
Austrian Audio Hi-X50 vs Sennheiser HD 650: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 650 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Austrian Audio Hi-X50 | Sennheiser HD 650 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $232 | $380 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2020 | - |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 44 mm | 42 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-28kHz | 10Hz-41kHz |
| Impedance | 25 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 118 dB/mW | 99.8 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 118 | 103 |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | none | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| ANC type | none | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | No | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | none | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 285 g | 260 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | Yes | No |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Austrian Audio Hi-X50
The Austrian Hi-X50 is a closed-back, on-ear studio headphone designed for professional use, featuring a lightweight yet sturdy build and a detachable cable. With its low-impedance 44mm dynamic driver, it's easy to drive from various devices, delivering clear, detailed sound that suits monitoring tasks, though comfort may be a minor concern for some users. Overall, it's a solid, no-frills option for studio work rather than a feature-packed consumer model.
- Pro:Excellent sound clarity and detail for studio monitoring
- Pro:Rugged, professional-grade construction with a foldable design
- Pro:Low-impedance, high-sensitivity driver works well with portable gear
- Con:On-ear fit may become uncomfortable during long sessions
- Con:No wireless or Bluetooth connectivity, limiting portability
- Con:Lacks any built-in controls or app support
Sennheiser HD 650
The Sennheiser HD 650 is a wired, open-back dynamic headphone built for serious home listening. It delivers a natural, detailed sound with a comfortable fit, though its sub-bass rolloff and bulky design limit it to stationary use rather than portable or active scenarios. Its replaceable cable and balanced connection option add to its appeal for audiophiles.
- Pro:Excellent clarity and natural tonal balance
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Detachable cable and balanced output support
- Con:Noticeable sub-bass rolloff
- Con:Not portable or suitable for active use
- Con:High impedance requires a dedicated amplifier
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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