Short answer: the Meze 105 Aer. It ranks #86 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $299; the Austrian Audio Hi-X65 ranks #90, rated 3.8/5, at $295.38. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
The case for the Meze 105 Aer: The open back tuning is warm, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2 dB above target and the low mids about 1.6 dB above, so voices and instruments sound full and relaxed. Watch for: An 8 dB dip near 8.8 kHz and treble about 2.6 dB below target take the shimmer off cymbals and sibilance, so the top end can sound dull and veiled.
Why pick 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 catch: This is the least smooth model in this group, with a deviation of 2.8 dB.
Buy the Meze 105 Aer. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $3.62 saving on the Austrian Audio Hi-X65 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Meze 105 Aer | Austrian Audio Hi-X65 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $295.38 |
| Ranked | #86 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #90 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.15 dB standard deviation | 2.77 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.51 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 44mm dynamic |
| Impedance | - | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 110 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | - | 0.7 lbs (310 g) |
| Frequency Response | - | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Meze 105 Aer:
- AKG K612 vs Meze 105 Aer
- Meze 105 Aer vs Sivga Luan
- Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7b vs Meze 105 Aer
- Meze 105 Aer vs Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
- Sivga Luan vs Austrian Audio Hi-X65
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
Meze 105 Aer: $299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open back tuning is warm, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2 dB above target and the low mids about 1.6 dB above, so voices and instruments sound full and relaxed. Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is lifted about 2.8 dB, which adds clarity to vocals, and the preference score is 79. It uses a single 50 mm dynamic driver and matches the Sivga Luan on rating at the same price.
Cons: An 8 dB dip near 8.8 kHz and treble about 2.6 dB below target take the shimmer off cymbals and sibilance, so the top end can sound dull and veiled. A 4.4 dB peak near 4 kHz adds some forwardness to vocals. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Meze 105 Aer review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.15 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.51 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.9 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 | +10.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 51 Hz | -8.2 dB | 0.36 |
| Peak | 1,943 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.54 |
| Peak | 8,128 Hz | +5.6 dB | 1.84 |
| Peak | 5,283 Hz | -3.8 dB | 0.58 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 470 Hz | +0.8 dB | 2.44 |
| Peak | 4,703 Hz | +3.1 dB | 5.89 |
| Peak | 5,659 Hz | -1.5 dB | 5.63 |
| Peak | 4,063 Hz | -1.3 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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