Austrian Audio was established in 2017, and since then, it has constantly launched a solid line of microphones and headphones. The most recent additions are its Hi-X65 Professional Open-Back Over-Ear Headphones, which were released this past July. The Hi-X65 headphones are made with both engineers and audiophiles in mind. you can buy this product from amazon or official store.
They are made to offer a clear, uncolored listening experience while being light enough to be worn for extended periods of time without becoming uncomfortable. The headphones are spot on in each of these instances. The red and black package immediately strikes out as being environmentally conscious because it is made primarily of paper and cardboard and contains only two fitting sheets of foam to protect the X65s during transit. E
ven while sustainability isn’t typically taken into consideration when buying headphones, the company’s clear incorporation of it gives you some idea of the thoughtfulness behind the product even before you open the package. In keeping with that, the Quick Start Guide notes that the Velcro ribbon used to seal the box can be cut and used as cable ties. Along with the Hi-X65s, the box also includes a fabric carrying case, a 1″ converter, and both 4′ and 9′ cables with 3.5 mm connectors.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review: Design
The Hi-X65 are excellently constructed headphones. The materials and colours used aren’t especially eye-catching, and the grey and black colour scheme gives them a bland, businesslike appearance, but the metal hinges and headband should make them sturdy enough to withstand any bumps and scrapes. Despite their appearance, these headphones have excellent head-conformity. With its snug, agreeable fit, the clamping force achieves the ideal balance between not being too tight or too loose.
Particularly soft cushioning on the earpads and padding on the bottom of the headband help to relieve pressure on the ears. I’ve worn these for extended periods of time without feeling particularly uncomfortable or my ears getting hot. The bow pad, which is the bottom of the headband, may be changed, which is somewhat unusual. The bow pad is fastened by a Velcro strip, which should increase the longevity of the headphones with use and improve hygiene. The headband’s gap helps with ventilation since it allows heat from the head to escape via the top of the frame. It’s a well-planned design.
The semi-permeable grille on the earcups reveals that the design also has an open-back. As usual, if you cover them, the soundstage will adjust its size correspondingly. The headphones may be transported safely in a pouch, and the Hi-X65 can be folded inward to conserve space.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review: Sound quality
We connected the Austrian Audio Hi-X65 to my Fiio M11 Plus digital audio player and turned on some TIDAL music for my sound tests. These headphones can be driven loudly from almost any source due to their 110 dB sensitivity rating, but they scale well with higher equipment. My initial listen revealed the Hi-neutral X65’s and clean demeanour right away. Instead than generating excitement, these headphones rely on the music itself to do so.
The presentation is impartial, allowing you to hear what the sound engineer intended for you to hear without any increased bass or highs. This is refreshing because it allows you to focus on their superb attention to detail and expert layering of the mix. Strings and male and female vocals were both fully developed instruments. The sound could sound a little thin, though, if you’re hoping for more punch and slam than articulation on the low end. I like how they strike a balance. While slightly tinted, the mids are smooth and in great balance with the treble and the low end, preventing the sound from being tiresome.
The spaciousness of the X65’s sound is one of my favourite features. I was very taken aback by the depth, separation, and width of the soundstage when listening to The Doors’ “Riders on the Storm.” The vocals were well-focused in the middle, and the guitar parts seemed to extend beyond the earcups. It had a speaker-like quality.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review: Comfort
It would be reasonable to anticipate that the Hi-X65 would have modest earpad openings given the size of the earcups. The Hi-X65, on the other hand, has earpads that are thin-walled, giving them wider earpad openings that guarantee there is enough room within the earcups to fit most ear sizes. In order to keep the Hi-X65 comfortable throughout extended listening sessions, Austrian Audio has taken great care. No hard edges are rubbing against my skin thanks to the cushions on top of the headband and earcups, but the earpads are sturdy enough to prevent the headphones from falling off my head too easily.
The Hi-X65 doesn’t isolate all that effectively because of its open-back design. Though not as much as most other open-back headphones, there is a fair amount of sound leakage. To prevent sound from leaking through the earpads, the earbuds are made to provide a tight seal around my ears.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review: Performance
The Hi-X65 drivers actually transfer a lot of air. Therefore, it stands to reason that they would be unpleasant punchy. Although they aren’t the most upfront sounding headphones we’ve used, the overall balance is outstanding, with tremendous depth, and the sound is undoubtedly well suited to mixing, mastering, and general listening.
Additionally, there is no indication of the dreaded bass boost, which ruins many designs. Although we thought the mid-range was a little muted, the high frequencies are crisp, smooth, and detailed, and the separation and imaging are outstanding overall. In fact, that separation is their most appealing feature in our opinion, and when we A/B-tested them against a few other designs, we discovered that they revealed a tonne of more detail.
Are they trustworthy enough to listen to critically? They function best for us at moderate levels in this role. That’s not to suggest they can’t be loud; in fact, they do rather well at loud volumes. Simply put, for me, it’s simpler to make decisions at lower levels, thus the Hi-X65 does its best to maintain accuracy and engagement at lower levels.
The Sennheiser HD600, Audeze series, and Audio Technica ATH-R70x are relatively dependable open-backed models that the Hi-X65 is priced to compete with. Although headphones can sound startlingly different from one another, frequency response charts are not particularly useful even when they are included.
Final Words
In conclusion, I thought the Austrian Audio Hi-X65 was a well-made, comfortable, and technically adept sound system. The detail is quite good for the price point, and the tuning is balanced. If you like a more neutral sound signature, you’ll probably adore these headphones.
On the other hand, you might find them to be a touch too bland if you like headphones with a little boost on the low end or a little extra sparkle up top. Additionally, I wish the Dynamics were a little clearer. Having said that, I appreciate their control, as well as the expansive soundstage and layering. Check out the Hi-X65 if you’re seeking for foldable open-back headphones that can capture the subtleties of your playlist.
