Canadian Musician - September/October 2020 | Page 20

ROAD
TEST
Austrian Audio Hi-X55 Over-Ear
Headphones
By Adam Gallant
Up for test in this issue we have the
Austrian Audio Hi-X55 over-ear,
closed-back headphones. Founded
in 2017 following AKG’s
closing of its offices in Vienna,
Austrian Audio designs and manufactures professional-tier
microphones and headphones
to an incredibly high standard. The Hi-X55s
were released in January 2020 and are the result
of very forward-thinking designs and a high
standard of quality assurance. Austrian Audio
not only manufactures and designs their own
headphones, but they also build test equipment
and provide testing services for other
leading speaker and headphone manufacturers.
Out of the Box
The Hi-X55s have a sleek matte metallic
look. The cable is straight, detachable, and built
strong. The headphones collapse and fold easily
and without fear of stressing or breaking. The
ear and strap pads are extremely comfortable
and have a notably soft memory foam that
doesn’t hold sweat or feel uncomfortable after
long sessions. These headphones also weigh
less than one might assume at just 305 g, given
their robust appearance and durability.
Admittedly, headphones are often mistreated
in our studios and the Hi-X55s were
obviously designed with daily, extended use in
mind. The metal head strap is very flexible and
anything that swivels or moves has a strong
metallic hinge or clasp. Void of any cheap components,
the build quality is top notch and
the look is simple and classic. Very impressive.
The Sound
A professional, studio-minded approach has
been taken with regards to the sound of these
headphones. The frequency spectrum feels flat
with no apparent exaggeration on the highs or
lows, and the drivers are rated down to 5 Hz and
up to 28 kHz. These headphones are great for
tweezing out issues in the mids and high-mids
in a mix in the same way a good set of studio
monitors should be. They are also great for singers
who need an accurate sense of the way their
voice feels in a room while monitoring with both
ears on. They also reject exterior noise in a very
comfortable way that does not create pressure or
excess handling noise. To sum up their sound, the
Hi-X55s are clinical, clear, and not at all exhaustive.
Comfort
I found the Hi-X55s to be remarkably comfortable
throughout my testing. The memory foam
is supple and the ear pads give ample room for
your ears while allowing the driver to sit in a
very controlled position. The headphone strap
is really well padded with an open middle that
allows air to flow freely. All the cushions and
padding are completely smooth and void of
folds or ripples, which is where tears often occur
and dirt tends to build up. The earpads are
easily replaceable and showed absolutely no
wear during our test period. Also, when worn
with glasses, these headphones do not pinch
or squeeze your frames; the cushions are soft
enough to fit snugly around them while still providing
excellent isolation from exterior sounds.
And finally, for users keen on the on-ear
style, check out the Hi-X50s, which feature the
same great built quality and driver design as
these over-ear counterparts.
Summary
The Austrian Audio Hi-X55s are built with passion,
and that was more than evident while
putting them through their paces. Austrian
Audio is clearly aiming for the modern music
professional with this product line and I think
they hit the nail on the head. If you spend a
lot of time working in headphones and need
a pair that provides transparency and translatability,
the Hi-X55s are a perfect fit. I’m looking
forward to more product releases from this
great company.
Adam Gallant has worked in all facets of digital
audio production, from music composition to location
and post audio for television and film. He
currently owns and operates The Hill Sound Studio
in Charlottetown, PE.
20 CANADIAN MUSICIAN