Short answer: the Austrian Audio Hi-X65. Both are rated 3.8/5 for sound quality (#90 and #92 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Austrian Audio Hi-X65 costs $295.38 against $328 for the Sony MDR-MV1, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles 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.
What the Sony MDR-MV1 does well: The open back has lively, extended treble and a full low end, with sub-bass on target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2.7 dB above, so it delivers real punch for an open design. The tradeoff: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 4.4 dB above target, with a 6.9 dB peak near 6.2 kHz, so cymbals, sibilance and hi hats can sound sharp or fatiguing.
Buy the Austrian Audio Hi-X65. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $32.62 less than the Sony MDR-MV1.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Austrian Audio Hi-X65 | Sony MDR-MV1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $295.38 | $328.00 |
| Ranked | #90 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #92 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.77 dB standard deviation | 2.34 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.42 (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 (-1.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 44mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL/V | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (310 g) | 0.5 lbs (223 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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How Austrian Audio Hi-X65 compares with other leading options:
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- Meze 105 Aer vs Austrian Audio Hi-X65
- Audeze Maxwell vs Austrian Audio Hi-X65
- Austrian Audio Hi-X65 vs Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
- Austrian Audio Hi-X65 vs Sivga Audio Phoenix
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
Sony MDR-MV1: $328.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open back has lively, extended treble and a full low end, with sub-bass on target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2.7 dB above, so it delivers real punch for an open design. At 24 ohms and 100 dB/mW it is easy to drive from a phone, and at 223 g it is the lightest headphone in this group. The preference score is 78, and it ties the Austrian Audio Hi-X65 on rating.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 4.4 dB above target, with a 6.9 dB peak near 6.2 kHz, so cymbals, sibilance and hi hats can sound sharp or fatiguing. A 4.1 dB dip near 4.6 kHz can leave vocals less natural. The bass and low mids add warmth that moves it away from neutral, and the open back leaks sound with no isolation.
Full Sony MDR-MV1 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.34 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.42 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (223 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.1 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 | +9.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 46 Hz | -9.2 dB | 0.37 |
| Peak | 1,722 Hz | +2.8 dB | 0.95 |
| Peak | 4,643 Hz | +9.2 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 5,779 Hz | -9.2 dB | 1.50 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 705 Hz | +0.8 dB | 2.45 |
| Peak | 242 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 128 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.09 |
| Peak | 2,955 Hz | -0.9 dB | 4.58 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons