With its Hi-X60, Austrian Audio has added a closed-back studio headphone model to its popular Hi-X6 series. The over-ear design and closed-back isolation of these headphones effectively shuts out external noise and also prevents sound from escaping out into the recording environment, making them ideal for use in loud environments and in the studio. Austrian Audio's newly developed and proprietary driver technology also delivers a particularly high-precision sound and a very low THD even when the headphones are being used at high volume. It also goes without saying that these headphones boast the excellent build quality for which Austrian Audio is well known, which will ensure a long operating life even under extremely rough conditions.
The closed-back Hi-X60 delivers a wide frequency response (5Hz to 28kHz according to the manufacturer) and a balanced, detail-rich sound with a high level of transparency. The bass response is pleasantly understated, particularly at the extreme low end of the spectrum, which users listening to music with a lot of bass will doubtless appreciate. Austrian Audio's 44mm High Excursion drivers feature a ring magnet system that creates a powerful magnetic field, while a copper-clad aluminium voice coil reduces the moving mass to a minimum. This allows the membrane to move and change direction faster, which provides a more responsive impulse reaction, and the Hi-X60's stereo imaging and sound depth thoroughly uphold Austrian Audio's reputation.
In addition to their high-quality sound and highly effective passive isolation, users will doubtless also appreciate the Hi-X60 headphones' ease of use. The headband features a ratcheted adjustment facility to ensure a secure fit, while the memory foam ear cushions and headband padding promise a high level of comfort. What is more, the Hi-X60's hinged construction also allows it to be folded to a size that will easily fit into a bag or rucksack. All of these features make the Hi-X60 a reliable companion for professional audio engineers as well as a good choice for discerning users looking for a headset for listening to music - the latter group will also appreciate the headphones' low impedance, which at just 25 ohms allows a respectable level of volume to be achieved without needing a powerful headphone amp.
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.
As mentioned above, the Hi-X60's closed-back isolation minimises both sound leakage and the ingress of outside noise, which makes them the ideal headphones for demanding monitoring applications in the live recording environment as well as for FOH engineers and for musicians and vocalists in the studio. Its effective isolation prevents the headphone sound interfering with the microphone capture and eliminates potential hearing damage caused by excessive monitor volume levels. The Hi-X60 is also a good choice for sound engineers working on film sets, where the headphones' high level of wearing comfort will reliably prevent compressive strain and the onset of fatigue even during a long day of shooting.