Austrian Audio have today announced their first ever open-backed headphone design, the Hi-X65. Based around the same high-excursion (hence 'Hi-X') 44mm driver as the company's successful closed-back Hi-X50 and Hi-X55 models, the newcomer is designed to be used in mixing and mastering contexts — two critical listening applications for which the low-distortion nature of an open-backed design is ideal.
Much has been made of the Hi-X65's comfort and durability, with memory foam earcups employed in service of the former, and both earpads and headbands being replaceable in the name of longevity.
The Hi-X65 headphones ship with a carry bag and two cables (of 1.2m and 3m in length), and can apparently be driven by almost any source — from mobile phones to high-end headphone amps — thanks to their low impedance of 25Ω. They're available in Europe from this month, priced at £319/€349, and will go on sale in the States from July, for $419. An in-depth SOS review is already under way...
