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Audeze Sine vs Austrian Audio Hi-X50: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Audeze Sine vs Austrian Audio Hi-X50, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Austrian Audio Hi-X50 leads on 4 of 4 measures.

  • Audeze Sine
  • Austrian Audio Hi-X50
HearWiki score
-
77
Sound
-
8.2
Value
-
6.7
Price (USD)
$450
$250

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Austrian Audio Hi-X50 is 4 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 4 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

  • Sine2016
  • Hi-X5020204 yr newer

Specifications

SineHi-X50
Type
On-Ear
On-Ear
Price (USD)
$450
$250
HearWiki score
Not scored
77
Released
2016
2020
Availability
Discontinued
Still sold new
Driver
planar magnetic
44 mm dynamic
Driver type
planar
dynamic
Driver size
-
44 mm
Frequency response
-
5 Hz - 28 kHz
Impedance
18 Ω
25 Ω
Sensitivity
97 dB/mW
118 dB/mW
Multipoint pairing
-
No
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
-
No
ANC type
-
none
Transparency mode
-
No
Companion app
-
No
Custom EQ
-
No
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
none
Weight
320 g
285 g
Water resistance
-
none
Foldable
-
Yes
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
-
No
Connector
-
3.5 mm

What reviewers said

Audeze Sine

The Audeze Sine is a compact, closed-back on-ear headphone that uses planar magnetic drivers to deliver detailed, accurate sound in a portable, fold-flat design. It's wired-only, lacks noise cancellation, and is aimed at both music listeners and content creators, with an optional special cable for enhanced mobile compatibility. Its low impedance and high sensitivity make it easy to drive from most devices, though its on-ear fit and lack of ANC may not suit everyone.

  • Pro:Detailed, accurate planar magnetic sound
  • Pro:Compact and fold-flat for portability
  • Pro:Easy to drive with low impedance and high sensitivity
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Wired-only connection
  • Con:On-ear design may be less comfortable for long sessions

Austrian Audio Hi-X50

The Austrian Audio Hi-X50 is a closed-back, on-ear studio headphone built for straightforward, no-frills monitoring. It pairs a high-sensitivity 44mm dynamic driver with a low 25-ohm impedance, making it easy to drive from a wide range of devices. Its solid, foldable construction and detachable cable make it a practical choice for professionals and home listeners alike.

  • Pro:Excellent, detailed sound for studio monitoring
  • Pro:Solid, well-built construction with a foldable design
  • Pro:High sensitivity and low impedance are easy to drive
  • Con:On-ear design may not suit all listeners for long sessions
  • Con:No wireless, ANC, or app support, limiting modern convenience
  • Con:Lacks inline controls or a USB-C connection for digital audio

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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