I was really taken with these on-the-ear headsets: They have above average sound, are comfortable, and attractively designed. Unlike so many gaudy headphones, these have a modern, understated appeal. They look like you should wear them while sitting in a Herman Miller Eames chair, but you'll also be in good style on the subway.
Depending on your priorities there are four major criteria for headphones: Sound, Comfort, Looks, and Build Quality. Excellent sound in a headset that is uncomfortable, too heavy or too hot is, to me, virtually worthless. The Avanti's use a slightly smaller driver than some sets on the market, and as a result, the sound may not seem to have as much bass as some, however I found them very musical and to have a nicely balanced sound. Unlike many folding headsets in this price range they offer neither Bluetooth nor active noise cancellation.
Build quality seems top-notch. I've used them extensively in testing and had no issues and no sense that something was "about to go wrong" or "fall off" or "snap" as I so often do in lesser headsets.
The stainless steel headband feels strong, yet light, and I loved that the whole set folds up and fits in the included carrying case. (Like many designs of this type, the cord needs to be detached and stowed in the case, presenting an easy opportunity for it to get lost. I would have preferred to store the cable without removing it.) They come in a variety of colors. Mine were stainless steel with camel colored accents.
I was able to wear them at length without getting that feeling that my head was in a vice. The leather-like pads are soft and didn't heat up my ears the way some over-the-ear phones do.
These deserve serious consideration and were among the best of the mid-tier priced headsets I tested this year.
