Over-Ear
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
84Great
$149
Full review dataAustrian Audio Hi-X15 vs HiFiMAN He-R9: 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
HiFiMAN He-R9
58Average
$109
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
Sound8.5
Value9.0
HiFiMAN He-R9
Sound5.5
Battery4.0
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | Austrian Audio Hi-X15 | HiFiMAN He-R9 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $149 | $109 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 58 / 100 · Average |
| Released | 2021 | - |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 44 mm | 50 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 12Hz-24kHz | 15Hz-35kHz |
| Impedance | 25 Ω | 60 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 113 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 8 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 255 g | 328 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
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
HiFiMAN He-R9
The HiFiMAN HE-R9 is a closed-back wireless over-ear that leans heavily into bass emphasis, making it a niche pick for low-end lovers rather than a neutral all-rounder. Its Bluetooth module adds convenience with solid codec support, but the dark, sometimes piercing treble and modest battery life hold it back from broader appeal.
- Pro:Powerful, impactful bass response
- Pro:Rich and warm midrange timbre
- Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC and aptX HD codecs
- Con:Sound signature is far from neutral, not for critical listening
- Con:Treble can become harsh or piercing at times
- Con:Wireless battery life is limited to around 6 hours
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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