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

On aggregated review scores the JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

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

On-Ear

Score breakdown

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

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Austrian Audio Hi-X50
JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless

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 (2024) against Austrian Audio Hi-X50 (2020). The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless 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 Wireless20244 yr newer

What differsHi-X50Epic Work ANC Wireless

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

Type: On-Ear; On-Ear
Price (USD): $250; $130
HearWiki score: 77; 78
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
Full charge time: -; 60 min
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
Water resistance: none; none
Foldable: Yes; No
Detachable cable: Yes; -
USB-C: No; Yes
Connector: 3.5 mm; -
Microphones: -; 5
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
Spec	Austrian Audio Hi-X50	JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless
Type	On-Ear	On-Ear
Price (USD)	$250	$130
HearWiki score	77 / 100 Great	78 / 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
Full charge time	-	60 min
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
Water resistance	none	none
Foldable	Yes	No
Detachable cable	Yes	-
USB-C	No	Yes
Connector	3.5 mm	-
Calls
Microphones	-	5
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

The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless is a budget-friendly on-ear headset built for long workdays, combining hybrid active noise cancellation with a clear transparency mode for staying aware. Its standout 60-hour ANC battery life, solid call quality via five mics, and multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity make it a practical choice for office or remote use. While it lacks water resistance and folding hinges, its comfort and feature-packed design earn it strong marks for the price.

Pro:Excellent battery life with ANC on
Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation
Pro:Clear microphone for calls

Con:No water resistance
Con:Not foldable for easy transport
Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs

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

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