I just want to say, thank you! After X55 was released, there were some dismissive reviews and interest in Austrian Audio headphones kinda faded. Your detailed review really made me interested in the X65 model, which, at last, I manged to demo and bought. All I can say is, these are probably the best headphones under 1k EUR and a headphone model of the year.
I have to admit, this format is just PERFECT i missed these! And at last now i can get this bc open back, im so hyped to get this and *Great review!!!*
Excellent review ! I was expecting X65 to have wider stage .I think the price should be the same since its not an upgrade to x55.Austrian audio's first series proved to be great , I am excited to see their future projects .
Great review as always. Sub bass roll off like the Avantone? No problem, a slight low shelf of 2 - 3 db around 70hz will to the trick. And other than that, could be a perfect canditate instead of getting myself a Focal Clear ;)
Thank you for this review. 23:36, yep.., over here. This seems great, I have larger ears and struggle to comfortably wear my DT 1990s. But I am not sure seeing as I am someone who likes to have the equivalent of sub-woofers on my ears... It is something I will need to consider.
Because ur rewiews i got x65 and they awesome, thank you! About x65, they got good linearity but have some flows in FR, exactly is 2khz 3db dip and some little peaks at 5k 8k and 12k. They very easy eqable, not like dt880 which or sibilant or muddy at top.
@NoThemeReviews many thanks for this detailed review/comparison. After buying avantone planar, I have been saving money for AA hi-x55. then I have heard here that the review of hi-x65 is coming. I thought to myself, then i'll be getting the hi-x65 because just like you I have expected a similar, in some area better sounding headphones. now after watching your review, i am going to get the hi-x55, because it is more suitable for analytic hearing, priced better and close-back.
@@supadave422 not even a bit. the avantone planar is a great headphone. it sounds great, it's natural and neutral(90-95%) but it is not comfortable for long sessions. I myself want to get the x55 for details retrieval, comfort and I don't want to pay for focal.
Great review, thanks! In terms of comfort and build then since these aspects are the same as the X55 I can agree that comfort is outstanding and build quality excellent and with very thoughtful design that hasn't just placed fashion ahead of usability and long term ownership consideration. I love the industrial design of Austrian Audio, they have a great house style which is distinctive and different but also no nonsense and professional looking. Soundwise I couldn't agree more with your comments about preference. Some will like the sound signature and some won't but Austrian Audio seem to do what they do extremely well.
Thanks for this review. A quick question: in some of your latest reviews you started to mention the Sennheiser HD800s as the headphones you can hear the most footsteps in your reference track (Up until recently you always named the Focal Clear to be the king in this regard) . So can we expect a detailed review of those HD800s in the near future? Thanks
Well, anything can be better than DT1990, very unnatural timbre, very bad detail, instrument separation, placement, soundstage, too compressed, IEM bass (in your head type of bass). Vocals are hard to understand, I don't get the separation between bass and midbass, it's bloated and boomy. The lower mids lacks so much detail compared to HD800 for example. Yes HD800 is twice the price, but the difference is way bigger. I don't feel speed and clarity with DT1990. And DT1990 are so bad for gaming it's unreal. Even SHP9500 are miles ahead. DT1990 are just for fun and casual listening, but with a unique signature with boosted treble but actually fake detail. DT1990 should be in the same price range as DT990, not on a higher tier. It's just $250 sound, not $600.
I don't have a recommendation. If you're looking for gear advice regarding professional work, you should consult with experts on real A/V forums--not headfi, ASR, hifiguides, or YT.
Thanks for the detailed review and comparisons! I'm curious - you mention it's easy to drive, but I'm wondering if you noticed much difference going between different sources? (i.e. is there any noticeable to getting a fancy DAC/AMP stack setup for these vs. something like a simple USB dongle?) Also, I know these are open-back headphones, but how's the passive noise isolation?
No, there's no difference when switching sources of varying power output. Dacs with obvious coloration do have a minor impact. For example, the Chord Mojo does make the x65 present bass a little differently--a bit more mid-bass emphasis and less clarity. But, frankly, the differences are not significant. You're better off using EQ than relying on dacs or amps to make sonic alterations to the headphone's signature. There's little noise isolation. You'll easily hear everything around you.
How much can the bass be boosted before the driver distorts? I'm looking for an open back with punchy bass that can be boosted and nice sounstage for gaming under 400€, the dt1990 was close but i couldn't stand the treble, and this model is 100€ cheaper.
This equipment caught my interest but I was looking for a closed back ones with similar detail and the 3d effect that you mention also seems pretty intriguing after visiting the Austrian audio website it appears they launched a closed back version the Hi-X60. I would love to see your review of those.
Thanks for the review, would you say that Hi-x65 can be used for mixing that will translate well in many listening environments, or they are so different from other more neutral headphones that they won't serve this purpose?
If you're planning to keep your reviews with one or two reference tracks, I have one suggestion. If you can play piano, make a small piece of music yourself with sampled instruments ( many free samples are available for Kontakt player, or comes with free sampler like SSD5 for drums) If you can't play, download midi tracks of any song you like and use the multi track midi tracks in a free DAW like Cakewalk ( Windows) GarageBand ( Mac) Mix and master it yourself. Now use that track as your reference. Yes, it's difficult if you're new to production, but this is the only way to judge headphones with reference tracks. And only then you will understand why HD560s/ NDH20 are considered standard for mix checking. These are not audiophile grade stuff. These are tools for checking mixes.
Great job here man. These sound very interesting and you’ve done a fantastic job detailing everything from top to bottom. It’s too bad they most likely won’t receive much attention from the usual audiophile crowd on UA-cam because they’re not a ZMF, Focal, or an Audeze.
Great review, I notice these seem to have a proprietary 2.5mm bayonet connection at the headphone end, is there easy access to remove the component inside the earcup? (Thinking ahead for using better cable options without restrictions), thanks
Hello NTR. Unforturnately I had to cancel my order for the M1570. Monoprice were out of stock so I would have to wait untill estimated restock date 1st November to maybe see a shipment date, that is way to long of a wait for me since I placed an order on the 14th of August.... So I decided for a refund and I may get myself the Austrian Audio Hi-X65. So being an owner of the Avantone Planar and absolutely loving them. What should I expect technicality wise from the X-65? Do they handle eq well? I will mostly likely use eq to fix that slight sub bass roll off. I am looking for a good soundstage, doesn't have to be crazy wide but wide enough. I do want heaps of separation between vocals and instruments, I want amazing clarity and amazing detail and imaging which seems the X-65 has. Transients sounds impressive aswell. I have heard the Focal Clear and absolutely loved what I heard but they are to expensive for me. I am truly curious what are your thoughts when the Clear and X-65 are compared? Apart from tonality, how are overall technicalities between the two?
Yes, I think the x65 handles EQ pretty well--better than some popular headphones like the Sundara or DT1990. Obviously, every driver has its own limits, so as long as you're reasonable with your EQ adjustments, you can easily bump the bass a few db without significantly affecting the clarity in that region. The x65 and x55 are meant precisely for detail, separation, and clarity. These are not the typical audiophile headphones, which I find are heavy on marketing promises and light on delivery. As you suggested, the Clear and x65/x55 are very different in tonality. The Clear is much closer to balanced. As for clarity, I think you'd be splitting hairs, and depending on your music and dac, you might find one edging out the other. Overall, I think the x65/x55 has more separation and instrument placement than the Clear. Personally, I like the Clear's tonality more for casual listening--but that's to be expected considering it's designed for audiophiles.
@@NoThemeReviews Amazing this got my hopes up. I was going to eq the X-65 with Oratorys eq which follows the harmen target. But I'd do a few tweaks to make it more neutral and balanced. I was thinking a low shelf at 70hz of 3db which will only enhance the sub bass but leave mid bass. I think his eq would make the X-65 more closer to the Focal Clear tonality. If the X-65 still holds its technicalities like as you mentioned, better separation, better instrument placement and all that, it could be a winner 😁. Thank you very much, this info was great to hear
greetings NTR, I bought hi x15 after watching your review. I couldn't be happier, it was an exceptional purchase. Now I'm thinking about an upgrade in the near future and thinking about x65. The only issue x15 has[for me] is it lacks certain bass details [I think]. As an example - there's a slight thudding shotgun sound in Left4Dead2 that is missing in these cans regardless of volume that I can hear clearly with Final a4000 and through some other equipments. Even if I turn the volume up to an uncomfortable level it still can't produce that sound. So my question is how does the x65 compare to x15 in the bass department? If you could provide some useful info. about the bass response of those two it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I don't think you're getting any more bass on the x65. AA doesn't emphasize bass in their headphones, so you'll be better off going a different direction.
@@NoThemeReviews thanks mate, that isn't a deal breaker for me, I just have one more question - how much brighter x65 is compared to x15 because I find x15 pretty smooth with a hint of brightness
@@ArpanDas That's a bit hard to say. I don't think there's much difference in the top-end. The x65 does sound clearer overall, probably partly due to the larger ear cups and different padding.
Seems like it is time to sell my 1990 pro. The x-65 seems better in almost every way. The 1990 pro is just uncomfortable, and coming back to it after listening to other headphones is like getting used to knives in the ears again. I am tired of the brain burn in time needed, they just are not worth it.
this vs sennheiser amiron vs shure hsr-1840 vs m&d-mw65 vs avantone pro planar plz...... ....which one ???......or other in the price 350$-550$......THX!
They're all different. The Amiron has a significant sibilance and treble emphasis--it can bey very harsh. I don't have the 1840. The MW65 is a warm, bassy headphone. The Avantone Planar is the most neutral planar magnetic headphone I've heard.
@@NoThemeReviews oki......so.....xi-65 1684 ron to me.........planar pro is 2145.........would you take planar over xi-65 ???......and then.....couple them with what amp ???...in some price plz.....even one portable example.......THX! (1eur=5ron almost) ....actually....my goal is to obtain the neutral detailed speedy-dynamic (punchi-timming good on impulse givings like piano battery etc dunno to say the word for that) so everything in the price ofcourse (utopia costs 4000$!).....so from like 350$ to 550$ best products in the range!.......neutrol coz I knew I can do everth with eq if I want bass or trebble....... ....and for neutrality I have to look at studios (which can be "harshie") from s.280 ath 50x y.mt8 then x-65 planar etc etc may be to s.700 which comes to me at 2750.......more I dont wanna pay....... my problem is I (and any) listen to all kind of music from a mozzart simph. to latino and rock beatles queen elvis alice c. tw.sis. j.priest and ofcourse metallica (one!)......and I want the best heads in the price!....neutral detailed dynamic good on piano-battery hiting someth. (again dunno to say the gaddamm term).....
@@NoThemeReviews oki.....thx!.....but one last q...... av.planar haz 30hz-30khz (dont think is 3hz...)....so.....do you happ to know which songs or bands have lows under 30hz ???....how much low metallica sings for ex........or a.cooper.....or latino somth....ora classicalm......dunno if to take it or not coz of that........and maybe for my own curiosity!....lol......THX!
Hey NTR, I’m looking to get an entry-level set-up for ~$500. Will a UP4 power these sufficiently with the dual dac feature? Appreicate your thorough reviews, having come from videos suggesting btr5+hd560’s.
Another great review. On the topic of value it seems that your opinion is that this headphone is not good value. What is your opinion of the value when it comes to the high end such as hd-800s and Utopia?
Well…it’s hard to say if this is value. If it were the same price as the x55, I wouldn’t hesitate. But for $420, it does justify the price but one really has to be sure they want this sound signature. As I said, it’s a specialty headphone and in that regard, it does what very few can. I think that it is value…but it’s at my extreme reach. When compared to the costlier headphones…again, the performance (clarity, detail, resolution, placement) rivals that of the Clear and HD800s. The Utopia has little to offer in this comparison as that headphone is much closer to the typical sound signature and performance.
@@NoThemeReviews I agree here. It rivals the clarity and detail of the Focal Clear and HD800s. Once the HI-X65 is EQd, its a whole different story. For me, it outpeforms the Focal Clear in clarity and detail while you can also get a similar tonality. While the Focal Clear has luxurious build. That's about it that I find does better over the HI-X65. I find the HI-X65 has better imaging, better instrument and vocal separation. Better soundstage. Clarity on the same level as the Focal Clear, detail that slightly edges the Focal Clear. I find the HI-X65 to have better separation between sub and mid bass. More textural nuance and detail in the low end, mids and treble. I find dynamics to be extremely similar compared to the Clear. Obviously this is all with EQ. But such a little easy fix can make the HI-X65 from a good headphone to an endgame headphone..... Now there is the value. Considering if you are looking for pure sound quality. The HI-X65 has the Focal Clear beat. A Focal Clear here in Australia goes for $1388 - $1400. The Austrian Audio HI-X65 goes for $599 and can be had sometimes for $560 if on sale. So the HI-X65 costs less than half the price and with eq, beats the Focal Clear for sound quality... That's amazing value right there. I do love the Focal Clear for its luxurious feel, its build quality and comfort. But when it comes to sound... The HI-X65 is on a slightly different league where many headphone companies should pause, and reconsider there value. The HI-X65 is a $599 headphone that sounds like a $2000+ headphone after a little bit of eq. When you think of it like that.... Now that is mind blowing value
How is it that it has forward base, mids, and highs? Seems like it just has a couple of dips at the intermediary frequencies. Disappointing that the new company is going down the road of proprietary everything.
Who knows how these compare to the Avantone Planar's? They are great for reference/mixing, which is what I'm looking for, and at a great price but are heavy and sweaty AF! I have to take them off every 10 minutes to get some air. I can't take it anymore. They say these X65's are pretty bright tho? Had enough of that with the DT880's. Im torn.
Hello fellow audio enthusiast, I recently came across your channel (really awesome stuff btw) when looking for a decent pair of headphones for mixing and mastering (mostly metal) and wanted to get your recommendation for something in the $500 to $1000 range. I do have a pair of Adam A77H near fields but im looking for a flat headphone for late night sanity checks when mixing and mastering. I was originally looking at the dt 1990 but every review says the same thing about the highs being too harsh. I had a pair of dt 770s back in the day and felt they were too thin, maybe its cause of the wide range idk. Iv also been looking at the NDH 30’s and the Austrian Audio x65. Thoughts on those or any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I haven’t used the NDH30 but extensively used the NDH20, which is basically the same thing. I do not believe Neumann makes flat headphones, and their price point is insulting. I know some professionals who love the Neumanns, but they are not for everyone. They might be good at certain genres or use scenarios. Austrian Audio also does not make flat/neutral headphones. They are intended for critical listening and fine tuning mistakes in the mix. They can be very fun to listen to casually, but will reveal imperfections. You might want to look at a variety of options. The Rode NTH100, Avantone Planar, DT880, Blue Ella, OLLO S5X, Avantone MP1, HD600/650/6xx, Focal Listen Pro. If you’re already using Adam speakers, maybe look at their Ultrasone colab SP5. It’s an ok headphone, overpriced, but should at least replicate Adam’s house signature. I wouldn’t recommend anything from Audeze, Hifiman, or Monolith for what you’re planning. Audeze’s headphones vary year to year in regards to sound signature-something that was a point of discussion a few years ago when people became more aware of it. Audeze thinks this is charming, but people who look for consistency typically don’t appreciate that. So, you might find a review of the LCD2 a few years ago with praise for its sound, buy this year’s version and discover there’s a difference in tuning. You might not care, but it’s worth noting. Hifiman is a good company if you want planars for cheap. They’re a bad, terrible company where it comes to build quality, and QC in general. Their headphones are not designed to be universally comfortable, and swing all over the place with a huge variety of sound signatures from model to model. Not a bad thing in itself, but worth considering. Monolith has some warranty issues, their headphones are not particularly comfortable, not tuned for neutrality, and the company hasn’t done much with their headphones for years. It’s questionable whether they care at all to progress-and that’s not reassuring when you’re about to throw down several hundred dollars. If you’re using Adam’s, I’m assuming you’re not jumping onto the Harman band wagon. If that’s the case, stay far away from from anything that tries to mimic that evolving signature. I personally don’t think the Harman sound is remotely neutral-not until recording artists widely adopt it. If your goal is to find imperfections in your mix through headphones, the x65 is a very good choice. The Focal Clear and Sennheiser HD800s are also quite excellent for that purpose. If you want to check how your mix might sound on consumer gear, I’d suggest looking at NTH100, HD600 series, Focal Listen Pro, or one of Ollo’s headphones. You might have done so already, but you should ask this question on professional AV forums, well away from audiophile circles. I’m sure the pros will have a unique perspective as well.
AA have released a Xi-60 model. The news is that it is a closed version of the 65. Unfortunately info by reviewers is still not available. I am more interested how the 60 is different from the 55, in what is different since I like very much the 55 in technicalities and sound signature.
Hi, I'm curious about why you disabled the like-dislike ratio on this video. Seems like a strange choice to make for a channel that's supposed to provide unbiased and analytical reviews of audio gear. Surely your viewers should be as free to 'review' your review by liking or disliking your video as you are free to openly review the gear you buy. Not to mention Austrian Audio sent you this unit themselves, you didn't buy it (as far as I can tell), though you did actually buy the previous models. If you gave them a bad review, they would be unlikely to make a similar gesture again, so it's slightly difficult to imagine complete objectivity from you in this review. I should mention that I usually quite like your content and how strenuously you examine the gear you review, including this video. Which is why I'm slightly surprised by the lack of transparency in the ratio.
just bought them, they sound boxy and sonarworks thing did not help them to sound pleasant, everything from spotify sounded boxy with exaggerated mids. thinkink about to return them :(
Hi there… fantastic content overall ☝️ just a quick question.creative soundblaster g6 sound card is good enough to run them?? If not any recommendations?? Of course for fps gaming.
@@NoThemeReviews You don't provide a reference to explain what "natural" sounding is to you. Yet the word is used countless of times in the video. You use it as if it's a commonly understood reference, something everyone know, but in reality, I don't know what you are referring to. Natural means: existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind.
Most audiophiles know that “natural” means how a particular instrument sounds in a live venue. That’s what I mean when I use that word. It is in fact a commonly understood word among audiophiles.
@@NoThemeReviews Any instrument, even the same brand and model, even the very same instrument with the same artist, sounds completely different at different live venues and also sounds different by who's playing it. Therefore, there is no reference and thus you can't use "natural" as a reference. And what about studio recordings? You don't know how the instruments sounded like during the recording unless you were there. You have no idea what they sounded like and thus you can't make the statement that they sound "natural". It's just a phrase used by people including you, where no one has defined what it really means. It's a hollow language of phrases with no context or real meaning.
I’m not remotely inclined to play your semantics game. If you object to this type of nomenclature, then don’t watch or read any audiophile reviews. Your objectivist viewpoint would mean nobody anywhere can use any language other than precise, hyper-accurate data to discuss anything. That’s not realistic, no matter how much you disagree with us. Adherence to such strictures is unreasonable and irrational. If your position is to be taken seriously, then nobody should discuss any aspect of any gear since the person’s gender, age, experience, environment, music, preferences, mindset, and other remote factors will be different or undefinable. You can read ASR’s measurement graphs if that makes you happy, but the rest of us don’t have to follow. Sorry, but you’re not going to convince me you’re right-especially with the weak arguments you’ve made. Move on.
Hi, do you have the intention to review the Sennheiser Momentum 3? I use it every day and I’m thinking to replace my Audeze LCD-2 Closed and DT1990 because of the versatility of the Momentum 3, especially in the USB-C mode with a lot of details when I need. Thx!
I like them all for different reasons. I don't know what "musical" is supposed to mean, but I do have an idea of "analogue." None of them sound analogue. The Avantone Planar comes the closest. If you want "analogue" sound, you may want to consider the AudioQuest Nighthawk, K371, Harmonicdyne Zeus, or if you can find a pre-fazor LCD-2.
I'm quite surprised with your reviews on AA headphones, the only thing that is brought up is the fr and everything stops right there. No matter the place forums, Discord, some Yt channels, it's all about the same thing 'graph sucks, look elsewhere'... Anyway, I was wondering if you are planning on reviewing the youngest/cheaper brothers Hi-x15/25Bt (They share the same drivers and I'm looking for an alternative to the AKG K361/71). Ty in advance.
Unfortunately, there's far too much reliance on FR graphs and measurements. I'm supposed to get a chance to review the new headphones; the US release isn't planned until next month, so we'll see. It looks like I'll have a chance to interview AA's CEO soon, so that should be very enlightening.
Trying to decide if i should buy this pair for mixing and mastering work. Frequency response doesn't matter because i would tune them to same "correction curve" as i do my Sundara. Do you think i could benefit from using this pair over Sundara? Thank you in advance!
They’re very different from each other, so I don’t know if you’d “benefit” one way or another. If you’re intending to find issues with your mix, then I think the AA headphones will let you find those far easier than the Sundara.
@@NoThemeReviews Wow these are fast and still punchy😲Everything sounds so accurate. I did a test mix/master and when i checked it in car and through phone speaker it sounded dynamics wise like i thought it would 🤝 This rarely happens when you work with only headphones. I used Oratory eq from AutoEq and brought down additional peaks between 8000 and 15000 hz which i hear with every pair of headphones.
I got the Avantone Planar about four months ago, and I’ve loved listening to it. However, they broke last night and I am not sure that the vendor I purchased it from will help me repair or replace them. In either case, I’m looking for a bit of a consolation headphone to replace them while staying at about the 400ish budget level. What might you recommend as a worthwhile new direction to explore or upgrade from the Planar? It’s hard to imagine getting a better deal, but the design build of the Planar was a bit weak anyway and not suited to me for 8+ hours of listening.
Avantone should warranty that. As for an alternative in the meantime, I can’t say what is an “upgrade” as that’s fairly vague and subjective. But, if you want something different, you might want to research the Blue Ella (you can find it on Amazon and eBay for $400 new), Monolith M1570, Sendy Aiva (used), Hifiman Sundara or Deva.
@@NoThemeReviews You gave me some names I was thinking about and some new ones too. Thank you for the insight and suggestions. And yeah, Avantone just got back to me with positive info, but given the distance + shipping, it is going to be a few weeks at least 🙃 I am glad they're covering it anyway
This is a strange question, but I am 64 so listen to wide variety of music but most is from 60s and 70s. SO, will a headphone like this show up the recording standards of the day and another headphone be better for me ??. I like punchy bass but vocals are most important. I watched your review of HD Zeus and wondered about that, you commented that it " smoothed" out vocals ??? Thanks, Steve.
No I wouldn’t recommend the x65 or x55 for that type of recording. You’ll hear every imperfection, and that’ll be quite disappointing. If that’s what you want, then the AA headphones will deliver. But if you want a warm, natural sound signature, then I’d suggest looking elsewhere. Along with the Zeus, you may want to consider the Meze 99 Classic, Philips X2HR, Audioquest Nighthawk, Base Audio G12, and I’m sure many other options. I can’t narrow down a specific headphone as all of these have something difference in sound and comfort. BUT, if you want a neutral headphone, then my 2 constant suggestions are the Avantone Planar and OLLO Audio S4 or S4X. They each have certain caveats (which I have discussed in their respective reviews), however they’re quite neutral IMO.
@@NoThemeReviews thank you so much for your detailed reply, there are are many suggestions there I have not even heard of lol. Thank you again for taking the time. One last option, M1060c?????
Now I'm really interested in your take on the AKG k 702....since i believe that it is in many regards superior ... sound stage, natural mids / highs and the same or close in detail.
On the UA-cam track I hear the first around 12secs. There is some rustling earlier and its hard to tell whether footsteps are included. I can't find the track on Amazon though, unless I need to upgrade.
If you're after details and clarity, then the Austrian Audio headphones outclass nearly anything else you could use. I've used them for gaming, and found them pretty useful. But, they don't have rumbly bass, so if you want a more immersive experience in FPS, the explosions won't be as visceral as with more traditional headphones.
@@dominicdriman1319 The x55 and x65 are about the same in performance. But, the HD800s are still the most analytical I've heard. I do have the M200. It's not remotely as revealing as the AA or HD800s. IMO, the M200 is more for checking the mix to make sure there aren't obvious issues.
@@NoThemeReviews Cool! Have you counted the steps in New Light by Kazukii with the M-200? Would be interesting to know how it scores. Also how would you judge its neutrality compared to the Avantone Planar?
thanks for this review. i saw another headphone just released. wanted to see if you might do a review on these headphones-linsoul Little Dot GYFU HiFi Triple Driver Headphone. they are available on amazon
I’m done reviewing Linsoul’s headphone of the month. They’re far too costly, far too mysterious and far too hyped. I can’t keep spending money on their stuff.
Hahahahaha. You said "drivers are lazy" and you think you can lecture me about the pedantry of noise and distortion? Sweet. Keep up the great work, pal!
@@NoThemeReviews No, but it;simportant. People who watch reviews confuse these things. If you equivocate one term to another which it isn't, then you contribute to misinformation. A small detail? yes. Unimportant? No.
I'm not the one advocating "lazy drivers". Nobody's getting confused by the way I speak of noise and distortion. They're getting misled by people who keep hyping measurements, people who don't actually review gear, and those who hyper-focus on pointless nonsense. If you've got a problem with it, then go right ahead and make content that demystifies what you think is wrong, and I'll link to it. But if you're not willing to put your effort where your mouth is, stop complaining.
@@NoThemeReviews And how do you know? What is your method for determining that people who watch your video don't confuse noise and distortion? I just pointed to a mistake. I see I was too direct, so sorry about it. But maybe instead of going the way of whataboutim... IDK just take it like a man and pay attention to it in the future. Simple as that. Noise is noise, distortion is distortion - easy. I agree with the rest of the statement albeit distortion is not as simple as you may think it is. Peace
Actually, dum-dum, I have access to greater metrics than you do about any of my videos. I WOULD know. Your pointless bitching is noted. Thanks for the whining, it was real educational. You should definitely do something about those lazy drivers, though. Be a man, take up the cause against lazy drivers!
I just want to say, thank you! After X55 was released, there were some dismissive reviews and interest in Austrian Audio headphones kinda faded. Your detailed review really made me interested in the X65 model, which, at last, I manged to demo and bought. All I can say is, these are probably the best headphones under 1k EUR and a headphone model of the year.
I have to admit, this format is just PERFECT i missed these! And at last now i can get this bc open back, im so hyped to get this and *Great review!!!*
Excellent review ! I was expecting X65 to have wider stage .I think the price should be the same since its not an upgrade to x55.Austrian audio's first series proved to be great , I am excited to see their future projects .
Great review as always. Sub bass roll off like the Avantone? No problem, a slight low shelf of 2 - 3 db around 70hz will to the trick. And other than that, could be a perfect canditate instead of getting myself a Focal Clear ;)
Thank you for this review. 23:36, yep.., over here.
This seems great, I have larger ears and struggle to comfortably wear my DT 1990s.
But I am not sure seeing as I am someone who likes to have the equivalent of sub-woofers on my ears... It is something I will need to consider.
Because ur rewiews i got x65 and they awesome, thank you!
About x65, they got good linearity but have some flows in FR, exactly is 2khz 3db dip and some little peaks at 5k 8k and 12k. They very easy eqable, not like dt880 which or sibilant or muddy at top.
Comfort is great btw, much better than beyers, ideal clamp from the box and nice pads.
Didn’t sleep last night watching this review. Great job as usual. Congratulations to Austrian Audio for doing smth special in headphone market.
Not Australian!!! Austria has no Kaangooroos!
@@ludwigflatscher2057 When in Australia Thelonious Monk asked "Where the hell's all the fuc$ing kangaroos"!
@NoThemeReviews many thanks for this detailed review/comparison. After buying avantone planar, I have been saving money for AA hi-x55. then I have heard here that the review of hi-x65 is coming. I thought to myself, then i'll be getting the hi-x65 because just like you I have expected a similar, in some area better sounding headphones. now after watching your review, i am going to get the hi-x55, because it is more suitable for analytic hearing, priced better and close-back.
@@supadave422 not even a bit. the avantone planar is a great headphone. it sounds great, it's natural and neutral(90-95%) but it is not comfortable for long sessions. I myself want to get the x55 for details retrieval, comfort and I don't want to pay for focal.
Hmmm. I’m intrigued by how you describe the X65! I’m gonna check these out for sure. 👍🏾
Curious how these compare to AKG K712 Pro's, both headphones were designed by the same team but for two different companies.
Great review, thanks! In terms of comfort and build then since these aspects are the same as the X55 I can agree that comfort is outstanding and build quality excellent and with very thoughtful design that hasn't just placed fashion ahead of usability and long term ownership consideration. I love the industrial design of Austrian Audio, they have a great house style which is distinctive and different but also no nonsense and professional looking. Soundwise I couldn't agree more with your comments about preference. Some will like the sound signature and some won't but Austrian Audio seem to do what they do extremely well.
Thanks for this review. A quick question: in some of your latest reviews you started to mention the Sennheiser HD800s as the headphones you can hear the most footsteps in your reference track (Up until recently you always named the Focal Clear to be the king in this regard) . So can we expect a detailed review of those HD800s in the near future? Thanks
Yes, eventually I'll have a full review of the 800s.
Just a note to be careful with removing the pads on these, especially by hand. I ripped mine last week and they're currently being repaired :p
Yeah, you’re right. The ear pad attachment mechanism is a bit annoying
Well, anything can be better than DT1990, very unnatural timbre, very bad detail, instrument separation, placement, soundstage, too compressed, IEM bass (in your head type of bass). Vocals are hard to understand, I don't get the separation between bass and midbass, it's bloated and boomy. The lower mids lacks so much detail compared to HD800 for example. Yes HD800 is twice the price, but the difference is way bigger. I don't feel speed and clarity with DT1990. And DT1990 are so bad for gaming it's unreal. Even SHP9500 are miles ahead.
DT1990 are just for fun and casual listening, but with a unique signature with boosted treble but actually fake detail.
DT1990 should be in the same price range as DT990, not on a higher tier. It's just $250 sound, not $600.
I wonder about ATH-R70X also. For mixing film music, would you take that, DT1990 Pro, or Hi-x65?
I don't have a recommendation. If you're looking for gear advice regarding professional work, you should consult with experts on real A/V forums--not headfi, ASR, hifiguides, or YT.
I really wanted the 55 but now... Maybe I'll wait for this. . Love detail.
Would love to see a review of their brother, the HI-X60. Similar tuning, but closed back.
I’ve been a headphone geek for awhile now and I had never heard of Austrian Audio... going to check um out.
Thanks for the detailed review and comparisons! I'm curious - you mention it's easy to drive, but I'm wondering if you noticed much difference going between different sources? (i.e. is there any noticeable to getting a fancy DAC/AMP stack setup for these vs. something like a simple USB dongle?)
Also, I know these are open-back headphones, but how's the passive noise isolation?
No, there's no difference when switching sources of varying power output. Dacs with obvious coloration do have a minor impact. For example, the Chord Mojo does make the x65 present bass a little differently--a bit more mid-bass emphasis and less clarity. But, frankly, the differences are not significant. You're better off using EQ than relying on dacs or amps to make sonic alterations to the headphone's signature.
There's little noise isolation. You'll easily hear everything around you.
How much can the bass be boosted before the driver distorts?
I'm looking for an open back with punchy bass that can be boosted and nice sounstage for gaming under 400€, the dt1990 was close but i couldn't stand the treble, and this model is 100€ cheaper.
If you can’t stand the treble of the 1990, I don’t think AA headphones will be much better for you.
This equipment caught my interest but I was looking for a closed back ones with similar detail and the 3d effect that you mention also seems pretty intriguing after visiting the Austrian audio website it appears they launched a closed back version the Hi-X60. I would love to see your review of those.
I'm waiting for a review unit from Austrian Audio. Have there been any YT reviews of it?
@@NoThemeReviews yes but nothing similar to the depth of your videos
Thanks for the review, would you say that Hi-x65 can be used for mixing that will translate well in many listening environments, or they are so different from other more neutral headphones that they won't serve this purpose?
If you rely only on the x65 for mixing, I'm confident you'll end up with a wonky mix when others hear it on more traditional headphones.
@@NoThemeReviews thanks a lot for the answer
Great review! Obviously X55 is for recording, X65 is for mixing...I think that was austrian audio's original idea..
Looks like the Austrian X65 is the better buy and Value in all Categories than ,Dt 1990 pro, Sundara, and Avantone. X65 ON THE WAY...
Why?
Avantone is neutral. X65 not.
Yes its better than the dt1990 but if someone needs neutral headphone both x65 and 1990 are not for him .
Great work, definitely deserve 1 million subscriptions.
If you're planning to keep your reviews with one or two reference tracks, I have one suggestion.
If you can play piano, make a small piece of music yourself with sampled instruments ( many free samples are available for Kontakt player, or comes with free sampler like SSD5 for drums)
If you can't play, download midi tracks of any song you like and use the multi track midi tracks in a free DAW like Cakewalk ( Windows) GarageBand ( Mac)
Mix and master it yourself. Now use that track as your reference.
Yes, it's difficult if you're new to production, but this is the only way to judge headphones with reference tracks.
And only then you will understand why HD560s/ NDH20 are considered standard for mix checking.
These are not audiophile grade stuff. These are tools for checking mixes.
Great job here man. These sound very interesting and you’ve done a fantastic job detailing everything from top to bottom.
It’s too bad they most likely won’t receive much attention from the usual audiophile crowd on UA-cam because they’re not a ZMF, Focal, or an Audeze.
You stated that vocals are thin to some, are they has bad as Sundara ???
Great review, I notice these seem to have a proprietary 2.5mm bayonet connection at the headphone end, is there easy access to remove the component inside the earcup? (Thinking ahead for using better cable options without restrictions), thanks
No not really
Hello NTR. Unforturnately I had to cancel my order for the M1570. Monoprice were out of stock so I would have to wait untill estimated restock date 1st November to maybe see a shipment date, that is way to long of a wait for me since I placed an order on the 14th of August.... So I decided for a refund and I may get myself the Austrian Audio Hi-X65. So being an owner of the Avantone Planar and absolutely loving them. What should I expect technicality wise from the X-65? Do they handle eq well? I will mostly likely use eq to fix that slight sub bass roll off. I am looking for a good soundstage, doesn't have to be crazy wide but wide enough. I do want heaps of separation between vocals and instruments, I want amazing clarity and amazing detail and imaging which seems the X-65 has. Transients sounds impressive aswell. I have heard the Focal Clear and absolutely loved what I heard but they are to expensive for me. I am truly curious what are your thoughts when the Clear and X-65 are compared? Apart from tonality, how are overall technicalities between the two?
Yes, I think the x65 handles EQ pretty well--better than some popular headphones like the Sundara or DT1990. Obviously, every driver has its own limits, so as long as you're reasonable with your EQ adjustments, you can easily bump the bass a few db without significantly affecting the clarity in that region. The x65 and x55 are meant precisely for detail, separation, and clarity. These are not the typical audiophile headphones, which I find are heavy on marketing promises and light on delivery.
As you suggested, the Clear and x65/x55 are very different in tonality. The Clear is much closer to balanced. As for clarity, I think you'd be splitting hairs, and depending on your music and dac, you might find one edging out the other. Overall, I think the x65/x55 has more separation and instrument placement than the Clear. Personally, I like the Clear's tonality more for casual listening--but that's to be expected considering it's designed for audiophiles.
@@NoThemeReviews Amazing this got my hopes up. I was going to eq the X-65 with Oratorys eq which follows the harmen target. But I'd do a few tweaks to make it more neutral and balanced. I was thinking a low shelf at 70hz of 3db which will only enhance the sub bass but leave mid bass. I think his eq would make the X-65 more closer to the Focal Clear tonality. If the X-65 still holds its technicalities like as you mentioned, better separation, better instrument placement and all that, it could be a winner 😁. Thank you very much, this info was great to hear
greetings NTR, I bought hi x15 after watching your review. I couldn't be happier, it was an exceptional purchase. Now I'm thinking about an upgrade in the near future and thinking about x65. The only issue x15 has[for me] is it lacks certain bass details [I think]. As an example - there's a slight thudding shotgun sound in Left4Dead2 that is missing in these cans regardless of volume that I can hear clearly with Final a4000 and through some other equipments. Even if I turn the volume up to an uncomfortable level it still can't produce that sound. So my question is how does the x65 compare to x15 in the bass department? If you could provide some useful info. about the bass response of those two it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I don't think you're getting any more bass on the x65. AA doesn't emphasize bass in their headphones, so you'll be better off going a different direction.
@@NoThemeReviews thanks mate, that isn't a deal breaker for me, I just have one more question - how much brighter x65 is compared to x15 because I find x15 pretty smooth with a hint of brightness
@@ArpanDas That's a bit hard to say. I don't think there's much difference in the top-end. The x65 does sound clearer overall, probably partly due to the larger ear cups and different padding.
@@NoThemeReviews thanks again mate, x65 it is then
Seems like it is time to sell my 1990 pro. The x-65 seems better in almost every way. The 1990 pro is just uncomfortable, and coming back to it after listening to other headphones is like getting used to knives in the ears again. I am tired of the brain burn in time needed, they just are not worth it.
this vs sennheiser amiron vs shure hsr-1840 vs m&d-mw65 vs avantone pro planar plz......
....which one ???......or other in the price 350$-550$......THX!
They're all different. The Amiron has a significant sibilance and treble emphasis--it can bey very harsh. I don't have the 1840. The MW65 is a warm, bassy headphone. The Avantone Planar is the most neutral planar magnetic headphone I've heard.
@@NoThemeReviews
oki......so.....xi-65 1684 ron to me.........planar pro is 2145.........would you take planar over xi-65 ???......and then.....couple them with what amp ???...in some price plz.....even one portable example.......THX! (1eur=5ron almost)
....actually....my goal is to obtain the neutral detailed speedy-dynamic (punchi-timming good on impulse givings like piano battery etc dunno to say the word for that) so everything in the price ofcourse (utopia costs 4000$!).....so from like 350$ to 550$ best products in the range!.......neutrol coz I knew I can do everth with eq if I want bass or trebble.......
....and for neutrality I have to look at studios (which can be "harshie") from s.280 ath 50x y.mt8 then x-65 planar etc etc may be to s.700 which comes to me at 2750.......more I dont wanna pay.......
my problem is I (and any) listen to all kind of music from a mozzart simph. to latino and rock beatles queen elvis alice c. tw.sis. j.priest and ofcourse metallica (one!)......and I want the best heads in the price!....neutral detailed dynamic good on piano-battery hiting someth. (again dunno to say the gaddamm term).....
@@Kogaion78 If you want neutral, then the x65 is not it. The Avantone Planar is the most neutral planar magnetic I've heard.
@@NoThemeReviews
oki.....thx!.....but one last q......
av.planar haz 30hz-30khz (dont think is 3hz...)....so.....do you happ to know which songs or bands have lows under 30hz ???....how much low metallica sings for ex........or a.cooper.....or latino somth....ora classicalm......dunno if to take it or not coz of that........and maybe for my own curiosity!....lol......THX!
@@Kogaion78 I have no idea
Hey NTR, I’m looking to get an entry-level set-up for ~$500. Will a UP4 power these sufficiently with the dual dac feature?
Appreicate your thorough reviews, having come from videos suggesting btr5+hd560’s.
Yes the UP4 has plenty of power for these headphones. The x55 and x65 are very easy to drive.
@@NoThemeReviews Thank you!
Nice! A bit steep in price especially for the different sound
Hi there… would you recommend focal clear over Austrian x65 for fps gaming / positioning/soundstage & track movement??
I think the Clear is a bit better in those regards, but it's also considerably more expensive.
1:20 x55?
Another great review. On the topic of value it seems that your opinion is that this headphone is not good value. What is your opinion of the value when it comes to the high end such as hd-800s and Utopia?
Well…it’s hard to say if this is value. If it were the same price as the x55, I wouldn’t hesitate. But for $420, it does justify the price but one really has to be sure they want this sound signature. As I said, it’s a specialty headphone and in that regard, it does what very few can. I think that it is value…but it’s at my extreme reach.
When compared to the costlier headphones…again, the performance (clarity, detail, resolution, placement) rivals that of the Clear and HD800s. The Utopia has little to offer in this comparison as that headphone is much closer to the typical sound signature and performance.
@@NoThemeReviews I agree here. It rivals the clarity and detail of the Focal Clear and HD800s. Once the HI-X65 is EQd, its a whole different story. For me, it outpeforms the Focal Clear in clarity and detail while you can also get a similar tonality. While the Focal Clear has luxurious build. That's about it that I find does better over the HI-X65. I find the HI-X65 has better imaging, better instrument and vocal separation. Better soundstage. Clarity on the same level as the Focal Clear, detail that slightly edges the Focal Clear. I find the HI-X65 to have better separation between sub and mid bass. More textural nuance and detail in the low end, mids and treble. I find dynamics to be extremely similar compared to the Clear. Obviously this is all with EQ. But such a little easy fix can make the HI-X65 from a good headphone to an endgame headphone..... Now there is the value. Considering if you are looking for pure sound quality. The HI-X65 has the Focal Clear beat. A Focal Clear here in Australia goes for $1388 - $1400. The Austrian Audio HI-X65 goes for $599 and can be had sometimes for $560 if on sale. So the HI-X65 costs less than half the price and with eq, beats the Focal Clear for sound quality... That's amazing value right there. I do love the Focal Clear for its luxurious feel, its build quality and comfort. But when it comes to sound... The HI-X65 is on a slightly different league where many headphone companies should pause, and reconsider there value. The HI-X65 is a $599 headphone that sounds like a $2000+ headphone after a little bit of eq. When you think of it like that.... Now that is mind blowing value
@@S.G54321 hi how to enable the eq feature? It's my first time using a earphone without buletooth, so I dont know why x65 has eq but Clear has not?
How is it that it has forward base, mids, and highs? Seems like it just has a couple of dips at the intermediary frequencies. Disappointing that the new company is going down the road of proprietary everything.
Who knows how these compare to the Avantone Planar's? They are great for reference/mixing, which is what I'm looking for, and at a great price but are heavy and sweaty AF! I have to take them off every 10 minutes to get some air. I can't take it anymore. They say these X65's are pretty bright tho? Had enough of that with the DT880's. Im torn.
do you get the same type of seal you get with the open back with the closed because I'm looking for breathability?
Hello fellow audio enthusiast,
I recently came across your channel (really awesome stuff btw) when looking for a decent pair of headphones for mixing and mastering (mostly metal) and wanted to get your recommendation for something in the $500 to $1000 range. I do have a pair of Adam A77H near fields but im looking for a flat headphone for late night sanity checks when mixing and mastering.
I was originally looking at the dt 1990 but every review says the same thing about the highs being too harsh. I had a pair of dt 770s back in the day and felt they were too thin, maybe its cause of the wide range idk. Iv also been looking at the NDH 30’s and the Austrian Audio x65. Thoughts on those or any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I haven’t used the NDH30 but extensively used the NDH20, which is basically the same thing. I do not believe Neumann makes flat headphones, and their price point is insulting. I know some professionals who love the Neumanns, but they are not for everyone. They might be good at certain genres or use scenarios.
Austrian Audio also does not make flat/neutral headphones. They are intended for critical listening and fine tuning mistakes in the mix. They can be very fun to listen to casually, but will reveal imperfections.
You might want to look at a variety of options. The Rode NTH100, Avantone Planar, DT880, Blue Ella, OLLO S5X, Avantone MP1, HD600/650/6xx, Focal Listen Pro.
If you’re already using Adam speakers, maybe look at their Ultrasone colab SP5. It’s an ok headphone, overpriced, but should at least replicate Adam’s house signature.
I wouldn’t recommend anything from Audeze, Hifiman, or Monolith for what you’re planning. Audeze’s headphones vary year to year in regards to sound signature-something that was a point of discussion a few years ago when people became more aware of it. Audeze thinks this is charming, but people who look for consistency typically don’t appreciate that. So, you might find a review of the LCD2 a few years ago with praise for its sound, buy this year’s version and discover there’s a difference in tuning. You might not care, but it’s worth noting.
Hifiman is a good company if you want planars for cheap. They’re a bad, terrible company where it comes to build quality, and QC in general. Their headphones are not designed to be universally comfortable, and swing all over the place with a huge variety of sound signatures from model to model. Not a bad thing in itself, but worth considering.
Monolith has some warranty issues, their headphones are not particularly comfortable, not tuned for neutrality, and the company hasn’t done much with their headphones for years. It’s questionable whether they care at all to progress-and that’s not reassuring when you’re about to throw down several hundred dollars.
If you’re using Adam’s, I’m assuming you’re not jumping onto the Harman band wagon. If that’s the case, stay far away from from anything that tries to mimic that evolving signature. I personally don’t think the Harman sound is remotely neutral-not until recording artists widely adopt it.
If your goal is to find imperfections in your mix through headphones, the x65 is a very good choice. The Focal Clear and Sennheiser HD800s are also quite excellent for that purpose.
If you want to check how your mix might sound on consumer gear, I’d suggest looking at NTH100, HD600 series, Focal Listen Pro, or one of Ollo’s headphones.
You might have done so already, but you should ask this question on professional AV forums, well away from audiophile circles. I’m sure the pros will have a unique perspective as well.
AA have released a Xi-60 model. The news is that it is a closed version of the 65. Unfortunately info by reviewers is still not available. I am more interested how the 60 is different from the 55, in what is different since I like very much the 55 in technicalities and sound signature.
Is it with balance cable?
No, Austrian Audio headphones are not wired for balanced cables
Any plan to review Audeze lcd-2c??
I have a few times in comparisons. The most recent is in the Ella review
I own the Anantone Planar and find them to sound wonderful! I also sold my Hifiman Ananda! GREAT REVIEW!
Hi, I'm curious about why you disabled the like-dislike ratio on this video. Seems like a strange choice to make for a channel that's supposed to provide unbiased and analytical reviews of audio gear. Surely your viewers should be as free to 'review' your review by liking or disliking your video as you are free to openly review the gear you buy.
Not to mention Austrian Audio sent you this unit themselves, you didn't buy it (as far as I can tell), though you did actually buy the previous models. If you gave them a bad review, they would be unlikely to make a similar gesture again, so it's slightly difficult to imagine complete objectivity from you in this review.
I should mention that I usually quite like your content and how strenuously you examine the gear you review, including this video. Which is why I'm slightly surprised by the lack of transparency in the ratio.
ua-cam.com/video/I29SJU0lTP8/v-deo.html
Been waiting on these
They missed a good chance to make these a with two inputs for balanced amps !
just bought them, they sound boxy and sonarworks thing did not help them to sound pleasant, everything from spotify sounded boxy with exaggerated mids. thinkink about to return them :(
Hi there… fantastic content overall ☝️ just a quick question.creative soundblaster g6 sound card is good enough to run them?? If not any recommendations?? Of course for fps gaming.
Yes the G6 is plenty for a lot of headphones
The dt990s treble is smooth and not harsh if you have a headphone amp with a output impedance between 80-120ohm.
Please define "natural". What is the reference for "natural?
You’ll have to give me context. What are you talking about?
@@NoThemeReviews You don't provide a reference to explain what "natural" sounding is to you. Yet the word is used countless of times in the video. You use it as if it's a commonly understood reference, something everyone know, but in reality, I don't know what you are referring to. Natural means: existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind.
Most audiophiles know that “natural” means how a particular instrument sounds in a live venue. That’s what I mean when I use that word. It is in fact a commonly understood word among audiophiles.
@@NoThemeReviews Any instrument, even the same brand and model, even the very same instrument with the same artist, sounds completely different at different live venues and also sounds different by who's playing it. Therefore, there is no reference and thus you can't use "natural" as a reference.
And what about studio recordings? You don't know how the instruments sounded like during the recording unless you were there. You have no idea what they sounded like and thus you can't make the statement that they sound "natural".
It's just a phrase used by people including you, where no one has defined what it really means. It's a hollow language of phrases with no context or real meaning.
I’m not remotely inclined to play your semantics game. If you object to this type of nomenclature, then don’t watch or read any audiophile reviews. Your objectivist viewpoint would mean nobody anywhere can use any language other than precise, hyper-accurate data to discuss anything. That’s not realistic, no matter how much you disagree with us. Adherence to such strictures is unreasonable and irrational. If your position is to be taken seriously, then nobody should discuss any aspect of any gear since the person’s gender, age, experience, environment, music, preferences, mindset, and other remote factors will be different or undefinable. You can read ASR’s measurement graphs if that makes you happy, but the rest of us don’t have to follow.
Sorry, but you’re not going to convince me you’re right-especially with the weak arguments you’ve made. Move on.
Hi, do you have the intention to review the Sennheiser Momentum 3? I use it every day and I’m thinking to replace my Audeze LCD-2 Closed and DT1990 because of the versatility of the Momentum 3, especially in the USB-C mode with a lot of details when I need. Thx!
Nope
Good work! I love AA's design. It's nice to see a headphone company doing something differently.
Can u pls do frequency measurements of headphones? It will help to understand tonal balance.
Pair very well with Topping E50 + L50 stack.
In your headphone comparison segment, which is your favourite and why? Which sounds most musical or analogue?
Thks for the review
I like them all for different reasons. I don't know what "musical" is supposed to mean, but I do have an idea of "analogue." None of them sound analogue. The Avantone Planar comes the closest. If you want "analogue" sound, you may want to consider the AudioQuest Nighthawk, K371, Harmonicdyne Zeus, or if you can find a pre-fazor LCD-2.
Is there enough difference between models to justify owning more than one. Eg x65 and an z60 or x55? Great video as always.
There are some, but I wouldn’t say significant. But the x15 and x25 are much more different from the higher priced models.
@@NoThemeReviews thank you. Would the x60 or x65 be a better one to pick up if I was to own just one of them?
Depends on whether you want open or closed back. Not much difference in sound signature but the closed back has a bit more mid bass.
Which has the best bass response, x60 or x65?
Since you said you tried these headphones with the Ifi Zen Fac, do they pair well? I've been looking into getting the Zen Dac
Yes
I'm quite surprised with your reviews on AA headphones, the only thing that is brought up is the fr and everything stops right there. No matter the place forums, Discord, some Yt channels, it's all about the same thing 'graph sucks, look elsewhere'... Anyway, I was wondering if you are planning on reviewing the youngest/cheaper brothers Hi-x15/25Bt (They share the same drivers and I'm looking for an alternative to the AKG K361/71). Ty in advance.
Unfortunately, there's far too much reliance on FR graphs and measurements. I'm supposed to get a chance to review the new headphones; the US release isn't planned until next month, so we'll see. It looks like I'll have a chance to interview AA's CEO soon, so that should be very enlightening.
@@NoThemeReviews OMG!.
That's so great to hear, I'll be looking forward to it!!!
Trying to decide if i should buy this pair for mixing and mastering work.
Frequency response doesn't matter because i would tune them to same "correction curve" as i do my Sundara.
Do you think i could benefit from using this pair over Sundara?
Thank you in advance!
They’re very different from each other, so I don’t know if you’d “benefit” one way or another. If you’re intending to find issues with your mix, then I think the AA headphones will let you find those far easier than the Sundara.
@@NoThemeReviews Thank you for replying! Just ordered a pair.
I can expect to hear the difference myself in a couple of days 👍
@@NoThemeReviews Wow these are fast and still punchy😲Everything sounds so accurate.
I did a test mix/master and when i checked it in car and through phone speaker it sounded dynamics wise like i thought it would 🤝
This rarely happens when you work with only headphones.
I used Oratory eq from AutoEq and brought down additional peaks between 8000 and 15000 hz which i hear with every pair of headphones.
I got the Avantone Planar about four months ago, and I’ve loved listening to it. However, they broke last night and I am not sure that the vendor I purchased it from will help me repair or replace them. In either case, I’m looking for a bit of a consolation headphone to replace them while staying at about the 400ish budget level. What might you recommend as a worthwhile new direction to explore or upgrade from the Planar? It’s hard to imagine getting a better deal, but the design build of the Planar was a bit weak anyway and not suited to me for 8+ hours of listening.
Avantone should warranty that. As for an alternative in the meantime, I can’t say what is an “upgrade” as that’s fairly vague and subjective. But, if you want something different, you might want to research the Blue Ella (you can find it on Amazon and eBay for $400 new), Monolith M1570, Sendy Aiva (used), Hifiman Sundara or Deva.
@@NoThemeReviews You gave me some names I was thinking about and some new ones too. Thank you for the insight and suggestions. And yeah, Avantone just got back to me with positive info, but given the distance + shipping, it is going to be a few weeks at least 🙃 I am glad they're covering it anyway
what a waste of time. youtube: dont recommend the channel...
How sad for you.
This is a strange question, but I am 64 so listen to wide variety of music but most is from 60s and 70s. SO, will a headphone like this show up the recording standards of the day and another headphone be better for me ??. I like punchy bass but vocals are most important. I watched your review of HD Zeus and wondered about that, you commented that it " smoothed" out vocals ???
Thanks, Steve.
No I wouldn’t recommend the x65 or x55 for that type of recording. You’ll hear every imperfection, and that’ll be quite disappointing. If that’s what you want, then the AA headphones will deliver. But if you want a warm, natural sound signature, then I’d suggest looking elsewhere. Along with the Zeus, you may want to consider the Meze 99 Classic, Philips X2HR, Audioquest Nighthawk, Base Audio G12, and I’m sure many other options. I can’t narrow down a specific headphone as all of these have something difference in sound and comfort. BUT, if you want a neutral headphone, then my 2 constant suggestions are the Avantone Planar and OLLO Audio S4 or S4X. They each have certain caveats (which I have discussed in their respective reviews), however they’re quite neutral IMO.
@@NoThemeReviews thank you so much for your detailed reply, there are are many suggestions there I have not even heard of lol. Thank you again for taking the time. One last option, M1060c?????
I did some detailed comparisons of that as well. It might work fine but it’s a pretty hefty and oddly constructed headphone.
@@NoThemeReviews it's certainly a ugly thing, well the headband lol. But if it has the sound I'll live with it !!!
Now I'm really interested in your take on the AKG k 702....since i believe that it is in many regards superior ... sound stage, natural mids / highs and the same or close in detail.
Man that music at the beginning is so good!
Pixabay.com has a huge supply of free music. That’s where I got all the background tracks for this video
Something is wrong with with me I hear 0 footsteps on New Light by Kazukii on all my headphones. lol.
The first footstep is at 11 seconds and in the right channel.
On the UA-cam track I hear the first around 12secs. There is some rustling earlier and its hard to tell whether footsteps are included. I can't find the track on Amazon though, unless I need to upgrade.
What do u think about using the X65 for fps gaming?
If you're after details and clarity, then the Austrian Audio headphones outclass nearly anything else you could use. I've used them for gaming, and found them pretty useful. But, they don't have rumbly bass, so if you want a more immersive experience in FPS, the explosions won't be as visceral as with more traditional headphones.
@@NoThemeReviews im not after immersion just competitive advantage in audio positioning, footsteps etc
@@Icy20 in that case, AA headphones will do the job nicely
Parece increíble, pero el modelo HI-X15 de esta marca,tiene un sonido superior y es más barato
Have you tried the x60?
Nope
@@NoThemeReviews That makes the x55 the most analytical closed-back you have tried so far? Have you had the opportunity to try V-MODA M-200 yet?
@@dominicdriman1319 The x55 and x65 are about the same in performance. But, the HD800s are still the most analytical I've heard. I do have the M200. It's not remotely as revealing as the AA or HD800s. IMO, the M200 is more for checking the mix to make sure there aren't obvious issues.
@@NoThemeReviews Cool! Have you counted the steps in New Light by Kazukii with the M-200? Would be interesting to know how it scores. Also how would you judge its neutrality compared to the Avantone Planar?
thanks for this review. i saw another headphone just released. wanted to see if you might do a review on these headphones-linsoul Little Dot GYFU HiFi Triple Driver Headphone. they are available on amazon
I’m done reviewing Linsoul’s headphone of the month. They’re far too costly, far too mysterious and far too hyped. I can’t keep spending money on their stuff.
First
Headphones don't produce noise, dummy. Drivers are lazy, their contribution is called distortion. Noise is not distortion. 3:25
Hahahahaha. You said "drivers are lazy" and you think you can lecture me about the pedantry of noise and distortion? Sweet. Keep up the great work, pal!
@@NoThemeReviews No, but it;simportant. People who watch reviews confuse these things. If you equivocate one term to another which it isn't, then you contribute to misinformation. A small detail? yes. Unimportant? No.
I'm not the one advocating "lazy drivers". Nobody's getting confused by the way I speak of noise and distortion. They're getting misled by people who keep hyping measurements, people who don't actually review gear, and those who hyper-focus on pointless nonsense. If you've got a problem with it, then go right ahead and make content that demystifies what you think is wrong, and I'll link to it. But if you're not willing to put your effort where your mouth is, stop complaining.
@@NoThemeReviews And how do you know? What is your method for determining that people who watch your video don't confuse noise and distortion?
I just pointed to a mistake. I see I was too direct, so sorry about it. But maybe instead of going the way of whataboutim... IDK just take it like a man and pay attention to it in the future. Simple as that. Noise is noise, distortion is distortion - easy.
I agree with the rest of the statement albeit distortion is not as simple as you may think it is. Peace
Actually, dum-dum, I have access to greater metrics than you do about any of my videos. I WOULD know. Your pointless bitching is noted. Thanks for the whining, it was real educational. You should definitely do something about those lazy drivers, though. Be a man, take up the cause against lazy drivers!