Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X. Both are rated 3.8/5 for sound quality (#98 and #90 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X costs $279.99 against $295.38 for the Austrian Audio Hi-X65, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The case for the Austrian Audio Hi-X65: The open back response is bright and airy, with presence and treble about 1.5 to 1.7 dB above target and the top octave about 3 dB above, which brings out detail and space in recordings. The tradeoff: This is the least smooth model in this group, with a deviation of 2.8 dB.
Why pick the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz lands right on the Harman target, and the 48 ohm, 100 dB sensitivity design drives easily from a laptop or interface. Watch for: A deep 12.8 dB dip near 3.9 kHz pulls vocal presence and consonant clarity backward, and presence overall runs about 3.5 dB under target.
Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $15.39 less than the Austrian Audio Hi-X65.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Austrian Audio Hi-X65 | Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $295.38 | $279.99 |
| Ranked | #90 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #98 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 77 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.77 dB standard deviation | 2.58 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 44mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL/V | 100 dB SPL (1mW/500Hz) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (310 g) | 0.8 lbs (350 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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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-X65: $295.38 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open back response is bright and airy, with presence and treble about 1.5 to 1.7 dB above target and the top octave about 3 dB above, which brings out detail and space in recordings. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is on target, so it avoids bloat. It is very easy to drive at 25 ohms and 110 dB SPL per volt, it weighs 310 g and it ties the Sony MDR-MV1 on rating.
Cons: This is the least smooth model in this group, with a deviation of 2.8 dB. The low mids are about 3.4 dB above target while upper mids are 1.9 dB below, and a 5.1 dB dip near 1.7 kHz recesses vocals and a 5 dB peak near 5.9 kHz adds edge. Sub-bass is about 3.7 dB light under 60 Hz, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.77 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 44mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (310 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 | +5.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 236 Hz | -2.4 dB | 0.53 |
| Peak | 1,659 Hz | +6.9 dB | 1.76 |
| Peak | 592 Hz | -1.5 dB | 1.17 |
| Peak | 5,982 Hz | -4.0 dB | 3.16 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,426 Hz | +2.9 dB | 5.91 |
| Peak | 2,858 Hz | -1.9 dB | 5.45 |
| Peak | 4,145 Hz | -1.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 54 Hz | -0.2 dB | 1.78 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: $279.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz lands right on the Harman target, and the 48 ohm, 100 dB sensitivity design drives easily from a laptop or interface. The closed back and 350 g weight suit tracking and long monitoring sessions where bleed matters. A preference score of 77 with a fairly smooth 2.6 dB deviation makes it an easy listen overall.
Cons: A deep 12.8 dB dip near 3.9 kHz pulls vocal presence and consonant clarity backward, and presence overall runs about 3.5 dB under target. Sub-bass is about 2 dB light, so the lowest notes lack rumble. The Austrian Audio Hi-X65 matches its rating for noticeably less money, so the price is hard to justify on sound alone.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.58 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL (1mW/500Hz) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (350 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.6 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 | +1.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 131 Hz | -4.1 dB | 1.24 |
| Peak | 2,692 Hz | -2.6 dB | 0.37 |
| Peak | 265 Hz | +4.2 dB | 1.71 |
| Peak | 3,557 Hz | +6.8 dB | 2.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,709 Hz | -2.0 dB | 3.38 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | +1.5 dB | 3.47 |
| Peak | 88 Hz | -0.8 dB | 3.25 |
| Peak | 4,028 Hz | +1.4 dB | 5.91 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons