Over-Ear
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
84Great
$149
Full review dataAustrian Audio Hi-X15 vs STAX SR-X3: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Austrian Audio Hi-X15 vs STAX SR-X3, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
STAX SR-X3
Not yet scored
$150
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
STAX SR-X3
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | Austrian Audio Hi-X15 | STAX SR-X3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $149 | $150 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | Not scored |
| Released | 2021 | 1975 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | electrostatic |
| Driver size | 44 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 12Hz-24kHz | 30-25,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 25 Ω | 130000 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | - |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 113 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 255 g | 290 g |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Model code | - | SR-X Mark 3 |
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
STAX SR-X3
The STAX SR-X3 is a vintage electrostatic headphone from the mid-1970s, offering a transparent, airy, and highly accurate sound signature with minimal coloration. It demands a specialized Stax amplifier or energizer to operate, making it a niche choice for purists seeking pristine detail. Its lightweight build and open-back design deliver an expansive, natural listening experience, though its age and power requirements limit practicality for modern users.
- Pro:Extremely low distortion for a clean, uncolored sound
- Pro:Open, airy presentation with impressive detail retrieval
- Pro:Lightweight design for comfortable extended listening
- Con:Requires a dedicated Stax energizer or amp, adding cost and complexity
- Con:Very high impedance (130k ohms) makes it incompatible with standard gear
- Con:No noise isolation due to open-back design
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.