Product Strengths

• Excellent build quality with durable metal parts, making them suitable for studio work and portable use
• Comfortable for long listening sessions with soft memory foam earpads and a headband designed to reduce pressure
• Delivers a clean, neutral, and detailed sound, with good instrument separation and clarity
• Good passive noise isolation, which is beneficial for recording and front-of-house applications
• Decent bass that is deep, clean, and controlled

Product Considerations

• Isolation is average for closed backs, not extremely isolating compared to some competitors
• Treble may be too bright and thin for some listeners
• Some reviewers find the midrange a little recessed
• Bass dynamics are considered a little soft by some

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs AKG K371: Hi-X60 is built better, more comfortable, and has better coupling consistency, but similar sonic compromises
• Vs Austrian Audio Hi-X55: Hi-X60 offers a more open sound and is a significant sonic upgrade
• Vs beyerdynamic DT770 Pro: Technical performance is considered better on the DT770 Pro
• Vs HIFIMAN Edition XS: Hi-X60 sounds more U-shaped and analytical, while the Edition XS is smoother and mid-centric
• Vs KLH Ultimate One: Hi-X60 sounds more resolute and has a better soundstage, whereas the Ultimate One is more bass-heavy
• Vs Audeze Maxwell: Maxwell is a better sounding product overall and has more features, but the Hi-X60 is more comfortable

Takeaway: The Austrian Audio Hi-X60 is a well-built and comfortable closed-back headphone that delivers a detailed and neutral sound, making it a good choice for studio monitoring and critical listening. They are also durable enough to be used on the go, making them a versatile option for music enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Product Strengths

• Wide range of connectivity options including analog via 3.5mm jack, digital via USB-C, and wireless via Bluetooth
• Long battery life of around 30 hours in wireless mode
• Good sound quality for the price, with clear highs and good speech intelligibility
• Lightweight and comfortable for extended listening sessions
• Extensive included accessories, including multiple cables and a carrying case

Product Considerations

• The SBC Bluetooth codec is a limitation, as APTX or AAC would have been preferred
• Touch controls can be overly sensitive and sometimes unresponsive
• There is no active noise cancelling (ANC)
• Bass may be leaner than some rivals, not satisfying bass-heads
• The battery is not replaceable

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Similar to the wired Hi-X15 in terms of sound balance in the mids, but sounds rounder overall with more present bass
• The Hi-X25BT provides a resplendently clean soundscape, like the budget Hi-X15
• Sound seems to be slightly more compressed in the bass, and the overall sound was a little warmer than the wired Hi-X15
• Versus the Sony WH-CH720N, the Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT offers insight and detail

Takeaway: The Hi-X25BT headphones offer numerous connectivity options, good sound, and comfort, making them a solid choice. They are a good pick for people who want wireless sound without spending too much.

Product Strengths

• Clean and revealing sound that's packed with detail
• Good with rhythms, and has a natural sense of rhythm
• Lightweight and good-looking in a modest kind of way
• Good standard of build and finish
• Comfortable for long listening sessions

Product Considerations

• Can be unforgiving of poor recordings and sources
• Slightly light in the bass, which may not satisfy bass enthusiasts
• A shorter cable option would be nice
• Midrange can push vocals too far to the fore, and seem piercing at louder volumes
• Acoustic isolation to the outside is rather unbalanced

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs Røde NTH-100: The Røde NTH-100 provides a fuller, more ample lower-end signature, a generally more easygoing, undemanding appeal, and is more forgiving of poor-quality sources and recordings
• Vs Austrian Audio Hi-X15: The Hi-X20 fits seamlessly between the Hi-X15 and Hi-X25, but has a simpler color scheme
• Vs Grado SR80x: The Grado SR80x is a good alternative if you accept an open-back design
• Vs FiiO FT1 and SIVGA Oriole: The FiiO FT1 and SIVGA Oriole are worth considering at Hi-X20-adjacent money, and both feature wood quite prominently as a material

Takeaway: The Hi-X20 are well-made headphones with a sparklingly clear sound that delves deep into music's finer details, being an accomplished and thoroughly entertaining listen. They are a good option for those who enjoy direct, revealing sound and an understated look, also intending to listen for hours on end.

Product Strengths

• Shockingly good for the money, a very well-tuned headphone for the price category
• Good bass response that is fun, with lots of thumpiness and impact in the lower sub-bass regions, while maintaining a clean mid-bass region
• Trouble response is fairly target-adherent with a chill character and not overly fatiguing
• Comes with a banger accessories package providing two cables, a carry case, more than a lot of companies are coming out with
• Delivers impressive sound quality across the board, backed by excellent build quality and a generous set of accessories

Product Considerations

• The actual earpad area for the ear is not super great, and it will be felt a little bit on the ear, might be more on-ear than fully over-ear if you have really large ears
• Sound staging is one area that could improve the most, because there is almost none, can sound almost claustrophobic, because everything is happening right here all the time
• Mid-range is not all that exciting to listen to, vocals can be shouty or honk-type sound to certain vocalists
• Build quality feels good for $150, but it would not pass the sniff test for $500, definitely feels like it's a budget device

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• The AKG K361 has advantages over the FiiO FT1, like sound staging
• The FT1’s level of midrange fidelity is impressive, rivaling the best mid-fi headphones such as the Sennheiser HD6XX and the Sundara
• It outshines most closed-back classics, including the Sony MDR-7506, AKG K361, and beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X
• The smaller FiiO FT1 was enjoyed even more than the FiiO FT5, since it strikes the right balance between fun, warmth, and technicality, handling tough tracks with much more ease than anticipated

Takeaway: The FiiO FT1 is a surprisingly good closed-back headphone for the money and offers a well-tuned sound signature with good bass response. This headphone is priced at $150 and is surprisingly nice with some great terminations.

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• ANC does not compete with Sony or Bose, even in the same price category, let alone their higher-end stuff.
• The Sennheiser HD 450BT and the Urbanista Los Angeles offer better ANC or a unique solar charging design, respectively, for a small price increase.
• More comfortable than the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 and Apple AirPods Max thanks to plush padding.
• The Edifier WH950NB hybrid ANC is well implemented, making it a legitimate reason to consider, even outside of the big price savings, as the Stax SPIRIT S3 does not feature any noise cancellation.

Takeaway: The Edifier WH950NB is a comfortable and feature-rich headphone that offers good noise cancellation and balanced sound, making it a solid choice for commuters or anyone seeking an immersive listening experience. With its long battery life and customizable app, these headphones are a great value for the price.