Over-Ear
AKG Y500 Wireless
72Good
$149
Full review dataAKG Y500 Wireless vs Austrian Audio Hi-X15: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Austrian Audio Hi-X15 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Austrian Audio Hi-X15 - Great overall at around $149.
Over-Ear
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
84Great
$149
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
AKG Y500 Wireless
Sound7.0
Battery8.0
Value7.0
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
Sound8.5
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | AKG Y500 Wireless | Austrian Audio Hi-X15 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $149 | $149 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2018 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 44 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 16Hz-22kHz | 12Hz-24kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 25 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 117 dB/mW | 99 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 113 |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 4.2 | - |
| Codecs | SBC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 33 h | - |
| Full charge time | 150 min | - |
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| ANC type | none | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | No | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 230 g | 255 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
What reviewers said
AKG Y500 Wireless
The AKG Y500 Wireless are lightweight on-ear headphones that prioritize long battery life and flexible connectivity, including a detachable cable for wired use. They offer a clear, detailed sound signature with a smooth presentation, though they lack active noise cancellation and advanced features like app support or multi-device pairing. While their build and design are appealing, the controls can be quirky and the fit may not suit everyone for extended sessions.
- Pro:Excellent battery life of up to 33 hours
- Pro:Compact and lightweight design for portability
- Pro:Versatile wired and wireless connection options
- Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
- Con:Limited codec support (only AAC)
- Con:Controls can be unintuitive to use
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
The Austrian Hi-X15 is a wired over-ear headphone that brings studio-grade clarity and detail to a budget-friendly price point. Its lightweight, foldable build and low-impedance design make it a practical choice for on-the-go engineers, while the 44mm dynamic drivers deliver a balanced, revealing sound that suits tracking and mixing tasks. It offers impressive value for those seeking transparent monitoring without breaking the bank.
- Pro:Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Pro:Lightweight and foldable for portability
- Pro:Easy to drive with low impedance and high sensitivity
- Con:Lacks Bluetooth or multipoint connectivity
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Some technical specifications are not fully disclosed
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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