Over-Ear
Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT
68Good
$149
Full review dataAudio-Technica ATH-AR5BT 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.
Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT
Sound6.5
Battery8.0
Calls5.5
Value7.0
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
Sound8.5
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT | Austrian Audio Hi-X15 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $149 | $149 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 45mm dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 45 mm | 44 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-40kHz | 12Hz-24kHz |
| Impedance | 39 Ω | 25 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 99 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 113 |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 4.1 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 4.1 | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 30 h | - |
| Full charge time | 300 min | - |
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 242 g | 255 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | - |
What reviewers said
Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT
The Audio-Technica ATH-AR5BT is a wireless over-ear headphone that prioritizes long battery life and a clear, spacious sound. It offers a balanced tuning with slightly forward upper mids for enhanced vocal clarity, though this can occasionally sound sharp or tiring at higher volumes. With a lightweight build, reliable wireless performance, and a detachable cable, it's a solid mid-range option for everyday listening, though it lacks noise cancellation and multipoint connectivity.
- Pro:Excellent battery life of up to 30 hours
- Pro:Clear and spacious soundstage with good detail
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended use
- Con:Upper mids can sound harsh or tiring at high volumes
- Con:No active noise cancellation or multipoint support
- Con:Vocal reproduction can come across as slightly cold
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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