Austrian Audio Hi-X50 vs JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 79. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset - Great overall at around $130.

On-Ear

Austrian Audio Hi-X50

77Great

$250

Full review data

On-Ear

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

79Great

$130

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Austrian Audio Hi-X50
JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

HearWiki score

Sound

8.2

7.4

Noise cancelling

6.5

Battery

9.2

Calls

8.0

Value

6.7

8.0

Price (USD)

$250

$130

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Half a step newer

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset (2024) against Austrian Audio Hi-X50 (2020). The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode and Custom EQ.

Hi-X502020
Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset20244 yr newer

What differsHi-X50Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

ANC type: None; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes

Specifications

Hi-X50Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

Type: On-Ear; On-Ear
Price (USD): $250; $130
HearWiki score: 77; 79
Released: 2020; 2024
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 44 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 44 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: -; 1
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 28 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 25 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 118 dB/mW; 94 dB/mW
Bluetooth: -; 5.3
Codecs: -; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Latency: -; 50 ms
Wireless range: -; 9 m
Battery life: -; 90 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 60 h
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 6 h
Wireless charging: No; -
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; hybrid
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: none; buttons
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 285 g; 128 g
Case weight: -; 80 g
Water resistance: none; none
Foldable: Yes; -
Detachable cable: Yes; No
USB-C: No; Yes
Pad material: -; leather
Connector: 3.5 mm; USB-C
Microphones: -; 5
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Mic sensitivity: -; -38 dBV
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; 2-mic ENC

Specification comparison of Austrian Audio Hi-X50 vs JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset
Spec	Austrian Audio Hi-X50	JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset
Type	On-Ear	On-Ear
Price (USD)	$250	$130
HearWiki score	77 / 100 Great	79 / 100 Great
Released	2020	2024
Audio
Driver	44 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	44 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	-	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 28 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	25 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	118 dB/mW	94 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	-	5.3
Codecs	-	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Latency	-	50 ms
Wireless range	-	9 m
Battery
Battery life	-	90 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	60 h
Quick charge	-	10 min → 6 h
Wireless charging	No	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	hybrid
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	No	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	none	buttons
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	285 g	128 g
Case weight	-	80 g
Water resistance	none	none
Foldable	Yes	-
Detachable cable	Yes	No
USB-C	No	Yes
Pad material	-	leather
Connector	3.5 mm	USB-C
Calls
Microphones	-	5
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Mic sensitivity	-	-38 dBV
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	2-mic ENC

What reviewers said

Austrian Audio Hi-X50

The Austrian Audio Hi-X50 is a closed-back, on-ear studio headphone built for straightforward, no-frills monitoring. It pairs a high-sensitivity 44mm dynamic driver with a low 25-ohm impedance, making it easy to drive from a wide range of devices. Its solid, foldable construction and detachable cable make it a practical choice for professionals and home listeners alike.

Pro:Excellent, detailed sound for studio monitoring
Pro:Solid, well-built construction with a foldable design
Pro:High sensitivity and low impedance are easy to drive

Con:On-ear design may not suit all listeners for long sessions
Con:No wireless, ANC, or app support, limiting modern convenience
Con:Lacks inline controls or a USB-C connection for digital audio

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset is a lightweight, versatile option designed for office and remote work, featuring hybrid active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, and multipoint connectivity. It offers impressive battery endurance, clear call quality with multiple microphones, and a simple button-based control scheme, all wrapped in a comfortable, portable design.

Pro:Exceptional battery life, even with ANC enabled
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long work sessions
Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces moderate ambient noise

Con:Occasional Bluetooth connectivity quirks reported
Con:No water resistance rating
Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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