Over-Ear
Audio-Technica M30x
66Good
$79
Full review dataAudio-Technica M30x 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 M30x
Sound7.0
Value7.0
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
Sound8.5
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | Audio-Technica M30x | Austrian Audio Hi-X15 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $79 | $149 |
| HearWiki score | 66 / 100 · Good | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | - | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 44 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 15Hz-22kHz | 12Hz-24kHz |
| Impedance | 47 Ω | 25 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB/mW | 99 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 113 |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 255 g |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Detachable cable | No | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
What reviewers said
Audio-Technica M30x
The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a wired, budget-friendly over-ear headphone aimed at studio use, delivering a fairly accurate and balanced sound profile that punches above its price point. Its lightweight, foldable build offers decent comfort and durability for the cost, though it lacks modern conveniences like an inline remote, detachable cable, or any form of noise isolation, making it best suited for quiet, stationary listening rather than travel or exercise.
- Pro:Accurate, neutral sound for the price
- Pro:Lightweight and foldable for portability
- Pro:Sturdy build quality for budget class
- Con:No detachable cable or inline controls
- Con:Weak passive isolation for noisy settings
- Con:Average comfort and stability for long sessions
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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