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The Aria Pro headphones from Avantree is an attractive headphone under $100 with AptX LL, AptX HD, and active noise cancellation. The best ANC headphones, such as the test winner Bose 700, are costly, with prices above $250. What Avantree wants to prove is that one can also buy quality ANC headphones for under $100.
In this review, we dealt with the mid-range Avantree Aria Pro AS90P. The over-ear headphones have some interesting features onboard despite their accessible price.
1. Overview | 2. Quick Review of Avantree Aria Pro | 3. Package | 4. Design & Ergonomy | 5. Bluetooth & Technology | 6. Noise Canceling | 7. Sound Quality | 8. Conclusion
Avantree Aria Pro Budget Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Review
1. Overview – not finished
Type: Over-ear Noise Cancelling Headphones | Bluetooth: 4.0 | Battery: 30 Hours | Charging: 4 Hours | Drivers: Dynamic | Drivers-Size: 45 mm | Weight: 385g
Pros
- Good sound reproduction
Cons
- Upper-end of the audio spectrum is a bit sharp
To be completed
Overall 4/5
★★★★★ 4/5
The package consists of the headphones themselves, a transport bag, regular instructions and accessories. The synthetic leather bag protects the ANC headphones during transport, and offers enough space for the included micro-USB cable for charging, the jack cable, and the removable, flexible microphone arm.
Overall 4/5
★★★★★ 4/5
The Avantree Aria Pro ANC Bluetooth headphones were basically designed as a portable companion for home use, office, traveling, trains, or plane.
The design of the headphones is reminiscent of the WH-1000XM series from Sony. However, we wouldn’t speak of a clone. The differences, such as the manufacturer logos on the side panels, are too obvious for that. The workmanship of the Aria Pro is overall sufficient, but not of high quality. For example, the speaker’s fabric is not tight, which leaves a cheap impression. The matte plastic also does not have a particularly high-quality feel, and fingerprints are quickly visible. After all, the overall construction is stable, and nothing rattles.
The two ear cups of the black and gray over-ear headphones can be rotated and folded, which allows them to be packed compactly. The low weight of 231 grams is because the headphones are mainly made of plastic. Only part of the headband and the swivel joints are made of metal.
The headband is protected by a plastic cover and an artificial leather pad and is adjustable in length on both sides. The non-replaceable padding of the ear cups is very soft and also covered with synthetic leather.
Due to the low weight and the very soft padding, the headphones are very modest and comfortable. Even music sessions lasting several hours are easily possible with the device. The upholstery ventilation is sufficient, so there is no sweat during the test despite summer temperatures. However, the ears should not be huge because the pads are not sufficiently dimensioned for this, making them uncomfortable.
On the headphones’ underside are buttons for operation and ports for the micro-USB cable and the jack socket for audio transmission or microphone. Since there is only one jack connection, the user has to decide whether he wants to connect the external microphone or the jack cable. Both at the same time are not possible. The internal microphone does not work in cable mode either because cable mode is ultimately only an emergency solution when the battery is empty. On the right side are the USB port, the buttons for volume, play/pause, and a slide switch for switching on and off. A long press on the volume buttons will rewind or forward a song. Below the left earcup, there is a mute button, a button for calls and voice assistants, the jack socket, and a slide switch for activating the ANC function.
5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
According to the manufacturer, the internal lithium battery should last a good 24 hours. In practice with occasional use of ANC, however, it is more like 15 to 20 hours. That is easily enough for everyday life. However, the Aria Pro is not a real cross-country skier. It takes just over an hour and a half to fully charge it via a micro-USB cable.
The range of the headphones is almost 10 meters in the open. However, it can be significantly lower inside buildings. A walk to the next room works during the test without interruption or disturbances.
The headphones are very well suited for gaming, thanks to the AptX HD and AptX LL codecs. If you use a suitable device, you won’t notice any delays, such as these smartphones that support aptX Low Latency. The Aria Pro is therefore also ideally suited for watching TV with a corresponding Bluetooth adapter. Smartphones without the aptX codecs experience noticeable latency, which is annoying when gaming and watching movies.
The Aria Pro has an internal microphone and the attachable boom microphone, ensuring better voice quality. Either a classic 3.5 mm jack cable or Bluetooth 5.0 is responsible for the audio transmission.
The voice quality of the internal microphone is sufficient but clearly in the lower midfield. That’s why, for better recording quality, we recommend using a boom microphone for gaming, which noticeably improves voice quality. With the external microphone, the voice appears clear and natural. Only when filtering out loud background noises, neither the internal nor the attachable microphone can convince.
4/5
★★★★★ 4/5
The active noise suppression works noticeably and pleasantly well with monotonous low background noises. Humming noises or similar sounds can only be heard minimally or not at all. When suppressing loud voices or the TV running, the Aria Pro has a hard time and does clearly worse than the high-end devices from Sony or Sennheiser. Compared to the noise cancellation of true wireless headphones like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 (review), the Aria Pro’s ANC works well. However, this is mainly due to the design and the firmer damping due to the thick ear pads. Overall, the headphones do a decent job in this discipline.
In addition to the active noise suppression, the audio codecs that are rarely available in this price range stand out. In addition to the standard codec SBC, AptX HD, and AptX LL are also available. To use the almost latency-free transmission of those codecs, they must also be supported by the playback device.
The establishment of the Bluetooth connection worked without any problems in the test with various end devices. This also applies to the operation, although we rate the keys’ response as a tad too sensitive.
5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
The built-in 40 mm drivers in both the mid and bass segments prove that the music played over them can be carried away, let alone inspire in any form. The mids sound very rigid and not very concise. The depths come out of the background a little too covered for my taste.
It is clear that in this price segment, you don’t have to rely on the highs (implementing them properly usually costs the most money). Still, unfortunately, the headphones don’t really have a load-bearing element to offer. The sound appears powerless and discouraged. When ANC is enabled, this impression is unfortunately reinforced again since the mids fade here. You get the impression that you have to listen through a curtain the whole time. Many other headphones manufacturers do this much better with NC models in the price range below $100.
We really like the sound of the Avantree headphones when it comes to electronic music. Here, the headphones are in their element and can convince with warm and powerful bass even at full volume. The high and midrange areas assert themselves sufficiently well, and this is how the right mood arises.
Hip-hop and R&B are also fun with the Aria Pro. In these genres, the bass reaches its limits at maximum volume and then starts to sound unclean. Nothing rattles here, but better listen to music at lower volume levels if you want sound with low harmonics.
With classical music or a large orchestra, the Aria Pro only mediocre well with the standard settings. The middle tone regions, in particular, cannot assert themselves sufficiently here, and so there is a lack of differentiability.
Overall, the headphones are very bass-heavy. That doesn’t have to be bad, but it depends on the music genre and the respective song. If necessary, you can easily take countermeasures using the equalizer and thus get significantly more sound quality.
Overall 4.4/5
★★★★★ 4.4/5
The Avantree Aria Pro noise cancelling headphones are fantastic despite minimal weaknesses at high volume. In particular, the excellent equipment features plenty of codecs, a decent sound, and the option of using a jack cable in an empty battery make the headphones a real all-rounder at a fair price.
If you are looking for an affordable all-rounder for music, gaming, and communication, you will get a pleasantly good budget NC headphone, which is worth the price of just under $100.
All in all, the sound quality of the Avantree Aria Pro is very decent. However, this mid-range model cannot match the first-class sound quality of a Sony WH-1000XM4 or a Momentum 3 from Sennheiser in all situations. At just under a third of the price, this is hardly surprising. If first-class sound quality and a perfectly harmonious sound mix are the main requirements, branded devices from real audio specialists are preferable.
Pros
Cons
