Short answer: the HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back. Both are rated 3.3/5 for sound quality (#147 and #145 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back costs $129 against $149 for the Austrian Audio Hi-X15, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Austrian Audio Hi-X15 does well: 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 tradeoff: 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 HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back: A planar magnetic closed-back at 20 ohms and 98 dB, so a phone can drive it. The tradeoff: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is about 4.8 dB low, with a 9.5 dB dip near 4 kHz, so vocals and snare attack sound recessed.
Buy the HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20 less than the Austrian Audio Hi-X15.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Austrian Audio Hi-X15 | HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.00 | $129.00 |
| Ranked | #145 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #147 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 67 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.70 dB standard deviation | 2.77 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 44mm dynamic | 1 x 50mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 113 dB SPL/V | 98 dB |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (225 g) | 0.9 lbs (426 g) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 6Hz - 50kHz (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 Yamaha HPH-200
- Austrian Audio Hi-X15 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X
- HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back vs Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
- Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus vs HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back: $129.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A planar magnetic closed-back at 20 ohms and 98 dB, so a phone can drive it. Bass from 60 Hz to 3 kHz is within about 0.5 dB of target, giving a natural foundation for vocals. The closed back isolates.
Cons: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is about 4.8 dB low, with a 9.5 dB dip near 4 kHz, so vocals and snare attack sound recessed. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is another 3.3 dB under, adding dullness, and sub-bass is about 2.6 dB light. At 426 g it is heavy, and it is wired only, with no wireless or noise cancelling.
Full HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.77 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (426 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | +2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,877 Hz | +6.3 dB | 2.27 |
| Peak | 1,315 Hz | -3.9 dB | 2.53 |
| Peak | 302 Hz | -4.1 dB | 3.68 |
| Peak | 110 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.74 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,405 Hz | +4.2 dB | 2.95 |
| Peak | 549 Hz | +3.8 dB | 2.49 |
| Peak | 362 Hz | -1.7 dB | 4.10 |
| Peak | 1,015 Hz | -1.6 dB | 4.84 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons