
Austrian Audio Hi-X60 vs HiFiMAN Arya: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN Arya comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. 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-X60 | HiFiMAN Arya |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $422 | $769 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Planar |
| Driver size | 44 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-28kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 25 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 110 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 320 g | 430 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Austrian Audio Hi-X60
The Austrian Hi-X60 is a wired, closed-back studio headphone that prioritizes clarity, isolation, and low distortion, making it a strong choice for monitoring. While its measured performance is impressive, the frequency response isn't perfectly neutral and may benefit from EQ, and some users might find the fit a bit snug initially. It's a solid, technically capable tool for critical listening rather than a one-size-fits-all consumer headphone.
- Pro:Very low distortion for clean playback
- Pro:Effective passive isolation from outside noise
- Pro:Comfortable padding and lightweight build
- Con:Frequency response isn't perfectly neutral, may need EQ
- Con:Some sound leakage at higher volumes
- Con:Clamp pressure can feel tight during first uses
HiFiMAN Arya
The HiFiMAN Arya is a premium planar magnetic headphone known for its exceptionally fast, detailed, and airy sound. Its bright-neutral tuning delivers a highly resolving, spacious presentation with excellent technical performance, making it a strong choice for critical listening, though it requires a good amplifier to shine. With a comfortable open-back design and a relatively affordable price for its class, it balances high-end performance with accessibility.
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and transparency
- Pro:Wide, open soundstage with precise imaging
- Pro:Fast and articulate planar driver response
- Con:Bright treble can be fatiguing for sensitive ears
- Con:Needs a powerful amp to reach full potential
- Con:Open-back leaks sound and offers little isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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