Наушники — Austrian Audio Hi-X20

The Hi-X20 is a wired over-ear headphone with closed-back cups, designed in Vienna by Austrian Audio and announced in October 2024 as an affordable member of the Hi-X family. The maker lists it at USD 169, GBP 119.99 and EUR 129.95, which places it below the Hi-X60 in the range. It shares its Hi-X driver approach with the more expensive models, packaged in a compact and light housing meant for studio, home and mobile listening.

Key specs that matter

Austrian Audio quotes a frequency range of 12 Hz to 24 kHz, an impedance of 25 ohm and a sensitivity of 113 dB SPL per volt, with a maximum input power of 150 mW. Weight without the cable is 255 g, and the headphone measures 205 x 170 x 80 mm. A detachable 3 m cable ends in a 3.5 mm plug, so the cable can be replaced without tools if it is damaged.

Engineering and use context

Each earcup holds a 44 mm driver built with the Hi-Xcursion, or high excursion, concept. A ring magnet surrounds the voice coil, which Austrian Audio says gives a strong magnetic field and allows more airflow around the diaphragm than a conventional pot magnet. Copper-clad aluminium wire forms the voice coil, a choice that keeps moving mass low, and the membrane is made very stiff so that its own resonances are damped. The closed-back shell keeps outside noise out and limits leakage towards nearby people, which matters when tracking vocals near a live microphone or listening in an office or on public transport. Spare parts are sold separately, including a Hi-XBCUK ear cushion replacement kit at USD 25, so worn pads can be renewed rather than the whole headphone replaced. The brand also offers an HXHC hard case at USD 39 for transport between studio and home.

Pairing

Being easy to drive, the Hi-X20 needs little drive and works directly from a phone adapter, a laptop jack, an audio interface or a mixing desk headphone output. Two optional cables widen the choice of sources - the HXC1m4 is a shorter 1.4 m lead for portable use at USD 25, and the HXCB3 is a full-length lead with a 2.5 mm TRS connector at USD 29. A dedicated headphone amplifier is not a requirement, although a clean source whose output impedance stays well below the headphone impedance keeps the driver under firm electrical control at all listening levels.

Alternatives

Within the same Austrian Audio range, the Hi-X15 is another closed-back over-ear model positioned at the entry point of the Hi-X line.