80 MINI REVIEWS
A rapid-fire round-up of sample libraries, ROMplers and music gear
Austrian Audio Hi-X55 £249
Headphones are becoming more popular as the alternative way of monitoring music. The obvious benefits are the space they take up (or don’t take up) and their more neighbour-friendly volume. The fact that they have come on so much technology-wise over recent years has also helped. Austrian Audio are newcomers to the field, a company who have only been around for three years but who have already made a great impact with a couple of microphones.
At 305g, the ‘phones are pretty light in weight but boast specs that are anything but. With a frequency response of 5Hz to 28kHz that’s more than enough for all humans (why not get your dog to join in), and the impedance of 25 Ohms means they will work well with portable devices such as mobile phones. Their closed back design means that they are great for mixing on the move as you’ll get less interference from the outside world – nor will you interfere so much with said world – although we have to say that, generally speaking, we’re big fans of open back headphones that just give you a wider and more immersive experience.
With just one 3m cable and a soft carrying case, there’s not much in the way of extras. However, the headphones are comfortable and sit well for longer listening sessions. The 44mm driver design is, according to AA, the optimal size for headphones, as it “ensures professional performance in the Hi-X, moves a lot of air and eliminates ‘wobbling’ of the diaphragm”.
In use, the feared lack of space that closedback headphones sometimes deliver compared to open doesn’t materialise – these are lovely, the mix swirling widely around your head and the sonic insulation helps make the listening experience more intimate than you’d expect. Initially the response sounds a little mid forward and bass is lacking but the ‘phones seem to settle, revealing your mix secrets gradually as you get used to them. There are perhaps more accurate mix headphones but they can often take your head off. These offer a more balanced and comfortable approach – and a mix experience we’ve grown to love.
n9/ 10n