Short answer: the Stax SR-X1. It ranks #112 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $571.49; the HIFIMAN Audivina ranks #125, rated 3.9/5, and costs $633.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Stax SR-X1 does well: A preference score of 81 in oratory1990’s measurement is excellent for an electrostatic headphone, with a smoothness of 2.62 dB and a neutral tilt of 0.06. Watch for: Sub-bass under 60 Hz is about 8 dB below target and the bass range is 4 dB low, so kick drums and bass synths lack rumble and weight.
Why pick the HIFIMAN Audivina: The closed back planar design isolates noise and keeps sound from leaking, which suits shared rooms better than most planar headphones. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 8 dB below target under 60 Hz and the rest of the spectrum sits a couple of dB under, so deep bass and kick drum impact are lacking and the presentation can feel thin and laid back.
Buy the Stax SR-X1. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HIFIMAN Audivina and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
A preference score of 81 in oratory1990’s measurement is excellent for an electrostatic headphone, with a smoothness of 2.62 dB and a neutral tilt of 0.06.
Amazon $571.49 eBay
The closed back planar design isolates noise and keeps sound from leaking, which suits shared rooms better than most planar headphones.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Stax SR-X1 | HIFIMAN Audivina | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $571.49 | $633.99 |
| Ranked | #112 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #125 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation | 2.41 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 38 Hz (-8.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Planar magnetic |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB SPL/100V | 97 dB |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (234 g) | 1 lbs (470 g) |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 55kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | - | 20 ohms |
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