Austrian Audio Hi-X65 Headphones Review: Are These The Best Portable Open-Back Headphones?

TD;LR

The Austrian Audio Hi-X65 should please anyone looking for well-built open-back portable headphones with a neutral sound signature.

Intro

In 2016, pro audio mainstay AKG moved their headquarters to California, shuttering their Vienna facilities. Subsequently, a group of former AKG engineers in Austria formed Austrian Audio.

They developed their line of pro audio gear to complete with their former company, including the headphones we’re looking at today, the $429 Hi-X65 Professional Open-Back Over-Ear Headphones.

It’s the flagship of their Hi-X line of headphones, created primarily for mixing and mastering. However, a lot like AKG headphones, Austrian Audio suggests that their open and precise sound will also appeal to audiophiles doing critical listening.

Is the Hi-X65 a good bet for an open-back audiophile headphone around $500? This is a challenging segment to compete in, with many quality headphones from Hifman, Grado, amongst others, coming in around the same price. So read on, and I’ll let you know what I think!

Disclaimer: This unit was sent to us by the manufacturer in exchange for our review. No input was given or promises made regarding the content contained in this evaluation.

Specs:

• Frequency range: 5 Hz – 28 kHz
• Sensitivity: 110 dBspl/V
• THD (@ 1kHz): < 0.1%
• Impedance: 25 Ω
• Input Power: 150 mW
• 2 cables (detachable): 3 m + 1.2 m
• Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8”)
• Adapter (included): 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm (1/8” to 1/4″)
• Dimensions: 200 x 170 x 85 mm
• Weight (without cable): 310 g

Build/Features:

The Austrian Audio Hi-X65’s build quality is impressive, with a nice blend of materials, including high-quality plastics and metal. I especially like the metal yokes that hold the earcups along with the metal headband and hinges, making these headphones feel exceptionally sturdy. Yet, despite the stout construction, they also manage to be lightweight.

Not only that, the foldable design makes them immensely practical, as they can fold neatly into the included pouch. I wish there were a hard case for the price, but Austrian Audio offers one at an additional cost ($35).

As far as fit is concerned, the Hi-X65 is pretty comfortable. They have a slightly tighter clamp than I would like, but the soft memory foam earpads mitigate the force.

The matching memory foam strips on the underside of the metal headband provide proper support and decent comfort for the top of the head. In addition, the earcups sliders are easy to pull out, and they click nicely into place, making it easy to return to the position you want to use. I’ve worn them for hours without any undue discomfort.

The only issue is that the extenders don’t pull out very far. So if you have a big head, you will most likely need the complete extension to make them fit.

In the box, along with the carrying pouch mentioned above, you get two detachable single-sided cables, one 1.2m (about 4ft) cable and one 3m (about 10ft) cable. You also get a 3.5mm to 1/4” adapter to connect desktop amps or studio equipment. The cables are of excellent quality with heavy plugs, and while they could be a little more flexible, they are some of the best I’ve seen out there.

Inside the earcups is a 44 mm high-excursion (hence the Hi-X nomenclature) driver, the chief technology employed in these headphones. It’s made ultra-stiff yet light so that it can move a lot of air. This is said to provide a precise and dynamic sound. On the outside of the earcups is a substantial metal mesh for venting.

Sound

For my sound tests, I plugged the Austrian Audio Hi-X65 into my Fiio M11 Plus digital audio player and played some tunes from TIDAL. With a sensitivity rating of 110 dB, these headphones can be driven loud from just about any source, but they scale up nicely with better gear.

I immediately picked up on the Hi-X65’s neutral and clean disposition from my first listen. These headphones don’t create excitement; instead counting on the music itself to bring the excitement.

There’s no boosted bass or highs, just an evenhanded presentation that lets you hear what the sound engineer intended for you to hear. This is refreshing because it enables you to concentrate on their excellent detail along with their skillful layering of the mix. Instruments like strings were fully realized, as were male and female vocals.

However, if you’re looking for more punch and slam as opposed to articulation on the low end, you may find the sound a little thin.

I appreciate their balance. Mids, while a tad bit colored, are smooth and perfectly in line with the treble and the low end, keeping the sound from becoming fatiguing.

One of my favorite aspects of the X65’s sound is its spaciousness. Listening to “Riders on the Storm” by The Doors, I was highly impressed by the soundstage’s width plus its depth and separation. The guitar parts seemed like they reached out beyond the earcups, and the vocals were nicely focused in the center. It was very speaker-like.

On the other hand, I find the Hi-X65 dynamics’ to be a little soft, which slows the rhythm down somewhat. Kick drums could hit a little bit harder, especially on funkier tunes.

Vs. Grado Hemp

When comparing the Hi-X65 to the $469 Grado Hemp, another open-back audiophile headphone around the same price, I was reminded even more of its relatively flat tuning.

The Grado had better dynamics, with more slam and speed than the Austrian Audio headphone, and it also had a little more presence and sparkle.

Alternatively, while the Grado’s boost in the upper mids did provide some excitement initially, the forwardness also caused some fatigue after some time.

I had no such problem with the Hi-X65, as it had a more laid-back sound. Its balance allowed me to listen for long periods without taking a break. The Austrian Audio headphone was also more open and spacious than the Grado.

The Wrap Up

In short, I found the Austrian Audio Hi-X65 to be both well-built and comfortable, as well as technically capable in the sound department. The tuning is well-balanced, and the detail is quite good for the price point. You will probably love these headphones if you like a more neutral sound signature.

Conversely, if you want a headphone with some boost on the low end or a little extra sparkle up top, you may find them to be a little too flat. I also wish the Dynamics were a little more defined. That said, I like their control, along with the wide soundstage and layering.

If you’re looking for portable open-back headphones that can reveal the nuances of your playlist, you should check out the Hi-X65.

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