Embracing the logic that you can’t have too much of a good thing, Austrian Audio has expanded its Hi-X6 headphone range with the launch of a new model, the Hi-X60. And, like Liam Neeson in Taken, this has a very particular set of skills.
Designed for recording,and FOH, the Hi-X60 has the same sonic signature as the other members of the Hi-X6 family - expect a natural, spacious sound - but offers an over-ear, closed-back design that makes it particularly suited to use in loud environments (in the studio or front-of-house in a live setting, for example).
This design both prevents sound from escaping and isolates the wearer from external noise. So, bleed from the headphones into a recording mic should be minimised - the memory foam ear cushions help with this - and the passive noise suppression should improve the signal-to-noise, meaning less level is required and the listener’s hearing is protected.
The Hi-X60 features a 44mm Hi-X driver that’s designed to deliver clear, detailed sound across the frequency spectrum, so you can trust these headphones when you’re making mixing and mastering decisions. What’s more, you can expect the kind of large, open soundstage that you’d usually expect from open-back headphones.
Comfort was also a priority for Austrian Audio when designing the Hi-X60. The ear cups are internally spacious, and the memory foam padding on the headband has a cut-out for the head seam that reduces contact pressure. All of which means that you’ll be happy wearing these cans for long periods of time.
The Hi-X60 is built for life on the road, too, with the folding design and all-metal components helping with portability and durability. And if anything ever does need replacing, rest assured that many of these components - including the earpiece, ear pads and cable - can be swapped out for new ones with ease.
Speaking of cables, you get two in the box, measuring 1.2m and 3m. These are matched to the technical specifications of the headphones to ensure optimal performance, with a locking mechanism keeping them securely in place when in use. Both come with a 3.5mm gold-plated stereo jack, which is convertible to a 6.3mm jack via the supplied screw-in adapter.
The Hi-X60 headphones are available now priced at $429/£349/€399. Find out more on the Austrian Audio website.