The Austrian Audio company was founded in 2017 and introduced its high-quality Hi-X50 on-ear headphones in 2020. With their newly developed 44mm drivers, these headphones are designed to provide a wide frequency response and minimise resonance thanks to their high rigidity. In addition, the headphones feature a ring magnet system, which is designed to deliver a more accurate impulse response. Incidentally, Austrian Audio's headphones are not only developed in Austria but also manufactured there from start to finish.
Both the headband padding and the earpads of the Hi-X50 are made from soft, slow-retention memory foam, which guarantees a good fit despite the compact size of the ear cups, as well as a high level of wearing comfort even during long sessions. According to the manufacturer, the headphones' insulation remains unaffected, which makes them suitable for mixing, mastering, and recording, especially since they are one of the louder models with a resistance of just 25 ohms and a sensitivity of 118dB SPL/V. This 25-ohm model is also suitable for use with laptops and smartphones.
The Austrian Audio Hi-X50 headphones are ideal both for studio use and for modern laptop producers thanks to their sturdy, foldable, and compact design that also includes a metal headband bow and hinges. Anyone keen on simply listening to music in high quality is sure to enjoy this model as well, especially while travelling on public transport, where the high level of insulation provided by the interchangeable memory foam ear cushions will prove very beneficial. A particularly useful feature is the detachable three-metre cable, which locks to prevent accidental unplugging.
The Viennese manufacturer Austrian Audio was founded in 2017 by 22 former senior AKG employees, including engineers and managers - as the traditional Austrian manufacturer was closing its offices and factories in Vienna. The first product releases from Austrian Audio immediately put them on the map, confirming their pedigree. The company's product range, which so far consists of headphones and microphones, is characterised by elegant design and smart concepts with a modern twist. In addition, all products are manufactured in Austria, as during the golden age of AKG. It will be interesting to see what Austrian Audio will come up with next.
The Hi-X50 excels both in mixing and mastering applications as well as in the tracking room and stands out thanks to its classic looks. Despite their closed-back, on-ear design, these headphones provide a high level of wearing comfort while remaining compact and portable at the same time, and their fair price/performance ratio, high manufacturing quality (made in Austria), technical specifications, and high-quality sound make them suitable even for professional audio engineers. An over-ear version - the Hi-X55 - is also available for users who prefer something different to the on-ear design, but it is a good idea to carry out a listening test before choosing.