Austrian Audio HI-X60

The Hi-X60 is the closed-back counterpart to the open-back Hi-X65, sharing the same 44mm driver with a ring magnet delivering the strongest magnetic field in its class, and a copper-clad aluminum voice coil that reduces diaphragm mass. A 5 Hz–28 kHz frequency response, THD below 0.1%, and low 25 Ω impedance give a detailed, low-distortion signal that drives cleanly even off a laptop headphone jack. The closed design isolates sound in both directions — outward and inward — making it suitable for both tracking and work in loud stage environments.

Two-way isolation as a solution to mic bleed

A common problem when tracking vocals or an acoustic instrument: headphone signal leaks straight into the microphone, showing up later in the take as a faint bleed. The Hi-X60's closed design effectively blocks sound from escaping the earcups, minimizing bleed even at louder monitoring levels, while also damping ambient noise reaching the performer's ear — useful in FOH work, where an engineer needs to judge the mix despite stage or crowd noise.

An open soundstage despite the closed design

Closed-back headphones usually sound narrower than open-back counterparts, with less sense of space between instruments in a mix. The Hi-X60 addresses this with a spacious internal cavity inside a relatively compact external shell, giving a soundstage closer to open-back headphones while keeping full acoustic isolation. Combined with the driver's linear response, this gives precise stereo imaging useful for making mix decisions without a misleadingly narrow stage.

KEY FEATURES

• Closed-back, circumaural reference design
• 44mm High Excursion driver with ring magnet system
• Copper-clad aluminum voice coil reducing diaphragm mass
• Low 25 Ω impedance, easy to drive from portable devices
• Metal hinges and headband for build durability
• Foldable design with 90°-rotating earcups
• Replaceable memory-foam earpads and headband padding
• Two detachable cables included: 3m and 1.2m, plus a 3.5/6.3mm adapter

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: closed-back, circumaural
• Driver: 44mm High Excursion
• Frequency response: 5 Hz - 28 kHz
• Sensitivity: 110 dB SPL/V
• THD (@1kHz): <0.1%
• Impedance: 25 Ω
• Input power: 150 mW
• Cables: 3m and 1.2m (detachable), 3.5/6.3mm adapter
• Dimensions: 200 x 170 x 85 mm
• Weight (without cable): 320 g