Over-Ear
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
84Great
$149
Full review dataAustrian Audio Hi-X15 vs HiFiMAN HE 400se Stealth: 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 400se Stealth
78Great
$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 400se Stealth
Sound7.5
Value8.5
Specifications
| Spec | Austrian Audio Hi-X15 | HiFiMAN HE 400se Stealth |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $149 | $109 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | planar |
| Driver size | 44 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 12Hz-24kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 25 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | 91 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 113 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 255 g | 390 g |
| Foldable | Yes | No |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| 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 400se Stealth
The HiFiMAN HE400se is an affordable open-back planar headphone that brings many of the brand's core technologies to a budget price. It offers a balanced, accurate sound signature with a comfortable fit, though its bass extension is limited and its midrange has a slight dip. Overall, it's a strong value for those seeking their first planar experience.
- Pro:Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Pro:Stealth Magnet design improves clarity
- Pro:Accurate and neutral sound profile
- Con:Bass rolls off below 60 Hz
- Con:Slight midrange dip around 2 kHz
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and lacks isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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