Over-Ear
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
84Great
$150
Full review dataAustrian Audio Hi-X15 vs Sennheiser HD 424: 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
Sennheiser HD 424
62Average
$110
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
Sennheiser HD 424
Sound6.5
Value5.5
Specifications
| Spec | Austrian Audio Hi-X15 | Sennheiser HD 424 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $150 | $110 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 62 / 100 · Average |
| Released | 2021 | 1970 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic, open |
| Driver size | 44 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 12Hz-24kHz | 16Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 25 Ω | 2000 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | - |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 113 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 255 g | 180 g |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
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
Sennheiser HD 424
This vintage open-back Sennheiser stands out among its era peers, offering a notably wider and more immersive soundstage with improved low-end detail. However, its extremely high impedance demands substantial power, making it best suited for dedicated headphone amplifiers rather than portable devices, though it can manage at lower volumes on weaker sources. It's a compelling choice for those seeking a classic, spacious sound signature and willing to invest in proper amplification.
- Pro:Spacious, open soundstage
- Pro:Better deep-bass resolution than earlier models
- Pro:Lightweight at 180g
- Con:Very high impedance (2000 ohms) needs powerful amp for loud listening
- Con:No noise isolation due to open-back design
- Con:Hard to drive from portable gear at higher volumes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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