When it comes to reviews, Austrian Audio has had something of a dream start. So far, we’ve talked about three of the company’s headphones, and all of them have been great. The entry-level Hi-X15 even won a Award this year. If you look at the rating for the open-back Hi-X65, you’ll see that this current top of the line continues to meet high standards.
The company was started in the middle of 2017, but its core is made up of people who used to work at AKG and have decades of experience in the headphone business. The products made by Austrian Audio show that they have a lot of knowledge.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 specifications
| Cables | 1.2m, 3m |
| Connection | 3.5mm jack with 6.3mm adaptor |
| Weight | 345g (without cable) |
| Input Power | 150 mW |
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review: Design
The Hi-X65 have an open-back design, which means that some sound leaks out and a fair amount of outside noise gets in. Even though these headphones don’t leak as much as, say, Grado’s otherwise great SR325x, it’s still something to keep in mind if you’re going to use them around other people.
Of course, open-back designs tend to sound better than their closed-back counterparts. If everything else is the same, they tend to sound more open and clear, with a noticeable boost in expressiveness when it comes to volume. That’s because there isn’t a case around the drive unit, which means there aren’t any of the resonances and distortions that come with it. You can buy this headphone from its official website.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review: Sound quality
The Hi-X65 drivers move a lot of air in real life. So you might think that they would be too strong. But in reality, the overall balance is very good, and the depth is great. They’re not the most forward-sounding headphones we’ve ever used, but the sound is great for mixing, mastering, and just listening to music.
There’s also no sign of the annoying bass boost that ruins many designs. The high frequencies are clear, smooth, and detailed, and the midrange was a little too quiet for us, but the separation and imaging are great overall.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review: Comfort
Most people would think that the Hi-earpad X65’s holes would be small based on how big the earcups are. The Hi-X65, on the other hand, has thin-walled earpads that give it larger earpad holes and enough space inside the earcups for most ear sizes.
Austrian Audio has put a lot of thought into making the Hi-X65 comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The cushions on the headband and earcups are soft enough that no hard parts are pressing against my skin, but the earpads are firm enough that the headphones won’t just fall off my head.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review: Performance
The Hi-X65 drivers move a lot of air in real life. So you might think that they would be too strong. But in reality, the overall balance is very good, and the depth is great. They’re not the most forward-sounding headphones we’ve ever used, but the sound is great for mixing, mastering, and just listening to music.
There’s also no sign of the annoying bass boost that ruins many designs. The high frequencies are clear, smooth, and detailed, and the midrange was a little too quiet for us, but the separation and imaging are great overall.
Final Words
When we got the Hi-X65, we thought it was just an open-back version of the Hi-X55, since it was almost exactly the same in terms of its build and packaging. Which means it’s reliable, useful, and easy to move around. We know that the Hi-X65 was made so that it could be used to mix and master music. But we can say with certainty that it can also be enjoyable to listen to because of its slightly richer presentation, which still stays neutral and has a lot of detail.
Pros
- Reasonably neutral sonic signature.
- Very comfortable fit.
- Excellent detail and separation.
Cons
- No great isolation from environmental noise
- Sound lacks the exuberance of some rivals
FAQS
Is Austrian audio a good brand?
Austrian Audio’s new line of professional-level Hi-X headphones has gotten a lot of praise and a lot of awards. At NAMM 2022, their top model, the Hi-X65, won a prestigious TEC award. The Hi-X55, which is in the upper mid-range, was nominated for the same award in 2020.
What is the No 1 speaker in the world?
KEF LS50 Powerful Wireless Speaker System. The KEF LS50 are high-fidelity speakers that are made to give you a lot of bass and detail.
How many watts is a good speaker?
200 Watts is probably enough power for you if you like loud, uncompressed music and your speakers are 90dB efficient. 50 Watts is enough if you only listen to light classical and jazz music and don’t expect it to rock the house. Horn-shaped speakers, which are very efficient, use very few Watts.
