Short answer: the Austrian Audio Hi-X15. It ranks #145 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $149; the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X ranks #157, rated 3.2/5, and costs $149.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Austrian Audio Hi-X15: Bass runs about 5.5 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz and stays within 6 dB of target all the way to 20 Hz, so kick drums and bass lines hit with weight and real rumble. The catch: A 9.3 dB peak near 6 kHz and treble about 5 dB above target from 3 to 10 kHz can make sibilance and cymbals sound sharp and tiring at higher volume.
Why pick the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X: The open-back 53mm driver gives a wide, airy sound, and the air region above 10 kHz is nearly on target. The catch: Sub-bass sits about 11 dB below target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is roughly 3 dB low, so kick drums and bass lines sound thin.
Buy the Austrian Audio Hi-X15. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Austrian Audio Hi-X15 | Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.00 | $149.99 |
| Ranked | #145 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #157 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 67 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.70 dB standard deviation | 3.47 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 63 Hz (-11.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 44mm dynamic | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 113 dB SPL/V | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (225 g) | 0.6 lbs (265 g) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Austrian Audio Hi-X15 compares with other leading options:
- Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus vs Austrian Audio Hi-X15
- Austrian Audio Hi-X15 vs HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back
- Austrian Audio Hi-X15 vs Yamaha HPH-200
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X vs Yamaha HPH-200
- 1MORE Triple Driver Over Ear vs Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Austrian Audio Hi-X15: $149.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Bass runs about 5.5 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz and stays within 6 dB of target all the way to 20 Hz, so kick drums and bass lines hit with weight and real rumble. The midrange sits within half a dB of target, keeping vocals natural. At 25 ohms and 113 dB/V it plays loud from a phone, and the closed back keeps sound in. It is rated equal to the HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back at a similar price.
Cons: A 9.3 dB peak near 6 kHz and treble about 5 dB above target from 3 to 10 kHz can make sibilance and cymbals sound sharp and tiring at higher volume. Its 3.7 dB standard deviation from target shows a fairly uneven, V shaped response rather than a balanced one.
Full Austrian Audio Hi-X15 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.70 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 44mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 67 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 113 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (225 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -5.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 378 Hz | +5.8 dB | 1.59 |
| Peak | 90 Hz | -6.1 dB | 1.30 |
| Peak | 52 Hz | +7.8 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 1,701 Hz | +5.4 dB | 3.59 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,036 Hz | -6.7 dB | 2.76 |
| Peak | 2,825 Hz | -7.1 dB | 2.33 |
| Peak | 2,042 Hz | +3.5 dB | 1.81 |
| Peak | 953 Hz | -2.0 dB | 3.63 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X: $149.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open-back 53mm driver gives a wide, airy sound, and the air region above 10 kHz is nearly on target. At 38 ohms and 100 dB/mW it runs directly from a phone, and it weighs only 265 g.
Cons: Sub-bass sits about 11 dB below target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is roughly 3 dB low, so kick drums and bass lines sound thin. A 11.8 dB dip near 7.2 kHz, with presence about 6 dB low, dulls vocals and cymbals, and a 3.47 dB deviation makes it less even than most. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X review and specifications →
| Released | 2012 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.47 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 63 Hz (-11.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,422 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.87 |
| Peak | 2,626 Hz | +6.9 dB | 1.24 |
| Peak | 157 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.48 |
| Peak | 6,954 Hz | +5.0 dB | 3.00 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,990 Hz | +3.5 dB | 5.55 |
| Peak | 4,063 Hz | -2.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 51 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.36 |
| Peak | 77 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.81 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons