Short answer: the Sony MDR-M1ST. It ranks #164 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $277.91; the Austrian Audio Hi-X55 ranks #178, rated 2.9/5, and costs $315.71, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the Sony MDR-M1ST: A wired closed-back studio monitor with a 40mm driver, 24 ohms and 103 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loudly from a phone or interface without extra amplification. The tradeoff: The Harman score of 62 means the response drifts noticeably from what most listeners prefer.
Why pick the Austrian Audio Hi-X55: The closed back blocks outside noise and keeps sound from leaking, so it works in shared rooms and studios. Watch for: oratory1990’s measurement shows a deep 9.9 dB dip near 2.3 kHz and presence about 3.9 dB below target, so vocals and guitars sound recessed and distant.
Buy the Sony MDR-M1ST. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Austrian Audio Hi-X55 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony MDR-M1ST | Austrian Audio Hi-X55 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $277.91 | $315.71 |
| Ranked | #164 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #178 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.97 dB standard deviation | 3.63 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 44mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 24 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW | 118 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (215 g) | 0.7 lbs (305 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony MDR-M1ST:
- Sony MDR-M1ST vs OLLO S4R
- Sony MDR-M1ST vs Focal Listen Professional
- OLLO S4R vs Austrian Audio Hi-X55
- Austrian Audio Hi-X55 vs KLH Ultimate One
- Austrian Audio Hi-X55 vs Focal Listen Professional
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
Sony MDR-M1ST: $277.91 Amazon eBay
Pros: A wired closed-back studio monitor with a 40mm driver, 24 ohms and 103 dB/mW sensitivity, so it plays loudly from a phone or interface without extra amplification. Its Harman preference score of 62 in crinacle’s measurement puts it near the middle of the pack. At 215 g it is light for a full-size studio headphone, and the closed back provides some isolation.
Cons: The Harman score of 62 means the response drifts noticeably from what most listeners prefer. There is no microphone and no wireless option, so it is for wired listening only. The price is high for the score, and the Fairphone Fairbuds XL and the Bose QuietComfort 35 II have higher ratings.
Full Sony MDR-M1ST review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.97 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (215 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 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 | +8.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,393 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 1,534 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.56 |
| Peak | 86 Hz | -6.3 dB | 0.46 |
| Peak | 250 Hz | +3.6 dB | 3.14 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 450 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.33 |
| Peak | 3,737 Hz | -1.6 dB | 5.19 |
| Peak | 2,997 Hz | +1.3 dB | 4.44 |
| Peak | 35 Hz | +1.0 dB | 4.47 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Austrian Audio Hi-X55: $315.71 Amazon eBay
Pros: The closed back blocks outside noise and keeps sound from leaking, so it works in shared rooms and studios. A 25 ohm load and 118 dB/V sensitivity let it run loudly from a phone or laptop, and it weighs a moderate 305 g. Bass sits about 1.1 dB above target with sub-bass still within 6 dB down to 20 Hz, which suits listeners after a warm, bass-leaning balance.
Cons: oratory1990’s measurement shows a deep 9.9 dB dip near 2.3 kHz and presence about 3.9 dB below target, so vocals and guitars sound recessed and distant. Sub-bass averages 4.1 dB below target, so the deepest rumble is lighter than the midbass suggests. Its preference score of 56 sits far from the Harman target.
Full Austrian Audio Hi-X55 review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.63 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 44mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 118 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (305 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 | +1.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 138 Hz | -7.0 dB | 1.32 |
| Peak | 2,373 Hz | +7.7 dB | 1.17 |
| Peak | 1,284 Hz | -7.8 dB | 2.01 |
| Peak | 53 Hz | +2.7 dB | 0.80 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 472 Hz | +2.6 dB | 1.22 |
| Peak | 234 Hz | -1.7 dB | 2.33 |
| Peak | 946 Hz | -1.7 dB | 3.22 |
| Peak | 6,612 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons