Over-Ear
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
84Great
$149
Full review dataAustrian Audio Hi-X15 vs Shure Srh440a: 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
Shure Srh440a
72Good
$99
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
Shure Srh440a
Sound7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Austrian Audio Hi-X15 | Shure Srh440a |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $149 | $99 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2021 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 44 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 12Hz-24kHz | 10Hz-22kHz |
| Impedance | 25 Ω | 40 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | 97 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 113 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 255 g | 268 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | 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
Shure Srh440a
The Shure SRH440A is a refreshed wired studio headphone that pairs a 40mm dynamic driver with a 40-ohm impedance, making it easy to drive from phones, laptops, and audio interfaces. Its tuning emphasizes present mids and controlled bass, which suits dialogue-heavy content, vocal monitoring, and general mix work. Built as a practical, closed-back tool with passive isolation and a foldable frame, it offers a neutral, no-frills option for entry-level studio use.
- Pro:Easy to drive from most devices thanks to 40-ohm impedance
- Pro:Clear, present midrange ideal for vocals and speech
- Pro:Controlled low end suitable for monitoring
- Con:Lacks wireless or ANC features
- Con:No USB-C connectivity
- Con:Sensitivity is modest, so may need more volume on quiet sources
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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