Short answer: the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano. It ranks #4 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $319. The Austrian Audio Hi-X60 ranks #10, rated 4.4/5, at $303.69, $15.31 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano: A preference score of 94 puts it close to the Harman target, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 0.1 dB of target and the midrange within about 1 dB. The catch: The top end is the weak spot, with the air region above 10 kHz running about 4.6 dB hot and a 10.8 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, preceded by a 4.4 dB dip near 9.6 kHz.
The case for the Austrian Audio Hi-X60: A preference score of 91 comes from a response within about 1.7 dB of the Harman target, with sub-bass 1.4 dB and bass 1.0 dB above target for a full, slightly warm foundation. Watch for: There is a 3.9 dB dip near 2 kHz, which can pull some vocals and snare detail slightly back, and a 3.1 dB peak near 5.6 kHz adds a touch of edge.
Buy the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $15.31 saving on the Austrian Audio Hi-X60 is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Ananda Nano | Austrian Audio Hi-X60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 | $303.69 |
| Ranked | #4 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #10 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.43 dB standard deviation | 1.65 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 110 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 55kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HIFIMAN Ananda Nano compares with other leading options:
- HIFIMAN Ananda Nano vs Sennheiser HD 560S
- HIFIMAN Ananda Nano vs Beyerdynamic MMX 300
- HIFIMAN Ananda Nano vs Dyson Zone
- Austrian Audio Hi-X60 vs Dyson Zone
- Austrian Audio Hi-X60 vs Beyerdynamic MMX 300
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
HIFIMAN Ananda Nano: $319.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 94 puts it close to the Harman target, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 0.1 dB of target and the midrange within about 1 dB. Impedance of just 14 ohms makes it simple to drive from a phone or dongle, and the open planar design gives a spacious presentation. Sub-bass is only moderately light, about 2.8 dB under target.
Cons: The top end is the weak spot, with the air region above 10 kHz running about 4.6 dB hot and a 10.8 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, preceded by a 4.4 dB dip near 9.6 kHz. That can make cymbals and strings sound bright or sharp on some recordings. At 420 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound and gives no isolation.
Full HIFIMAN Ananda Nano review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.43 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 55kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 14 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.9 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 | +4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,884 Hz | +2.9 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 84 Hz | -2.2 dB | 1.06 |
| Peak | 343 Hz | -0.7 dB | 1.30 |
| Peak | 2,910 Hz | -1.8 dB | 3.07 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 969 Hz | -1.0 dB | 4.06 |
| Peak | 170 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.86 |
| Peak | 129 Hz | -0.7 dB | 3.65 |
| Peak | 752 Hz | +0.9 dB | 5.09 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Austrian Audio Hi-X60: $303.69 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 91 comes from a response within about 1.7 dB of the Harman target, with sub-bass 1.4 dB and bass 1.0 dB above target for a full, slightly warm foundation. At 25 ohms and 110 dB SPL/V it plays loudly from a phone, and the closed back isolates from outside noise. The 320 g weight is moderate.
Cons: There is a 3.9 dB dip near 2 kHz, which can pull some vocals and snare detail slightly back, and a 3.1 dB peak near 5.6 kHz adds a touch of edge. It has no built-in microphone, unlike the Beyerdynamic MMX 300, so it is less suited to calls and gaming.
Full Austrian Audio Hi-X60 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.65 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.7 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 | -9.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 138 Hz | -14.9 dB | 0.60 |
| Peak | 81 Hz | +18.3 dB | 0.36 |
| Peak | 1,919 Hz | +4.6 dB | 3.37 |
| Peak | 1,025 Hz | -2.1 dB | 2.33 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,712 Hz | +2.5 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 3,637 Hz | +1.6 dB | 1.17 |
| Peak | 2,676 Hz | -3.1 dB | 5.21 |
| Peak | 5,733 Hz | -3.6 dB | 5.64 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons