This is my review of the Austrian Audio Hi-X65. How does it stack up as a studio headphone?
🔥GREAT gear combos I recommend🔥 Linked below 👇👇👇
AKG K361 (every studio needs this): amzn.to/3C46uET
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///Tube stack
HD6XX: massdrop.7eer.net/P0rx96
Tube Amp: bit.ly/3mX5nSQ
DAC: amzn.to/3t8YleE
///True Wireless👇
1MoreComfoBuds Pro: onemore.pxf.io/BX2y9J
///Planar Hybrid
LCD2-Classic: amzn.to/3zH6NEm
Hybrid Tube AMP: amzn.to/2YlDhX7
DAC: bit.ly/38xMhKu
///Master Control (max soundstage with tuning control)
HD800S: amzn.to/3kGMbG8
Analog Balanced EQ: www.schiit.com/products/lokius
Balanced AMP: bit.ly/3n25Inn
Warm detailed DAC: bit.ly/3DDEJ7k
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I'm really hyped for your Sundara and HD800S review because you've been talking about those for like months now!
$1400 is too much money for the HD 800 S. Sennheiser should introduce the HD 750 which should have a similar sound but be cheaper by about $600.
DMS does not own the HD800s, he only owns "cheap" headphones and amps.
@@mehdineggaoui2263 This is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard.
But it's true... His collection is quite poor. He uses 350 euros amps some 400 euros max headphones. Ask him to show his headphone collection on a video you will see... :)
@@mikaelandersson1288 You can get HD800S for $1k Used and HD800 for ~$800.. I still think there are far better options for the $ though.
Aww dude yes, been wanting a proper review on this can for a long time. long time fan of akg before the sell.
Own them for a couple of months now. They are comfy as hell and I kinda like the design. Combining them with my zen can or a tube amp gives them that slight warm touch. They are currently my go to for listening to jazz or complex metal. Ohh and im getting old so I dont mind the highs :D So after all a fine addition to my collection.... Ohh and Great Video keep it up, Love the style
so they are good for metal, huh?
Enlightening and nice details in your information.
So, great build, solid comfort and sound stage, good FR and technicalities. These are a hidden gem.
Just a reminder that the k361 is not listed in the description like you said in the video.
thanks!
hope these come back in stock soon,just about every website i went to have them on preorder . no date as when these will be back in stock.
I wanna see more AA reviews esp the budget x15/x25 and and see how it compares to Modern budget AKG monitors like the k361/371
I have one but still in the box, I also pre-ordered their closed-back counterpart, the new hi-x60.
Which one did you prefer? Have some x60 on the way now
I tried Hi-X55 and it was bright but really good, but i liked the Ollo S4x more , it was very not comfy though haha and i did like your review, sundara died two times on me haha !!! , so build now a must !!!
This is a stellar headphone with obvious high quality driver. Amazing when EQed. Easily beats my sundara for detail retrieval although I am a planar biased fan
Great review, appreciate your valuable tips... but I have to ask DMS, where you get that lamp? is gorgeous, relaxing.
Yes please. I NEED one of those lamps!
@DMS great vid as always, just wondering can you share your desktop's wallpaper hahaha
Still rocking my ‘650’s and Moondrop Aria..very happy 😎
@PYXB3 great deal 🤘
nice, I went with the 6xx and tri starseas
@@-aexc- NICE 😎
great combo
@@DMS3TV Between you , Zeos and Crinicle..I think I’m getting good advice and guidance. Mind you my IKKO OH10’s put everything that I own to shame . 🍻
Would appreciate if you include weight when talking about builds in future. It really helps because I am sensitive to anything around 400g - 450g.
Still awaiting that "dark headphone" that you dug teased in the Harmonicdyne Poseidon video :)
I bought these to see if they are a good "sidegrade" option for Sundara 2020. First i wasn't that impressed but i could hear how there's more dynamics to the sound in comparison. Soundstage width seemed about the same. Then i used Oratory parametric eq settings from AutoEq website (he recently recalculated all parametric settings with much better algorithm) and i searched couple of remaining resonances with sine generator and cut those to even level with rest of the frequency range. These are straight up upgrade when it comes down to technical capabilities. Dynamics and imaging are miles ahead of Sundara! I didn't realize how Sundara pushed stuff far too wide without having the soundstage to playback all of those steps clearly. For example now i can hear how horn can be 10% more left than a backing vocal and they don't "blur" each other. Also reverb and delay tails are much more easier to hear with Hi-X65 and there's still more punch! If it's not clear already i HIGHLY RECOMMEND to test drive these if you are willing to use an eq and do a little adjusting by yourself 😄
Helpful, thanks!
I tried telling everyone but not many people listen. This headphone is a gem and I'd easily take it over the og Focal Clear. After eq, the HI-X65 is a beast
Just purchased/ received the HIX65, This 100% brings up more detail than the Sundara as well as more clarity. Love the sound signature of the Sundara however this hands down has more resolution in my opinion. In saying this I am just using a ifi zen dac v2. Using 4.4mm balanced for the Sundara. If I upgrade my dac/ amp set up will I get considerably more resolution out of the Sundara ?
The HI-X65 has detail/resolution on par with the Focal Clear, maybe even more.... With eq, the HI-X65 goes from a good headphone to potential endgame and you really see what the HI-X65 is capable of. The Sundara may have a slightly larger stage but I find the HI-X65 to have much better dynamics, more precise and pinpoint imaging, much better detail and clarity, better extension and impact in the lows, better texturing in guitars and vocals and overall better extension in the treble with superior detail. Again, the detail is in the realms of the Focal Clear, LCD-X 2021, Arya and HD800s. It's with the big dogs and many others agree that the detail and resolution of the HI-X65 is high up there. So the HI-X65 is technically capable of crazy stuff, but EQ really brings the strength of them to life. Insane dynamics I tell ya, some of the best I've heard 😁. With the Sundara, maybe a better dac/amp could improve them, but not by much. Better off upgrading to a Ananda/XS/Arya. With the HI-X65, upgrading to a Focal Clear will only get you better build and maybe comfort, not really an improvement in SQ unless you don't want to eq. A EQd HI-X65 Vs Focal Clear, you'd see how close they really are to the point I actually sold my Focal Clear and bought myself some new gear with the money. You got an amazing headphone with the HI-X65 and highly suggest you try EQ with it 😊
@@S.G54321 how does the hi-x65 compares with the stax l-300? They seem very similar
Would love to see you review the TA-26 in the back ground
If you were to keep only one headphone between the HarmonicDyne Zeus and the Hifiman Sundara, which one would you keep?
Nice that reviewers are begin to notice them. In general this was a good review but more geared to the pro audio side. Hopefully there will be more audiophile takes soon. I do disagree with some subjective takes, though: 1) it is very punchy in the bass 2) imaging is not 3 blob 3) Sundara is not more detailed These are the most detailed, the punchiest and "most flat in the sub-bass" open back headphones under 1000 EUR and are retailing for 349 EUR which is amazing. Why would I take Sundara over this? Build, comfort and QC are laughable comparing to X65. 560S are comfortable, but are technically below Sundara. As Focal Elex is prohibitively expensive in Europe, only comparable to this would be the Elear which is 1000 EUR. And don't get me started on Focal QC and customer support. Maybe LCD-2 Classic but those are planar and about 850 EUR. Worth the blind!
What would be your go to headphones in the $400-$550 price range for competitive gaming?
@@notblazedfordays9536 I think X65 would be a great choice.
@@CptMark thank you! I went ahead and pulled the trigger on them. Today was my 2nd day using them and they’re definitely fantastic!
Most detailed under 1000???
Agree. There is punchy bass. Imaging is superb ! I had Sundara twice and H65 are better headphones with better warm and coloured sound. Instruments are have great clarity, separation and layering. I'm impressed by how good they are. In dynamic driver category they beat easily TH-610, D5200 and ZMF Atticus & Eikon which I had.
love seeing dms uploading consistently 😊
Been waiting for some more reviews of these. Do you think these would make for good normal listening headphones?
They're open back, so perhaps not in public places unless you're a jerk.
The train in the background with a nice touch DROP HIFIMAN HE-X4 should be reviewed next and then a DROP HIFIMAN HE-X4 vs the Drop + HIFIMAN HE4XX
People might hate on me for asking this questions, but I would primarily be buying these for competitive gaming with listening to music on my PC being 2nd most important to gaming, and I was wondering if you think these would be better for gaming than the dt 1990 pro's? I have 2 weeks left to return the DT 1990s and I just don't know if the they're for me with the fatiguingly high treble with their sound signature. So do you think that I would be better off hearing and pinpointing enemy footsteps and other audio cues with the Hi-X65s or the 1990 Pros? Or would you recommend another set of headphones in the $400-$550 price range mainly for competitive gaming? Thanks for the video! Have a wonderful day!
I bought these and they have been amazing, mostly play bf1 and bf4 and just no complaints
@@SPENCER1SHOT I ended up getting them and definitely like them better than the dt900 pro x and dt 1990 pros for sure! Thanks for replying!
Yes, you said the right thing.
What do you think about Oluv's review of Austrian Audio Hi-X15? Edit: Please do a review of Soundcore Q30s/Q35s. Oluv's praised the Q30s (EQd) very well. Thanks!
Who’s oluv
@@focusmusic2016 a sound engineer who reviews headphones on yt and he likes the harman target. you might want to watch his reviews too.
@@ryanpan8302 He hates the harmon target, he likes bloted bass and rolled off treble, he would EQ a free airline headphone and say it sounds better than a HD800 !
@@chefsteve8381 I thought he liked things to be balanced? oh well. guess i need to watch more of his vids.
@@ryanpan8302 watch no theme reviews for a better understanding of audio.
super as always! Why no mention of the 1990s? No love?
different use case mostly 😄
@@DMS3TV ah, fair enough
@@DMS3TV Don't both of them are for mixing?
How would you compare it to the K702?
Please do a review of the Sony Cd900st .
For mixing film music, would you advise these, DT1990 Pro or ATH-R70X?
Any plans to review the VZR model one?
Will you review some mainstream Bluetooth headphones?
Can you please come up with a test to quantify clamp force? High/low is just not useful. Something that measures force at various head widths.
From the sound quality perspective I don't use anything with impedance lower than 150 ohms! More current leads to higher distorsion, more voltage leads to cleaner sound.
M50x is a fashion studio headphone
Do you prefer the sundara to mix on them over the hi-65 ????
These or the Focal clear ogs? Completely different price range but what would everyones opinion be?
how is the xduoo ta-26? is it a darkvoice upgrade?
Hey DMS, will you be looking at the Dt 700 pro x?
He will. Look at his community tab.
Man that left hand never stops moving haha.
can you review the Audio Technica r70x and is it a good buy in 2023
Your videos are getting wider by the week. I thought I had scrolled down by accident.
Hi DMS, can you review Venture electronics VE SUN, these are the upgrade from the VE ZEN that you like
Could you please share that neon Tokyo background with us? Looks dope.
Looks like an animation of the album cover for atarashi hi no tanjo by 2814
@@max-if7wk it is, I wonder if it’s the nft that they released for BOAD
Yooooo. What’s that light stick in the background?
Thanks for the review! How do you think these would compare to DT 1990?
Pretty sure the 1990s are still better. Also you can get 1990s for like $350 on the aftermarket nowadays.
@@inzaniatelcontar4600 I'm wondering what you're basing your assumption on?
I personally prefer the Austrian Audio HI-X65 over the Focal Clear. With eq the driver technicalities are extremely good. I do agree with DMS about the dip in the FR. But I find imaging, clarity and detail to be on par with the Focal Clear, especially after eq. A few others have agreed a few others haven't. Sound is subjective but I personally do like these more over the DT-1990 Pro, Sundara, Elex/Clear and Audeze LCD-X 2021.
Disagree. I use them to mix with and they are great. NO headphones are completely flat, which is why I pair them with Sonarworks or use and EQ. Where these shine is in their detail, fast response and soundstage (not too wide, not too narrow). Not fussed about the EQ curve on them as this is an easy fix. Thanks for the video! Always interesting.!
I love sonarworks. Great software! The new version SoundID reference is great.
Excellent, excellent review! So if you don't need the throwable build quality and can deal with some more ohms the 560s pretty much beats this. But that might be a decent enough compromise for some.
Hd560s? Why???
@@cinnamon8806 Any reason for the outburst? What's wrong with the 560s?
You said the hd560s are better than the x65s...why? Plese explain thst question..
@@cinnamon8806 DMS alluded to it in the video. For the purpose of mixing or mastering (which is what Austrian Audio says it's meant for) the HD560s is the better headphone due to actually having a linear frequency response.
Well...the 560 can be compared to the Shure 1840, as I understand it, they are the reference in linear sound, have you heard it?
What headphones u would recommend for mixing under 500$
DMS please review Sony MDR-1AM2
Do Austrian Audio have anything to do with (former) Austria based AKG?
According to the About Us on their website, they are indeed the former Austria-based AKG.
No mention of DT 1990?
Wish they made one with balanced connections
This guy doesn’t sleep
Is it good for ASMR Recording Use ?? .... Million thanks 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I would say so, though for that I might recommend the new Beyerdynamic DT700 ProX Closed back with better isolation and ideal for recording/monitoring.
Completely irrelevant but can we expect a review or opinion on xDuoo TA-26? I'm seeing it on your table for a while now.
After hearing the x55 I folded a towel around my ears before testing these, but they were actually fine. Over-priced in my opinion, but an okay product. Low end a bit weak, high end mostly nice and sparkly, but can be bright especially with metal or other busy music. These didn't wow me in any aspect, but not much to complain about either. Hi-x75 or something would definitely be worth checking out if they'll release a new model.
Well, what headphones do you usually like?
@@ish_vids All kinds from K 240 to LCD-5. I have about 20 headphones and have tested close to a hundred by now. It would be a shorter list so say which I don't like. With EQ these might actually be pretty good, but as is I'd still prefer HD600 for example.
@@hartyewh1 I prefer this to the HD6XX I feel those always sounded a bit veiled asides from absolutey obliterating my head with the clamp force but overall I'm an iem guy so I only got these for monitoring moosic and pc use
@@ish_vids Yeah, 6XX needs more EQ than 600. Neuman NDH30 is in the same vein, but far better than the X65, which is also fine, but not worth the price imo at least without EQ. Maybe the EQ especially well and great, but I didn't do that back when I tested these.
How's the nothing ear 1 re take going Mr. DMS?
Planning to film it soon, just been super busy
Lcd x review pls
Sorry for noticing this but are they crooked on your head 😧🤔 you can notice the head band one side is flat the other side is open
I need to become a REVIEWER... ...I LEGIT need to, just in order to get my hands on the X65... It's otherwise seemingly impossible to get my hands on. :-/
There is an agenda here: DMS (Douglas) is Harman sponsored. AKG is now Harman owned. Austrian Audio is not Harman sponsored and is comprised of former AKG employees; the very same former employees that created all the headphones that made AKG's reputation. Harman hates them because they have no one to replace them with the same level of knowledge. Do your research if you really care. Then research what Harman has achieved since they laid them off... and make up your own mind. Go to rtings and put the AKG K712 next to he new K371 and see how they compare. 😂
How on earth am I Harman sponsored??? That's a bold accusation to make. I've made it very clear that the Harman target should NOT be the standard.
Especially look at the soundstaging on the AKG371 compared to the K712. 4.8 for the 371 versus 7.9 for the K712. Look into this please before you buy. The the true AKG is not Harman anymore now, it is Austrian Audio. Buy from them.
@@DMS3TVit's a bit late here now (am in the UK), but I will get back tomorrow on this. Usually people agree with reviewers, but when I look at the comments I see quite convincing defenses of the Hi-X65 and that is kind of an unusual reaction for a you tube review. I know the driver and the headphone and have done scientific tests for neuscience articles with it so am happy to continue this argument.
@@saschamilenkovic4320 there's no argument to be had. I gave it a positive-leaning but mostly middling review. It's decent but not exceptional. Lots of people say they love "beats" too and the common denominator is that they've usually not experienced anything better. What I want to know is why you're accusing me of being paid by Harman when I've dedicated the last 8 years of my life to measuring and reviewing headphones, and especially the most harman-compliant headphone on the planet is one of my lowest rated.
@DMS3TV I respect your dedication and am not calling it into question, I don't know about all the work you have done and would not dare to include all of it in the comments I previously made. OK, I won't say you are Harman sponsored and that statement was a bit strong, I can't prove that and proving it is not on my agenda. My concern was about the good work Austrian Audio have done. So if you say the Hi-X65 is middle of the road and nothing exceptional, what in the same class is exceptional? (Better not be a Sundara, LCD-1 or DT1990). My concern is not to attack you and your work personally at all. Just want to know what this judgement is based on. And for the record: I am not an Austrian Audio employee, have never received any free goods or payments from them or praised their products in any public outlet. I have used their headphones and this is solely what my response is based on.
361 vs DT770 250 ohm?
Made in Austria ❤❤❤
Austrian Audio's flagship headphone - not good enough for mixing?
Their flagship “composer” is pretty solid. That said Austrian audio doesn’t make anything competitive these days (even for mixing). The X65 and composer are their only decent offerings.
What does DMS stand for?
His first name is Douglas I believe as the Abyss team calls him.
After owning both the Hd560s and the Austrian Audio HI-X 65 for a long time, im now convinced you have absolutely no clue on headphones, the 560s is a sibilant mess with no where near the detail and resolution of the hi-65, I've never hated a headphone as much as the 560s, Thank god for the HD600...
Ikr! He's just a salesman..x65 is a god tier headphone
7:26 uh disagree, these headphones do not like to get beaten around, the head piece joint part is made of thin plastic. they're fine otherwise
lol u have logitech g502 KD/A edition. Respect
How is it possible for you to conclude to not mix with these? There are a ton of reviews with the conclusion that these headphones are the bomb diggy for mixing. I ordered one and we will see who is right.
Mostly just due to inaccuracies. You can mix on anything, but it’s heavily advised to use something more accurate.
@@DMS3TV Hey thx for responding. I get that the dip is audible, and it might mean it could affect the end result. I just think it was a bit resolute, knowing in fact that there are a lot of reviews by engineers, that are blown away by the quality of the sound. Be it a bit “bright” to some. But we will see how i like it personally. Thx for taking the time👊🏽.
@@3duder keep in mind many engineers are also blown away by the sound of M50X haha. The x65 is still a good headphone. I keep one on the headphone wall close by.
How did you like them ?
@@thierryfaquet7405 To be honest. I think they are really not for regular listeners. Besides sitting in the studio, i do use them as phones for spotify cause I’m nerdy like that 🤓. I love them, i think the review and many reviews are right that there is something missing in the signal, but for me, it is fine. Just make sure you don’t mix only on headphones. Switch between different speakers and headphones and it will be ok.
What does bright mean?
higher frequency sounds/treble is louder than the rest
This is not a rewiev, this is first impression. No real comparation, 0 useful information. NTR made much better work in rewieving this headphones.
350 for this sounds too much compared to something like a monolith 1060c.
You talk a lot about the Sundara, but you never reviewd them. Why ?
just not enough time in the week. I'll review my pair at some point.
6:38 People mix binaural recordings on speakers? 😳 Isn't the whole point of binaural audio to listen through headphones for the binaural effect?
I love your reviews, always have and always will. But why have you switched to the 1.85:1 ratio for video? 99,9% of people watching on KZhead have a 16:9 ration screen, yet you only use two-thirds of it in your videos. Now we have a big black space both above and underneath your videos. Come on... why? I assume that your reviews won't be shown in cinemas? Please give us back the full 16:9 screen so we get to use every pixel of our beautiful screens.
According to my demographics/analytics, almost 80% of viewers watch on this aspect ratio. Either on phones or high-end computer monitors. 16:9 is a small minority.
I could be wrong but the overall description makes this sound like they're targeting the old Sony mdr7506 niche.
I don't understand in which universe the Sundara is more detailed than X65. Perhaps you have affiliations? X65 is a straight up superior headphone.
It’s a plastic dynamic vs a sub-micron planar… the Sundara is objectively better.
Why is the video letter boxed so aggressively ur head is literally being cut off in the top
It's an old video, but that's the resolution it's shot in. If it's letterboxing then I assume youre not using a widescreen display.
Still better than peadick and gl2000.
Poor akg
Ha ha. WTF would TEC Awards people know....
yay 4th comment
one of the worst HP under the sun. better go and sell vacuum cleaners, you have no idea from headphones
Oluv exposed these headphones
That knob only dislikes Austrian audio because they knocked him back on a job application....
what does it take to satisfy you
Lmao
min 6.9 inch
Dynamic drivers? I pass
Are you part of the planar gang?
@@wyw201 YES! Hifiman branch to be specific
Please stop using this aspect ratio. It's a plague on youtube nowadays and it only looks good for the few people that have some ultrawide monitor and looks even worse when not fullscreen.
Wdym it looks worse when not fullscreen? It looks fine to me, just with black bars on top and bottom.
@@amsyarzero There are no black bars, it just looks like the video is cut off (and it is) and it uses way less space than it would otherwise.
Most viewers watch on widescreen monitors or phones... this aspect ration fits their screens. Plus I like anamorphic lenses, I would have to cut off the sides to make it 16:9...
Noob headphone, not interesting.
Hello DMS. Why did you take off your glasses to take the picture? Also why do you have such a poor haircut?
Well, nothing can be worse than the Hi-X55's! Absolutely horrible. A headphone that actually introduces sibilance, not native to the song. They lasted 10 mins for me, sold them and bought OLLO SX4s...