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When search for the word “Avanti” using your favourite browser’s search engine, you will receive numerous hits covering a range of topics.  But it is unlikely, if my experience is anything to go by, that the subject of this next review will appear in the first few pages.  Developed by Moshi, a company that strongly believes in design innovation and eco-friendly commitment to its products, the Avanti is a set of headphones which belong to the on-ear variety of personal listening devices.

Opening the rather stylish box reveals a custom carry case with a small looped tag to assist when carrying the unit.  This case contains the set of headphones.  Due to the circular clamshell appearance of the zip-fastening case, the set of headphones have been constructed with the ability to be folded so as to reduce the overall size of the listening device.  This reduction in size is achieved by the headphones being designed with the padded ear cups being attached to the headband in such a way that it allows them to be swivelled, inwards and upwards, back towards the headband.

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The Moshi developed ear connection also allows for you to slide the ear cups upwards and downwards for a more comfortable fit on the head and ears.  As well as having this ability to move the ear cups vertically for a more comfortable positioning, each cup is mounted, using a ball and socket type arrangement, allowing for minor adjustments to be made to suit various head and ear shapes.

While on the subject of comfort, my eyes were immediately drawn towards to the headband when initially examining this set of headphones as I removed it from its carry case.  Moshi had obviously decided on a minimalistic approach to the use of padding on the unit’s metallic headband.  Most of the headband is left totally uncovered by any form of padding apart from a narrow strip (15 x 165 mm) that was attached to the underside of the top section of the headband.  This is the part of the headband that rests on the head. 

The look certainly did not engender any feelings of comfort.  The headband padding was in complete contrast to the well padded and total coverage that was applied to the ear cups.  However I must confess to being pleasantly surprised by the degree of comfort I felt when wearing these headphones.  This was definitely a case when “use of” far outweighs any initial visual impressions.

To help, no doubt, avoid any problems with entanglement when storing these headphones in the carry case, Moshi has opted to go with a detachable audio lead.  Measuring 127 cm in length, this lead has a 3.5 mm jack plug at one end while the other end splits into two branches.  The two branches contain proprietary plugs for connecting to the headphones’ ear cups.  The plugs are colour coded to ensure they are connected to the appropriate ear cup.  Red stands for the right ear cup with silver being used for the left ear cup.

Positioned just below where the lead splits into the two branches is a built-in control feature.  This has been designed specifically to be compatible with iOS based devices although you do get some limited functionality when the headphones are attached to an Android device.  With full functionality you can use the control panel’s built-in microphone for conducting incoming phone calls, stop / start music input plus skip forwards and backwards through tracks with either a double or triple clicking on the control button.  When connected to an Android device, I could stop / start music and very occasionally skip to the next track.

While not totally blocking any outside noise, these headphones do perform a reasonable job with regards to reducing outside interference influences.  You will have no excuse for ignoring door / phone bell rings or comments from others in the room when wearing these headphones, The Moshi Avanti headphones make use of high resolution HD40 neodymium drivers to deliver its audio output with a balanced, immersive sound.  Audio quality is of a high standard and could help to justify a price point of around £245 for a tethered set of headphones.

https://www.moshi.com/audio-headphones-avanti