Over-Ear
Austrian Audio Hi-X65
82Great
$499
Full review dataAustrian Audio Hi-X65 vs Focal Bathys: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Bathys comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Focal Bathys - Outstanding overall at around $799.
Over-Ear
Focal Bathys
86Outstanding
$799
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Austrian Audio Hi-X65
Sound8.5
Value7.5
Focal Bathys
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Austrian Audio Hi-X65 | Focal Bathys |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $499 | $799 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 86 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome |
| Driver size | 44 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-28kHz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Impedance | 25 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 110 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | none | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.1 |
| Codecs | - | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 30 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Quick charge | - | 5 hours in 15 minutes |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | none | - |
| Voice assistant | none | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 310 g | 350 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 8 |
| Call noise reduction | none | - |
What reviewers said
Austrian Audio Hi-X65
The Austrian Hi-X65 is an open-back, over-ear headphone designed primarily for studio mixing and critical listening. It delivers a balanced, detailed sound with strong transient response, wrapped in a lightweight and comfortable frame. Its wired-only, non-folding design and lack of extra features emphasize a focused, professional tool approach.
- Pro:Highly detailed and balanced sound for critical listening
- Pro:Very comfortable for long studio sessions
- Pro:Solid build quality with premium materials
- Con:No wireless or Bluetooth connectivity
- Con:Not foldable, limiting portability
- Con:Lacks any built-in controls or app support
Focal Bathys
The Focal Bathys are premium wireless over-ears that blend high-fidelity audio with everyday convenience. They feature adaptive ANC, a USB-C DAC mode for hi-res wired listening, and support for aptX Adaptive, making them a top pick for sound-focused users who also want wireless flexibility. While their noise cancellation is solid but not the absolute best in class, their impressive battery life and versatile connectivity options stand out in the premium segment.
- Pro:Excellent sound quality with detailed, dynamic drivers
- Pro:USB-C DAC mode enables high-resolution wired audio
- Pro:Strong battery life, often exceeding rated figures in tests
- Con:ANC is competent but not class-leading
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Real-world wireless endurance may fall short of claims in some scenarios
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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