it sounding unbalanced.
H
head-fi.org
13/06/2014
Summary of the review
AKG's new "Lifestyle" headphone range - Y50, Y45BT & Y40 Would you like to see a comparison of how the Y40 performed against its larger sibling, the Y...
kopfhoerer.de
11/12/2015
Hands-on test · Portable on-ear
Verdict
The AKG Y40 is a compact on-ear with deep bass and cups that fold for travel, though harsh upper mids and weak treble hold it back.
L
leclaireur.fnac.com
02/01/2022
Summary of the review
AKG Y40 Black Review: Great headphones with slightly weak isolation
(Translated)Show original
01net.com
04/05/2015
Lab test · Portable on-ear
Verdict
The AKG Y40 is light and folds compactly, but its missing treble and weak isolation make it a poor fit for noisy transit, although an equalizer can help.
0
01net.com
04/05/2015
Summary of the review
AKG Y40 Technical Specifications - 01net.com
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

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

What customers like about AKG Y40

  • Extremely compact and lightweight design ideal for travel
  • Foldable 3D-Axis mechanism for easy storage
  • Punchy and energetic bass response
  • Durable build quality featuring stainless steel headband sliders
  • Effective noise isolation for an on-ear design
  • Detachable cable with universal remote and microphone
  • Available in multiple stylish colors (Black, Blue, Yellow)

What customers don't like about AKG Y40

  • Earpads are prone to falling apart or peeling over time
  • Treble can sound rolled off or 'musty', lacking fine detail
  • Small earcup size may be uncomfortable for long listening sessions
  • Volume controls on the remote may not work with all devices (e.g., iOS vs Android)
  • Non-standard 2.5mm jack on the headphone side makes finding third-party cables difficult
  • Overall soundstage can feel closed-in or slightly muddy

Verdict

The AKG Y40 is a compact, high-performance on-ear headphone featuring dual 40mm drivers and a 3D-Axis fold-flat mechanism for extreme portability. It operates with a frequency response of 16Hz to 22kHz, 32 ohms impedance, and a high sensitivity of 120dB SPL/V, weighing only 133g. Key characteristics include a detachable 1.2m cable with an integrated remote and microphone, closed-back ear cups for passive noise isolation, and a stainless steel headband for durability. Its main pros are its lightweight, punchy sound with deep bass and a design that is highly travel-friendly due to its small footprint. However, some users have noted cons such as rolled-off treble that lacks sparkle, potentially tight clamping force for larger heads, and long-term durability issues specifically regarding the ear pad adhesive.

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