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Austrian Audio Hi-X50 vs Marshall Major V: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Austrian Audio Hi-X50 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 77. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Austrian Audio Hi-X50 - Great overall at around $249.

Score breakdown

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

Marshall Major V leads on 5 of 7 measures.

  • Austrian Audio Hi-X50
  • Marshall Major V
HearWiki score
77
76
Sound
8.2
7.2
Noise cancelling
-
0.0
Battery
-
10.0
Calls
-
5.8
Value
6.7
8.0
Price (USD)
$250
$160

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?

Same generation

The Marshall Major V is 4 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Marshall Major V adds Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C and Custom EQ. For 4 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

  • Hi-X502020
  • Major V20244 yr newer
What differsHi-X50Major V

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
Wireless charging
No
Yes
USB-C
No
Yes
Custom EQ
No
Yes
Companion app
No
Yes

Specifications

Hi-X50Major V
Type
On-Ear
On-Ear
Price (USD)
$250
$160
HearWiki score
77
76
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
106 dB/mW
Bluetooth
-
5.3
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC, LC3
Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
-
100 h
Full charge time
-
180 min
Quick charge
-
15 min → 15 h
Wireless charging
No
Yes
Active noise cancelling
No
No
ANC type
none
none
Transparency mode
No
No
Companion app
No
Yes
Custom EQ
No
Yes
Wear detection
No
No
Controls
none
both
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
285 g
186 g
Water resistance
none
none
Foldable
Yes
-
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
No
Yes
Connector
3.5 mm
3.5 mm
Microphones
-
1

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

Marshall Major V

The Marshall Major V is a lightweight on-ear wireless headphone that prioritizes long battery life with up to 100 hours of playback. It features Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint support, a 40mm dynamic driver, and a classic Marshall aesthetic, making it a solid choice for everyday listening without active noise cancellation.

  • Pro:Exceptional 100-hour battery life
  • Pro:Lightweight and foldable design
  • Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:No water resistance
  • Con:Single microphone for calls

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

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